(Baltimore) Bo Bichette had his best night of his career with three home runs in Game 2 of a doubleheader as the Blue Jays edged the Baltimore Orioles 8-4 on Monday to complete the sweep.
Posted at 9:56 p.m.
Bichette hit a three-run slap off Nick Vespi in the third inning, then added solo homers in the sixth and seventh against Bruce Zimmermann. During the doubleheader, the shortstop had six hits and seven RBIs. He has batted .400 (24 for 60) in his last 15 games.
Bichette hit a line to center field in the ninth when he had the chance to tie the Major League record of four homers in one game. He did, however, match his career best with five RBIs.
In the first game, Kevin Gausman made a triumphant return to Camden Yard and the Blue Jays triumphed 7-3.
Cavan Biggio also sent the ball over the fence in Game 2 for the Blue Jays, who won their fifth straight game. They also extended their lead to 4.5 games over the Orioles in the hunt for the American’s last draft berth.
The Blue Jays and Orioles will meet 10 times in the final 31 days of the season.
Rougned Odor and Adley Rutschman homered for the Orioles in Game 2. The Baltimore club have lost their last three meetings, their longest lethargy since a series of four losses between June 28 and July 2.
Blue Jays starter José Berríos (10-5) allowed three runs and eight hits in six innings. He struck out two batters.
The Orioles were forced to change the starter in Game 2 since Jordan Lyles wasn’t feeling bad. As a substitute, Keegan Akin (3-2) allowed two runs in two and a third innings.
The Blue Jays opened the machine in the sixth inning against Zimmermann with four runs.
Bichette’s three-home run performance is the first by a Blue Jays player since Vladimir Guerrero Jr. against the New York Yankees on April 13.
Teoscar Hernández got his 20e circuit of the campaign in the first game. He helped Gausman (11-9), who was picked by the Orioles fourth overall in the 2012 draft.
Also in Game 1, ambidextrous hitter Anthony Santander homered on both sides of the plate for the Orioles. Orioles starter Mike Baumann (1-3) allowed three runs in five innings in his first major league start.
The Blue Jays activated right-handed gunner Julian Merryweather from the disabled list ahead of Game 2.