Blue Jays bounce back nicely, but still need more from key….
PHILADELPHIA — The Blue Jays know there isn’t one simple way to fix all of their problems — and yes, that includes tweaking the lineup.
Penciling Bo Bichette into the No. 6 spot instead of No. 3 (or No. 4 or No. 5) isn’t going to fix everything on its own. Neither is one clutch go-ahead hit from Bichette nor one solid start from Chris Bassitt nor any one victory.
But one day after holding a private team meeting following a blowout loss Tuesday night in Philadelphia, the Blue Jays got all of that in a much-needed 5-3 victory that snapped the red-hot Phillies’ seven-game winning streak.
“I love the way they came back today, quick turnaround,” manager John Schneider said. “It’s kind of a gut-check win and the guys were up for it today.”
Bumped down in the order for the second time in less than a week, Bichette ripped a go-ahead RBI single off Aaron Nola to key a decisive three-run rally in the sixth inning. Bichette entered the day just 4-for-44 (.091) with one RBI over his past 12 games.
“It’s huge, man,” Schneider said. “We know how Bo’s feeling; he knows how he’s feeling. But to get that hit there, kind of a Bo special — line drive to right field for an RBI. He’s going to get going, it’s just a matter of time. I know we’ve been saying that, but it’s really a matter of time for him.”
While Bichette had arguably the biggest knock of the day, he was far from alone on a day when the Blue Jays matched a season high with 12 hits. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had his first three-hit game of the season, Kevin Kiermaier added three hits of his own (and two RBIs) and Davis Schneider stayed hot with a pair of hits and an RBI in front of more than 100 friends and family members who made the short drive from his hometown of Berlin, N.J.
Meanwhile, George Springer, mired in a prolonged slump of his own, generated the game’s first run in the third inning, when he singled, stole second and scored on Guerrero’s single. Springer then made an incredible diving grab with the bases loaded in the bottom half to help out Bassitt, who allowed two runs off three hits and two walks while striking out six over 6 1/3 innings.
“I think that just speaks volumes to him, and kind of to where we are as a group — you have to do everything you can to help the team win,” Schneider said of Springer, who battled an illness throughout the game. “So single, stolen base, score, and then a great diving catch down the line, too.”
Still, Springer is hitting just .206 with a .574 OPS. Bichette is hitting .191 with a .513 OPS.
But if Schneider is willing to drop Bichette in the order, why not Springer?
“George needs to get going. I think everyone knows that; he knows that,” Schneider said. “We’ll see, you know what I mean? We’ll see. You always trust the guy who has been there and done that.”
It might be easier if it was only Springer struggling, but it’s difficult to overcome so many regulars playing below expectations — regardless of where they hit in the batting order.
“There’s not a magic lineup that will work,” Schneider said.
Though he hasn’t found the right combo yet, it’s not for a lack of trying. Wednesday marked the 34th lineup combination the Blue Jays have used in 37 games this season. The only time they’ve used the same lineup in consecutive games was Opening Day and the day after.
Chris Bassitt K’s six
May 8, 2024 · 1:21
Chris Bassitt K’s six
