The Toronto Blue Jays took on the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday evening and boy was it a game to watch. From great defensive plays to good offense, the Jays were looking hot, and of course, Whit Merrifield continuing to perform well got two hits and two RBIs in the game. The final score of the game was 7-2 and it was a well-deserved win for the Jays. The Jays have six wins in seven games and are looking to continue their success. Let’s take a look at three impressive plays/highlights that occurred in the game.
Blue Jays vs. Diamondbacks (July 14th, 2023): Three Nifty Plays
Daulton Varsho Throw
https://twitter.com/RapsLeafsJays/status/1680015081906622467
The Jays were leading by a run in the game and the Diamondbacks were looking to threaten with a hit by Evan Longoria. Longoria decided to round first and try to go for a double but then Daulton Varsho made a fantastic throw to second base to get Longoria out. What looked like a promising hit turned into a big out for the Jays. Varsho showed he is a valuable asset to his team by making a great defensive play.
Varsho inevitably has a very strong arm and made that play look so easy. He was able to let the ball hit the wall and then make the dynamite throw right to second. Longoria wasn’t fast enough to remain safe with Varsho’s strong throw. Varsho has made the Jays’ outfield defense elite. He was also playing his former team and this was the first time since Varsho was traded to the Jays.
Vladdy Homer
Vladdy goes deep in his first game back after winning the Home Run Derby. 💣 pic.twitter.com/HOTclrdPBZ
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 14, 2023
So apparently Vladdy wasn’t too tired after the home run derby. It is fair to say that the bear has woken up!! In his first at-bat following the Home Run Derby, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit one deep into left field getting his 14th home run of the season.
The Home Run Derby clearly helped him find his groove again and the All-Star Game Eve event hurting a player’s swing is clearly a myth. I believe the Home Run Derby helped give him more confidence as a hitter. Vladdy is looking strong and getting his power back at the plate compared to the first half of the season. He is without a doubt a player that needed to step it up and so far he’s turning his season around.
Jay Jackson Strikes Again
HIGHLIGHT: Jay Jackson slams the door
Jay Jackson strikes out Gabriel Moreno to lock up Toronto's 7-2 win over Arizona
— Blue Jays PBP (@BlueJaysPBP) July 15, 2023
It was a three up three down inning for Jackson in the ninth inning. Jay Jackson has been one of the Jays’ consistent and dependable relievers. He brought the Jays to victory back on July 6th and put out a scoreless inning and he did the same thing in this game. He struck out Gabriel Moreno and he did it with a smile at the end. It was nice to see him put out a perfect ninth inning with no errors and he kept the inning short. I like what he’s done so far for the Jays this season. So far this season he has a 1.13 ERA with eight strikeouts.
Go Jays Go!
This was a convincing and big win for the Blue Jays. They wanted to start the second half of the season on a high note and they did. This win brought the Jays to 10 games over 500. (now 11) and now with just six and a half games (Now seven) behind the Tampa Bay Rays. The Jays were also able to capitalize on the Diamondbacks’ error in the seventh inning. Overall, Varsho, Vladdy, and Jackson were three key players that stood out and helped the Jays win but on the whole, everyone contributed. The Jays put up 16 hits in the game to represent the their hot offense in the game.
Main Image: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports
