The Toronto Blue Jays (4-2) used some late insurance runs to escape with a 10-7 win in the rubber match of a three game series with the Baltimore Orioles (3-3) Sunday afternoon at Camden Yards.
Both starting pitchers struggled early as both teams racked up the base hits and runs and it came down to the battle of the bullpen.
Aaron Loup (1-1) pitched one and two thirds innings after Drew Hutchison (1-0) allowed a career-high tying seven runs on seven hits and four and one thirds innings pitched.
Toronto used a four run fourth inning to pave the way for their win. This is the sixth time in the opening six games the Jays have scored four or more runs in an inning.
The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the first as rookie centre fielder Dalton Pompey hit a two run home run (1) off Orioles starter Chris Tillman (1-1).
Tillman went just two and two thirds innings, allowing seven hits and three earned runs. With Tillman still on the mound, three more runs were ruled an error by right fielder Travis Snider.
The Orioles responded in the bottom of the inning with a two run home run of their own as Adam Jones (2) hit a line drive to centre field off Hutchison, tying the score at 2-2.
After allowing just one run in his first start of the season on opening day, Hutchison struggled with his command resulting in the seven runs scored.
Toronto made it 7-2 in the third. Tillman walked three batters to load the bases, then rookie Devon Travis hit a line drive over a sprawling Snider who mistimed his angle on the ball to clear the bases. Jose Reyes singled off reliever Kevin Gausman to bring home Travis.
The Orioles again responded in the bottom of the inning, but with just two runs, RBI singles from Chris Davis and Jones to cut the deficit to 7-4.
Dioner Navarro hit a sacrifice fly to score Jose Bautista in the fourth to restore Toronto’s four run lead.
Former Blue Jay Snider hit his first home run for Baltimore as he belted a three-run drive to centre field, chasing Hutchison out of the game, closing the score to just one run.
However, after O’s reliever Brad Brach walked Pompey in the eighth, Bautista hit a two run home run off Darren O’Day for his first of the year to stretch the Jays lead - Bautista’s fourth career home run against O’Day.
Baltimore didn’t have a baserunner from the fifth inning until Jays closer Miguel Castro walked the leadoff hitter. Castro allowed one hit to register his second save of the season.
The Blue Jays are back at it tomorrow night as they take on the Tampa Bay Rays for their home opener and a four game series. The Orioles welcome division rivals New York Yankees for a three game set.
