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Hernandez leads Blue Jays to wild 10-8 win in Toronto’s first home opener since 2019

TORONTO — The Blue Jays’ first residence opener in Toronto in three years gained’t quickly be forgotten by Teoscar Hernandez, his teammates, or the sold-out crowd at Rogers Centre.

Hernandez had a three-run blast and scored the successful run as Toronto rallied for a raucous 10-8 win over the Texas Rangers on Friday. It was the primary time Rogers Centre had hosted a house opener since 2019, as COVID-19 restrictions pressured the Blue Jays to play all of 2020 and most of 2021 in Dunedin, Fla., and Buffalo, N.Y.

When the crew did return to Toronto late final summer time Ontario nonetheless had capability limits in place for many venues, limiting the cavernous Rogers Centre to only 15,000 followers.

“The second was very particular,” mentioned Hernandez of Friday’s win. “I believe there’s not a single participant on this clubhouse that’s going to neglect right now, what occurred right now.”

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Hernandez performed in Toronto’s final residence opener at Rogers Centre, a 2-0 loss to Detroit, however the Blue Jays core of younger stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and Cavan Biggio had by no means skilled it till Friday.

They bought the total expertise with a crowd of 45,022 at Rogers Centre, the primary sellout at Toronto’s ballpark since March 29, 2018, wildly cheering and booing with each lead change within the back-and-forth recreation.

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“We all the time knew it was going to be like that from the start,” mentioned Hernandez. “We’re simply excited to be again and revel in each single second with the followers.”

Danny Jansen added some insurance coverage with an eighth-inning homer as Toronto (1-0) got here again from a 7-0 deficit.

Jose Berrios gave up 4 runs in only a third of an inning as Toronto’s Opening Day starter escaped with a no choice. Berrios mentioned that he felt good warming up earlier than the sport however when he bought to the mound he was throwing as a substitute of pitching.

“When it got here to recreation I used to be making an attempt to be too excellent, I believe like too nasty and I didn’t throw the ball over the plate,” he mentioned.

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Seven relievers got here out of the Blue Jays’ bullpen, with Adam Cimber recording the win and Jordan Romano of close by Markham, Ont., incomes the save.

“Everybody right here may help the crew win ball video games and we noticed that tonight, our bullpen saved us in recreation,” mentioned Berrios. “They battled, they pitched, they competed.”

Mitch Garver’s two-run residence run helped Texas (0-1) construct a 6-0 lead by the tip of the second inning. Brad Miller and Adolis Garcia added solo blasts for the guests.

Jon Grey struck out 4 however allowed three runs over 4 innings for the Rangers and left the sport when he developed a blister on his throwing hand. Dennis Santana, considered one of 4 Texas relievers, took the loss.

A prolonged pre-game ceremony saved the gang on its toes for greater than 35 minutes. Guerrero, Hernandez, and Marcus Semien — who signed with Texas within the low season after taking part in for the Blue Jays final 12 months — formally obtained their Silver Slugger awards. Guerrero earned the loudest cheers, together with M-V-P chants, as he trotted out from the dugout throughout crew introductions.

Miller, main off for Texas, instantly quieted the Rogers Centre crowd when he bounced a 1-2 pitch from Berrios off the stadium’s second deck.

Berrios’s struggles didn’t finish there. He couldn’t get his first out till he was six batters into the Rangers’ lineup and Toronto was trailing 3-0. By the center of the fourth inning Texas had constructed a 7-0 lead.

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“It’s humorous as a result of it looks as if everyone was slightly nervous in the beginning as a result of we anticipated so many individuals and we need to give them an excellent present,” mentioned Blue Jays supervisor Charlie Montoyo.

“However then we settled down.”

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Guerrero singled residence George Springer within the fourth and superior Bichette to second. Hernandez then walked to load the bases and introduced Lourdes Gurriel Jr., as much as bat.

Gurriel hit right into a fielder’s selection scoring Bichette and Alejandro Kirk’s sacrifice fly introduced in Guerrero to chop Texas’s result in 7-3.

“You give them slightly little bit of hope, they’re going to feed off of that,” mentioned Rangers supervisor Chris Woodward. “They’re a really gifted but in addition emotional crew, so that they feed off of that emotion.”

The highest of Toronto’s batting order saved chipping away within the fifth.

Springer drew a two-out stroll earlier than Bichette and Guerrero had back-to-back singles to attain once more. Hernandez then smashed a pitch simply over the right-field fence to tie the sport 7-7.

Santiago Espinal, pinch hitting for Biggio, gave Toronto its first lead of the sport with a double within the sixth, cashing in Jansen. However Garcia tied it again up for Texas within the seventh along with his homer.

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A controversial play within the backside of that inning put Toronto again forward.

Hernandez was referred to as out at residence plate by umpire Invoice Welke when Gurriel doubled to deep left and superior to 3rd on Miller’s throw. Followers chanted “Protected!” as umpires reviewed the play however erupted with cheers when the decision was reversed and Hernandez was dominated secure.

“I imply, there’s not a greater second than that,” mentioned Hernandez.

Jansen gave the Blue Jays extra of a cushion with a one-out residence run for the sport’s last rating.



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