TORONTO — After Taylor Ward provided a essential tackle Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Bowden Francis’ newest robust begin, fellow starter Chris Bassitt made certain he had his teammate’s again.
Francis struck out a career-high 12 in Toronto’s 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday. He was engaged on a no-hitter earlier than Ward hit a leadoff homer within the ninth inning.
The 28-year-old Francis was named AL Participant of the Week final week after going 2-0 with a 0.64 ERA in two begins. Within the first of these, he pitched seven innings in a street win over the Angels on Aug. 12, permitting one run and one hit whereas putting out eight.
Ward struck out, was hit by a pitch and flew out earlier than he related for his seventeenth homer on Saturday.
“I assumed that every little thing was hittable,” Ward mentioned of Francis after the loss. “Possibly to different guys he made higher pitches. A number of guys have been speaking about his break up and that being on. However personally, I did not assume it was something particular.”
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Whereas Francis was being interviewed from the dugout in the course of the tv broadcast of Sunday’s recreation, Bassitt stood over his teammate’s shoulder holding a handwritten signal that learn “15 innings, 2 hits, 20 Ks. Hittable + Nothing Particular.”
Supervisor John Schneider mentioned Bassitt and fellow right-hander Kevin Gausman have “sort of taken Bowden below their wing,” including that he likes seeing his gamers stick up for one another.
“I really like when the blokes have one another’s again,” Schneider mentioned, “and I feel Bowden’s outcomes in opposition to [the Angels] converse for themselves.”
Toronto defeated the Angels 8-2 on Sunday to brush the seven-game season collection. The Blue Jays have gained 11 of their previous 13 in opposition to the Angels, relationship to final season.