The Blue Jays series against the Atlanta Braves was their second meeting of the year, this time Toronto was in Atlanta. The Blue Jays entered the series one game above .500 and were looking for a similar outcome from the first meeting between these two teams, the Blue Jays swept Atlanta in the first series of the 2021 season.
Blue Jays Series: Game One
Right-handed pitcher Robbie Ray got the start in game one of the Blue Jays series versus the Atlanta Braves, Robbie Ray has looked good for the majority of his starts in 2021, he was on again in Atlanta. Robbie Ray has been exactly what the Blue Jays needed with a depleted rotation due to injuries, once again he managed to get through six full innings against Atlanta, he walked one batter, Ray allowed three earned runs, and he struck out 10 batters in a no-decision.
The Blue Jays trailed 2-0 heading into the sixth inning, they scored two in the top half of the inning to tie the game up, until the Braves added one run in the bottom of the sixth inning to regain the lead. Toronto would battle back with a three-run eighth inning powered by a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. two-run home run, the Blue Jays had a 5-3 lead heading to the final inning. Jordan Romano would take over for Toronto on the mound, a chance to earn the save and it wasn’t easy, however, he was able to get the job done and secured his first save of the season. The Blue Jays got back to two games above .500 and had the opportunity to take the series and the season series in game two.
Game Two: Ryu Dealing
The Blue Jays series against the Braves continued on Wednesday evening in Atlanta, the Blue Jays looking to lengthen their winning streak and earn the series win over Atlanta. Toronto had their ace Hyun-Jin Ryu on the mound for the second game and he was showing why he was the 2020 Warren Spahn Award winner, he was nearly untouchable against the Braves as he allowed one run that was a solo home run, he gave up five hits, and racked up six strikeouts in seven innings of work.
Toronto’s bats would provide the run support, the offense was lead by the outfielder and the 2020 Silver Slugger Teoscar Hernandez. Teoscar Hernandez has been on fire since returning from the covid-19 list, he continued to produce as he hit two home runs, he hit a solo home run in the seventh inning, he then added a two-run home run in the ninth inning to cap off another Blue Jays win over Atlanta. Toronto secured the series win and also secured the season series win as the Blue Jays now had five wins against Atlanta in 2021, this set them up for an opportunity to sweep the Braves for the second time this season.
Game Three: Blue Jays offense thriving in Atlanta
The Blue Jays series wrapped up on Thursday afternoon as the Blue Jays sent Ross Stripling to the mound as their starter with a series sweep was within their reach. The first inning was not how Toronto would have drawn it up as they fell behind 2-0 after Ross Stripling gave up a solo home run to Ronald Acuna Jr. and allowed another run before heading to the second inning. Ross Stripling and the Blue Jays would settle in and cut the deficit in half in the second inning, Ross Stripling would find his groove as he went on to pitch four scoreless innings while racking up nine strikeouts in the five innings he pitched in the finale.
The Blue Jays had a 3-2 lead after the fifth inning until the Atlanta Braves tacked on two runs in the sixth inning retaking the lead. Toronto was not giving up as they once again mount the comeback, the Blue Jays scored the tying run in the eighth inning and then added insurance in the ninth inning, Toronto scored four runs in the final inning on route to an 8-4 win. The Blue Jays once again sweep the Atlanta Braves and also swept the season series against the Braves.
The Toronto Blue Jays still without key players due to injuries have found ways to win ball games, as they now sit four games above .500 with a 20-16 record after their second series sweep of the 2021 MLB season.
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