Danny Jansen hit a three-run double in the eighth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays completed their three-game series sweep against the Arizona Diamondbacks by winning 7-5 on Sunday.
Santiago Espinal, Kevin Kiermaier, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Daulton Varsho also produced points for the Blue Jays (53-41), which won a fourth straight game. The Jays have also won eight of their last nine meetings.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said he was happy with his team’s success with runners in scoring position.
“You saw the sacrifice balloon [de Guerrero] ? A simple sacrifice fly gave us the lead, then there were some really good at-bats from Whit [Merrifield] and “Jano” [Jansen], which sent a drop ball down the fairway, Schneider said. We’ve had some great at-bats. »
Starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi allowed two runs, only one of which was earned, on two hits and three walks in four and two-thirds innings.
The win went to reliever Jay Jackson (2-0). Erik Swanson snuffed out the Diamondbacks’ comeback attempt in the ninth and was credited with a second save this season.
Ketel Marte drove in three runs with a double in the top of the ninth inning for the Diamondbacks (52-42), who still suffered a fourth straight loss.
Tommy Henry (5-2) gave up three earned runs on seven hits and walked one in four and a third innings. Scott McGough was charged four earned runs in relief.
Trailing 2-0, the Blue Jays tied the game late in the second inning. Espinal drove Whit Merrifield home with a double, before scoring himself on a Kiermaier single.
The Blue Jays took the lead in the fifth thanks to a sacrifice fly from Guerrero.
Jansen’s three-point double against McGough widened the gap in the eighth. Varsho allowed Jansen to cross home plate by hitting a single off Justin Martinez.
These insurance points were helpful. Mitch White walked three times in the ninth before being replaced by Swanson. Marte closed the gap to 7-5 with a three-point double, but Emmanuel Rivera then kicked in a ball to end the game.
The Blue Jays scored two in the eighth to take the lead on Saturday and five in the seventh on Friday to break a 2-2 tie.
“I think if you look at the team’s approach and what happens in those situations, you’re going to find that we end up with some good scores,” Jansen said. It’s something we focus on. We want to end up with a 2-0 score and then try to take advantage of it. »
“I think everyone managed to contribute,” he added. From the first batter to the ninth batter, everyone managed to be aggressive when the ball was in the strike zone. »