Field Level Media
Aug 4, 2021
George Springer had four hits, including a solo home run and a two-run double, and the Toronto Blue Jays held on to defeat the visiting Cleveland Indians 8-6 Wednesday night.
Corey Dickerson added a two-run double to help the Blue Jay take a 2-1 lead in the four-game series.
Owen Miller had a three-run double and Jose Ramirez and Oscar Mercado added solo homers for the Indians, who outhit the Blue Jays 15-10. Mercado had four hits.
Toronto left-hander Steven Matz (9-6) allowed no runs, six hits and one walk while striking out eight in six innings.
Cleveland right-hander J.C. Mejia (1-7) allowed eight runs, seven hits and four walks in 2 1/3 innings to increase his ERA to 8.75.
Toronto scored four runs in the first. Springer led off with his 13th homer of the season. It was his second straight home run leading off a game and the 42nd of his career leading off a game.
Marcus Semien singled, Bo Bichette walked and Dickerson hit a two-run double with two outs. Randal Grichuk hit an RBI single.
Toronto added one run in the second. Springer singled, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled and Semien walked to load the bases. A run scored on Bichette's fielder's choice grounder.
Toronto took an 8-0 lead in the third. Grichuk and Breyvic Valera walked with one out. Reese McGuire doubled past first base to score a run. Justin Garza replaced Mejia and gave up Springer's two-run double.
Trevor Richards replaced Matz and worked around a single and a walk in the seventh.
Cleveland had five straight hits -- including Miller's three-run double -- against Tayler Saucedo to open the eighth. Adam Cimber took over with runners at first and third and none out and gave up Bradley Zimmer's sacrifice fly before retiring the next two batters.
Ramirez hit his 24th homer of the season and Mercado added his second in the ninth inning, both against Jordan Romano.
Toronto put right-hander Joakim Soria (right middle finger inflammation) on the injured list Wednesday. Saucedo was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo.
--Field Level Media