(Toronto) Despite a difficult start to the season, Quebecer Abraham Toro still has the confidence of Scott Servais.
Posted at 9:41 a.m.
The Seattle Mariners manager had inserted the versatile infielder and ambidextrous hitter into the front row of the offensive role for the first game of his three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays earlier this week, although the 25-year-old baseball player was posting offensive averages of .163/.226/.327 heading into the game, which the Jays won 6-2.
“He has good momentum these days. I know that’s not what his stats say, but he never looks crazy, Servais told reporters. The versatility he gives us by being able to play second and third base makes him a good guy to have in his roster.
“With (Yusei) Kikuchi on the mound, who is really badass against lefties, […] So I thought it was a good idea to put Toro at the top of the attacking role. »
Toro didn’t have a great night at bat, however, going zero in five appearances. He could have turned the game around when he came to the plate with the bases loaded and a single out in the seventh to put the Jays at 3-1, but he hit a weak fly ball to Teoscar Hernandez, too close to allow the Mariners to close the gap.
The Jays came to close the books in the next half-inning. After a single from Bo Bichette, a walk to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and a bad pitch from Wyatt Mills, ace hitter Alejandro Kirk drove the two runners home with a solid arrow that pierced the infield.
Bichette had a great night on offense, getting three hits, including his fourth homer of the season, which opened the scoring late in the first, in addition to producing his sixth run. He was also very effective in defense, notably ending the threat of the Mariners in the seventh, negotiating the awkward rolling of Ty France with the official in his way to make the relay.
“It was one of the big plays of the game,” manager Charlie Montoyo said of the strikeout as the Jays led by just two points. He didn’t panic. »
“I noticed that the referee was there, but it was more the effect of the ball that worried me. It’s like she’s spinning sideways,” the shortstop explained.
Using a single in the fourth, Santiago Espinal meanwhile extended his streak with at least one hit to 10.
On the mound, Kikuchi (2-1) was very effective, limiting the Mariners to one hit and three walks in six innings of work. He struck out six batters and lowered his ERA by nearly a full run to 3.38.
“Not only was he throwing catches, but all of his throws were good: his rapid, his slippery, his cut rapid,” Montoyo said. I always said that once he had regained control over all his shots, it would come back. In his last three outings, he has an ERA of nearly 1.50. »
“About three weeks ago, Pete (Walker, the pitching coach) and I had a good chat and he suggested I use my rapid more,” Kikuchi said through his excellent translator, Kevin Ando. . I wasn’t always completely confident in that throw, but we built little by little on each start and now I’m really confident in my rapid. »
Eugenio Suarez added his seventh homer of the season in the loss, which went to Chris Flexen (1-6).
Served reassuring
Acquired last year from the Houston Astros in return for pitchers Rafael Montero and Kendall Graveman (since moved to the Chicago White Sox), Toro had an interesting end to the season in Seattle, maintaining averages of .252/.328/, 357 with 11 doubles, five home runs, 26 RBIs and 18 runs scored in 60 games.
The Mariners, however, acquired second baseman Adam Frazier and third baseman Suarez, which suggested that Toro could get little playing time. The Quebecer was however reassured by a phone call from Servais.
“It was a good discussion. Scott told me I was going to play often. »
Servais didn’t lie, Toro has been used in 33 of the Mariners’ 36 games, including Monday night’s duel: 12 times on second sack, nine times on third, 10 times as designated hitter and another on first.
“I like Abraham Toro, assured the manager. He does a lot of good things in the batting box. That it is ambidextrous gives us great flexibility. »
“It shows that I’m able to be useful to the team in different roles,” Toro said. All good teams have this kind of player in their formation. It is a great pride for me. »
“It’s only hard if you want it to be hard,” Servais said of Toro’s varied use. But I think Abraham likes those kinds of challenges. […] They’re baseball players: they can’t tell themselves they’re going to be successful in just one position or one place in the offensive role. You’re going to have a very short career if you think like that. Abraham is ready to do whatever it takes to help this team and he is confident no matter where or how we employ him. »
“Yes it’s a challenge, but I’m always ready,” added Toro. Every day I work on a new position. No matter where I strike in the role, I try to have the same approach. »