Randal Grichuk extended his recent power surge with two home runs, and the Toronto Blue Jays completed a three-game sweep of the fading Baltimore Orioles with a 5-2 victory Wednesday.
Grichuk hit a solo shot in the second inning and put Toronto ahead for good with a two-run drive in the sixth. He has homered in four straight starts, and all six of his long balls this season have come over the last six games.
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Randal Grichuk extended his recent power surge with two home runs, and the Toronto Blue Jays completed a three-game sweep of the fading Baltimore Orioles with a 5-2 victory Wednesday.
With Grichuk leading the way, Toronto climbed within a game of .500 (10-11) for the first time since Aug. 5.
Baltimore went ahead 2-1 in the fourth. Hanser Alberto hit a leadoff double and scored when right fielder Teoscar Hernández misplayed a single. Hernández made amends later in the inning by throwing out Pat Valaika, who was trying to score on a flyball by Chance Sisco.
Blue Jays: Highly touted pitching prospect Nate Pearson was placed on the 10-day injured list with elbow tightness. The rookie complained of soreness after his outing Tuesday night. Manager Charlie Montoyo said the right-hander was feeling better on Wednesday, but the Jays weren't going to take any chances with the 2017 first-round pick. ... 1B Rowdy Tellez missed a second straight game with a head injury but should be ready to play Thursday, Montoyo said.
Blue Jays: The quirky schedule takes the Blue Jays to Philadelphia for a doubleheader Thursday before they head to Florida for a four-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
In his last at-bat in the eighth, Grichuk hit a liner left that was caught at the warning track. Regardless, he's batting .424 during an eight-game hitting streak that's featured six multi-hit games.
Baltimore Orioles Pat Valaika (74) is tagged out at home by Toronto Blue Jays catcher Reese McGuire (10) during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP PhotoMichael Owens)
With Grichuk leading the way, Toronto climbed within a game of .500 (10-11) for the first time since Aug. 5.
Baltimore has lost four in a row and five of six following a six-game winning streak. Tommy Milone (1-3) pitched well over six innings — except for the two homers he yielded to Grichuk.
Tanner Roark (2-1) gave up one earned run in five innings and Rafael Dolis worked the ninth for his first save.
Toronto Blue Jays Randal Grichuk, center, celebrates with Travis Shaw (6) after hitting a two-run home run against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP PhotoMichael Owens)
Baltimore went ahead 2-1 in the fourth. Hanser Alberto hit a leadoff double and scored when right fielder Teoscar Hernández misplayed a single. Hernández made amends later in the inning by throwing out Pat Valaika, who was trying to score on a flyball by Chance Sisco.
Grichuk erased the deficit for Toronto in the sixth after Travis Shaw singled.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Baltimore Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins, left, reaches for fly ball against the Toronto Blue Jays during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP PhotoMichael Owens)
Blue Jays: Highly touted pitching prospect Nate Pearson was placed on the 10-day injured list with elbow tightness. The rookie complained of soreness after his outing Tuesday night. Manager Charlie Montoyo said the right-hander was feeling better on Wednesday, but the Jays weren't going to take any chances with the 2017 first-round pick. ... 1B Rowdy Tellez missed a second straight game with a head injury but should be ready to play Thursday, Montoyo said.
Orioles: OF Austin Hays (ribs) is “progressing," manager Brandon Hyde said, but the only treatment at this time is rest. ... With José Iglesias on the IR with a strained left quad, the Orioles lose more than a solid bat and shortstop. “Iggy is a major voice in our clubhouse and helpful to the young guys," Hyde said.
UP NEXT
Toronto Blue Jays celebrate an 8-7 win in 10 innings over the Baltimore Orioles in a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP PhotoTommy Gilligan)
Blue Jays: The quirky schedule takes the Blue Jays to Philadelphia for a doubleheader Thursday before they head to Florida for a four-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Orioles: RH Asher Wojciechowski (1-2, 4.34) helps Baltimore open a four-game series Thursday night against the visiting, last-place Boston Red Sox.
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Baltimore Orioles' starting pitcher Tommy Milone (69) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP PhotoMichael Owens)