Alek Manoah gave up one hit in seven innings of work, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his first homer of the season and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Kansas City Royals 3-0 on Wednesday night.
Manoah (1-0) hadn’t given up a hit until Jackie Bradley Jr. singled after an out in the fifth inning.
Despite struggling with the accuracy of his gear changes, Manoah scored five strikeouts and walked four.
“He took his game up a notch when it was needed,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said.
“He is a fierce competitor. Looks like he has another gear. You trust him in such situations. His competitive side really comes out a lot,” added Schneider.
Jordan Romano closed the door for the Royals in the ninth inning and earned a third save in as many opportunities. The Royals have been cleared for the third time in six games.
The Blue Jays broke the tie in the sixth inning with a Matt Chapman infield groundout that allowed Guerrero to cross the plate with one out.
While there were runners at the ends of the trails, Chapman seemed to have committed a double play. However, Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino was unable to control Bobby Witt Jr.’s low throw.
The Blue Jays added two runs in the eighth, the first after Guerrero Jr. homered as the leadoff batter of the inning to opposite field. Chapman scored the other run with a single.
” [Frapper un circuit au champ opposé] is hard to do in this stadium, in this temperature,” Schneider remarked, alluding to the cold, windy weather that plagued Kansas City.
” It’s impressive. It’s “Vladdy” doing what is expected of “Vladdy”. »
Guerrero Jr. and Daulton Varsho had three hits apiece for the Toronto squad.
Guerrero Jr. said he felt more relaxed at home plate.
“I think when you try too hard, it’s going to get harder. So I try to stay relaxed. I got a good shot to hit, made good contact and it went well. »
In the loss, Zack Greinke (0-2) allowed one run, seven singles and one walk in six innings. He got three strikeouts.