Toronto Blue Jays players share thoughts on record 8 run first inning, offensive mindset going forward
Photo credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
The Toronto Blue Jays offensive explosion in Sunday afternoon's 10-4 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks was more than just a moral victory, it was a turning point.
The Blue Jays’ offence broke out in a big way Sunday afternoon, matching a franchise-record with eight runs in the first inning on their way to an easy win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
It’s been a while since the Jays offence looked like the Toronto Blue Jays offence.
In a postgame interview with The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon, right-fielder Nathan Lukes reiterated that notion.
“That was the Blue Jays that everyone saw,” Nathan Lukes said. “That’s what we were missing. Just got to take it with us.”
Nathan Lukes had SEVEN hits this weekend! #BlueJays50
The offensive explosion was much-needed for a Blue Jays team that had entered play Sunday last in the American League East at 7-13.
OUTS RECORDED: 1 RUNS SCORED: 8
“We’ve been looking for a game like this,” John Schneider told Bannon.
Blue Jays confident they can toe the line until Springer, Kirk and Barger return
Much of the Blue Jays early-season struggles have come at the plate, particularly with runners in scoring position.
The Jays are 23rd in MLB in total runs scored (81) and have hit the sixth-fewest home runs across the league (17) entering Sunday.
They’re also second-worst in team OPS (.583) with runners in scoring position.
Top 5 #BlueJays positive takeaways from yesterday
🤘⚾️🤘
1. Nate Lukes 3/5 with 2 doubles, 3RBI, slumpbuster 🔥
2. Kaz Okamoto 2/5 with HR, 3 RBI, BB, slumpbuster 🔥
3. Vladdy 3/5, 2b, AVG up to .333 🔥
4. Ernie 2/5, 2b, AVG up to .302🔥
5. Gausman 6 IP, 2 ER, 4 K's, 1 BB 🔥
🤘⚾️🤘
1. Nate Lukes 3/5 with 2 doubles, 3RBI, slumpbuster 🔥
2. Kaz Okamoto 2/5 with HR, 3 RBI, BB, slumpbuster 🔥
3. Vladdy 3/5, 2b, AVG up to .333 🔥
4. Ernie 2/5, 2b, AVG up to .302🔥
5. Gausman 6 IP, 2 ER, 4 K's, 1 BB 🔥
Myles Straw has also contributed in a big way while filling in for the injured Daulton Varsho.
“It’s definitely good to see that action,” Myles Straw said. “I mean, we haven’t really had a lot of that, or just offence going in general. So just to see it and to fully believe it. Now we know we can do it.”
While Toronto’s Sunday showcase was largely filled with singles, the power did return.
BIG OAK'S BIG FLY! ザ・ビッグ・オーク!
The Blue Jays combined for 14 hard-hit balls (over 95 mph), including three over 110 mph, something a manager loves to see.
“I think we got to just shift the mindset a little bit,” Schneider said, “in terms of what kind of swings we’re taking early in counts, especially. I think that a lot of these guys can hit with two strikes and can put the ball in play. But just up until that point, there hasn’t been as much slug, there hasn’t been enough hard hit balls.”
With George Springer, Addison Barger and Alejandro Kirk on the injured list, those struggles make some sense, writes Bannon.
Those three combined for 36 percent of the team’s homers and 30 percent of their runners batted in last year.
Eventually, those players will come back. In the meantime, the Blue Jays must find a way to score without them.
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