Whit Merrifield drove in four runs and the Toronto Blue Jays gave the Pittsburgh Pirates a 10-1 correction on Sunday.
Merrifield hit his first homer of the season, good for three runs, to help the Blue Jays sweep the three-game streak and extend the Pirates’ backhand streak to seven.
Merrifield gave the Blue Jays the lead with a first-inning RBI single after a 95-minute rain delay. He increased the lead to 4-0 in the third, when he jumped on a curve ball from Roansy Contreras (3-3).
“That’s what this team is capable of,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. You don’t have to be so dependent on the first four batters. … They’re a pretty dangerous team. »
The Torontonians outscored the Pirates 22-3 in the sweep, rebounding from five straight losses.
The Pirates were outscored 44-9 in their worst losing streak since an eight-game losing streak last September. They started the season with a 20-8 record, which was their best start to the campaign since 1992, when they won a division title.
“I don’t think anyone expected this pace to continue at the level we’ve been playing at,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. During this period, we played complete matches, which is not the case today. We don’t throw very well, we don’t hit very well either. »
Yusei Kikuchi (5-0) allowed just four hits in six-and-a-third innings. He allowed five runs in just four and a third innings against the Boston Red Sox on May 2.
“Using my fastball effectively has been very beneficial for me,” Kikuchi said. More than my performances on the mound, I’m happy the team won. I am happy to be able to help the team win. »
Contreras allowed five runs and nine hits in five innings on the mound. He gave up nine runs in 10 1/3 innings in his last two starts.
Carlos Santana hit a run single in the eighth inning. Jordan Romano came on as relief when the bases were all full, but ended the Pirates’ threat by striking out Jack Suwinski and forcing Miguel Andujar out on a fly.
“Right now we just can’t hit big hits,” Shelton conceded. The hits we were getting earlier in the season, we were able to hit them again and take the lead. Right now, we’re just missing that hit to maybe take the pressure off a bit. »
Daulton Varsho and Kevin Kiermaier both hit a two-run homer on a five-run ninth inning for the Blue Jays. Varsho catapulted an offering from Chase De Jong over the fence and the ball ended its swing in the Allegheny River.
Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds was shut out in four appearances at the plate to end his 11-game streak with at least one hit.