For the first time since his regrettable meltdown in Baltimore, Blue Jays pitcher Jeff Hoffman returned to the mound. The hard-throwing righty reliever has been a target for the club's disgruntled fanbase, still remembering his inability to save Game 7 in last fall's World Series. One pitch changed the narrative surrounding Hoffman. One brutal inning in Baltimore, when the Orioles won after he entered the ninth with a four-run lead, was viewed as the last straw, with many calling for Hoffman to be designated for assignment. However, when used to start the seventh inning, Hoffman has proven effective. His appearance on Thursday in Atlanta against baseball's best team was a prime example. Hoffman was perfect against the bottom of the Braves' order, providing a possible template for his future use.
Varland Shines in Relief
Braydon Fisher started the eighth inning and surrendered a one-out home run, cutting the lead to one run. After recording the second out, Fisher was replaced by Louis Varland, who aimed for a four-out save. Having lost four straight games, including a 6-5 walk-off loss to the Orioles, Varland faced the biggest outs of the season. He needed just two pitches to secure the final out in the eighth. The Blue Jays then erupted for four runs in the top of the ninth, fueled by Myles Straw's third hit of the night, as the offense totaled 16 hits. Varland closed out the 7-2 win, concluding a 3-4 road trip. While not ideal, the victory was a step forward.
Three Takeaways from the Game
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. recorded his 19th multi-hit game of the season but had a costly baserunning mistake. The Blue Jays faced Chris Sale, one of MLB's elite pitchers, and managed to get to him. Kazuma Okamoto and Charles McAdoo, both rookies, struggled initially against Sale but later found redemption. Overall, the Jays made Sale work, as his 108-pitch outing and 10 hits allowed were season highs.
Fluharty and Fisher Step Up
Mason Fluharty and Fisher, two of the Jays' least heralded arms, have been used as openers due to injuries in the starting rotation. Another bullpen day looms, but help is on the way. Dylan Cease pitched four innings in a rehab start in Buffalo, allowing five earned runs. Fluharty left a runner at third with one out in the second inning, and Chad Dallas made his MLB debut, recording his first strikeout. The Jays acquired right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson from Minnesota, and manager John Schneider announced he will join the roster on Friday.
Offensive Highlights
The Jays recorded two infield hits in the first three innings, creating traffic against Sale. They scored three runs on RBI singles, marking only the second time this season Sale allowed three runs. A fielder's choice double play ended the third inning with Nathan Lukes thrown out at the plate. Dallas made a nifty behind-the-back play for the final out of the third. He retired the side in order in the fourth. Okamoto added another infield hit in the seventh.
Up next, the Baltimore Orioles visit Toronto for a weekend series. The AL East rivals both hold 30-33 records.
