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Even as red-hot newcomer Will Wagner sat on the bench with a lefty starting for the hometown Angels, the Blue Jays had their hitting shoes on in earning just their third series sweep of the season following a 9-2 win on Wednesday night.
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In two previous games, both resulting in Toronto wins, the lefty Wagner went 5-for-8 with three doubles and three RBIs. The Jays wound up outscoring the anemic Angels 19-5.
But whether it was a right-hander or a left-hander, on this night it was immaterial. Six of the Jays hits on Wednesday went for extra bases, including three home runs.
Ernie Clement, who later tripled, ignited the fuse when he went deep for a two-run belt in the second inning off southpaw Tyler Anderson.
Then came a three-run moon shot off the bat of Daulton Varsho in the fifth inning, followed by a two-run homer in the ninth by, who else, Vlad Guerrero Jr., his 25th of the season.
Jose Berrios was on point through seven innings, allowing only a fifth-inning homer to backup Angels catcher Matt Thaiss — the 27th long ball the right-hander has yielded this season.
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Despite the final score, it wasn’t an overly clean game for the Jays. Guerrero got thrown out trying to stretch a double into a triple while the Jays, as a team, struck out 13 times.
Clement made a throwing error after he fielded a ground ball at shortstop, but more than atoned by making a heads-up play to score from third base on a pop-out caught in shallow right field.
RARE VARSHO MISS
Even the most improbable catches are turned into routine outs when Varsho tracks down fly balls in the outfield. He’s prevented balls from leaving the park, sacrificed his body by running into the wall, doing just about anything and everything to record the out.
It’s why a second-inning ball off the bat of Taylor Ward was so atypical. Simply put, Varsho missed the ball as he jumped up for it near the wall in centre field.
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It wasn’t an easy play to make, but Varsho routinely comes up with such catches. To the naked eye, it appeared he mis-timed his jump.
The outfielder certainly made up for it with his bat, going 3-for-5 with three runs and three RBIs.
SPRINGER SEETHES
In the grand scheme of things, George Springer getting tossed in the top of the seventh inning Tuesday isn’t going to send shockwaves through MLB, though a fine may be issued.
At the same time, it was curious how a pitch that obviously went off Springer’s back foot was ruled differently after the Blue Jays asked for a video review.
Springer has been scuffling at the plate during the month of August and values every at-bat. But he immediately knew he was hit by Angels reliever Kenny Rosenberg.
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Strangely, no one overseeing the review process saw the ball getting redirected once it hit Springer, who argued with home plate umpire Manny Gonzalez.
The Jays veteran, whose ejection was only his career-second, lost his lid when the review did not overturn the call.
“He (Gonzalez) didn’t say anything,’’ said Springer. “I mean, I know the rule, he knows the rule. I was just kind of in shock at the call. If you argue the call in that situation it’s an automatic ejection. I get it, I know the rules.
“He just explained to me what happened. He said it’s not on him and I get it. At that point, it goes to New York and they made the call.”
BERRIOS GETS DINGED
There was no question when Berrios was struck on the side of his right foot following a line drive up the middle in the home half of the third inning. He had the presence of mind to secure the ball before getting the lead runner at second base.
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Once the inning ended, Berrios walked to the dugout in some discomfort.
In the fourth, Berrios began the inning by hitting former Blue Jay Kevin Pillar with a pitch, but induced a double-play grounder and get out of the inning on another groundout.
When Berrios walked to the dugout this time, he showed no signs of duress. In fact, he looked quite comfortable.
The right-hander allowed just two hits and a walk in his 7.0 innings and struck out five to improve his record to 11-9.
UP NEXT
The Jays are off on Thursday, before opening a three-game weekend set at Wrigley Field against former pitcher Nate Pearson and the Chicago Cubs on Friday afternoon.
fzicarelli@postmedia.com
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