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Instant Reaction: Alejandro Kirk hit his first home run of the season as the Jays salvage the series with a 3-1 win over the Dodgers
? John E. Sokolowski - USA Today

Instant Reaction: Alejandro Kirk hit his first home run of the season as the Jays salvage the series with a 3-1 win over the Dodgers

Originally posted on Bluejaysnation  |  By Ryley Delaney  |  Last updated 4/28/24

Maybe the Baby Blue jerseys are the answer to all the Blue Jays’ problems.

On Sunday afternoon, the Blue Jays salvaged the final game of a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, defeating the Shohei Ohtani-led team 3-1. This was their first game in the Baby Blue jerseys this season, and with the win, their record moves to 14-15.

All of Toronto’s runs came in the bottom of the second. Davis Schneider hit a massive double after a Justin Turner walk, putting runners on second and third with no outs. Daulton Varsho grounded in a run, as did Isiah Kiner-Falefa to make it a 2-0 game with two outs.

The next batter up was Alejandro Kirk, who hit a solo home run, his first of the season. Nice swing for the oppo-taco, and this is what we need more of. With three hits in three at bats, Kirk is now slashing .206/.287/.270 with a 71 wRC+, up from 40 before the start of the game.

Kevin Gausman had a great game, more on that later, but his shutout was ruined in the top of the sixth as Canadian Freddie Freeman hit his second home run of the season to make it a 3-1 game.

The Dodgers had another opportunity in the top of the eighth, a Yimi García walked two batters (one intentionally) and allowed a double, but after striking out former Jay Teoscar Hernández, Tim Mayza got Max Muncy to fly out to deep centre. George Springer made a terrific catch on the first pitch of the top of the ninth, ending any potential for a Dodgers’ rally.

Things worth mentioning…

Kevin Gausman is starting to look like his old self, finishing with a line of 7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K with a home run given up to Freeman. His ERA dropped over a full run, going from 5.57 to 4.50. Great stuff.

Alejandro Kirk had his best game of the season, finishing with three hits in three at bats. Kirk may never be the hitter he was in 2022, but if he can be at least an average hitter and gold glove-calibre defence, there’s a spot on this team.

Yimi García had a rough outing, but with Tim Mayza generating a deep, deep, line out, García’s ERA dropped to an astounding 0.68 in 13.1 innings pitched.

Daulton Varsho went hitless, but made an astounding catch in centre field, surprise, surprise. At this rate, he’ll be the Jays’ All-Star representative. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had two hits as well on the day.

Up next: The Blue Jays continue their home stand on Monday, as they’ll host a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals. As you may recall, the Royals took three of four from the Jays last week.

me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.

This article first appeared on Bluejaysnation and was syndicated with permission.

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