Ryu finally makes home debut in Blue Jays rout of Cleveland
Author of the article:
Ryan WolstatPublishing date:
Aug 03, 2021 • 20 minutes ago • 3 minute read • Join the conversation
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu (99) delivers against the Cleveland Indians during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Photo by Kevin Sousa /USA TODAY Sports Article content It took over 1.5 years, but Hyun Jin Ryu finally pitched in front of the home fans in Toronto on Tuesday. And the big lefty didn’t disappoint.
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Article contentRyu had signed a four-year, $80 million deal with the Jays in December 2019, never thinking it would take past the midway point of the 2021 season for him to pitch at Rogers Centre.
But here we are.
Ryu made a strong first in-person impression on Jays fans, striking out the first two batters he faced.
Building off one of his best starts of the season last week against Boston, Ryu matched his season high with seven innings of solid work. Ryu struck out eight, didn’t walk a batter and gave up seven hits on the way to his 11th win.
American League player of the week George Springer led off a game with a home run for the second time in a week and 41st in his career, doubled and scored a runner on a sacrifice fly to back Ryu, while Teoscar Hernandez went 3-for-3 with three RBI, including a two-run home run in the first against Zach Plesac.
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Article contentPlesac, the nephew of long-time Blue Jays reliever Dan Plesac, managed to stick around for five innings, but gave up a career-worst 10 hits, as well as six earned runs in the loss.
The Jays improved to 55-49, moving three games in front of Cleveland in the Wild Card race.
Cleveland got on the board against Ryu when Harold Ramirez scored from first base on a Bobby Bradley double. Ramirez could have been thrown out at the plate, but Marcus Semien’s relay throw bounced away from the catcher’s grasp.
But the Jays got one back when Breyvic Valera, getting a rare outing at third base, knocked in his first run of the season.
Springer doubled in his third at-bat of the game and later scored on a Bo Bichette sacrifice fly.
Consecutive doubles by Franmil Reyes and Harold Ramirez with two outs in the sixth brought Cleveland’s second run home. But Ryu nearly made a great catch on a line drive come-backer, but the ball bounced off his glove. Ryu stayed in the game to a loud ovation from the crowd and then notched a strikeout with two on to end the inning.
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Article contentCleveland never threatened again.
Toronto leads MLB in home runs, slugging and team OPS. At home specifically, the Jays lead all teams in home batting average. The bats haven’t slowed down since the return to the team’s third “home†of the season. It’s real one, with the Jays averaging just shy of five runs and going 4-1 so far since Friday’s homecoming.
Ryu now has wins in four of his last five starts and the Jays even managed to win his off-game, July 24 against the Mets. Toronto is now 14-7 in Ryu’s starts this season.
The teams will play more before Boston comes to town for a big series.
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DICKERSON DEBUTS
Corey Dickerson made his Blue Jays debut, batting sixth as the team’s designated hitter. Dickerson will eventually give Toronto a good defensive option in left field, as well as a much-needed lefty bat.
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Article contentTo make room third baseman Cavan Biggio went to the 10-day injured list with mid-back tightness.
Jays manager Charlie Montoyo praised Biggio for toughing his way through a variety of ailments, including a neck issue, and said it was a good time for him to get some rest.
“He’s been dealing with it for a while. He’s been playing through it for a bit, which I’m not surprised,†Montoyo said.
“He’s been dealing with that the whole time. It’s been getting better, but the more he plays, it gets worse. The one thing about him, he doesn’t complain, he plays. He’s playing hurt. They don’t make them like that anymore. People get hurt, they say ‘I’m out,’†Montoyo said.
Dickerson went 0-for-4.
AROUND THE BASES
Montoyo said Alek Manoah will pitch Friday’s series opener against Boston. Jose Berrios and Robbie Ray will pitch the doubleheader Saturday (order still to be determined) and Ryu Sunday … Outfielder Jonathan Davis was claimed off waivers by the New York Yankees. Reliever Tyler Chatwood cleared waivers and became a free agent. Jacob Barnes also cleared waivers and went to Triple-A Buffalo … Toronto has used 36 pitchers this season, tied with Arizona for the most in MLB … Dan Plesac spent parts of five seasons with the Blue Jays in two separate stints. He was a first-round draft pick though, his nephew faced a longer road to the Majors, going in the 12th round 33 years later.
@WolstatSun
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