The Toronto Blue Jays were set to play against the Chicago White Sox on July 5th but the game got postponed due to rain, so a doubleheader needed to be played.
Game one was definitely surprising as all the runs were scored in the 11th inning. In addition, almost all the runs scored were via singles. So, there were no hard-hit balls.
Game two brought more action with lots of home runs from the Jays. With lots of runs being scored in both games, let’s take a look at what players brought the Jays to their success in both games. Let’s face it, who doesn’t like two outfield hugs in one day?
Looking at the Jays Best Players in the Doubleheader Against the White Sox
Jose Berrios and the bullpen
If it wasn’t for Jose Berrios‘ strong outing in the first game, the Blue Jays wouldn’t have been successful. He threw seven innings, allowing just one hit, with one walk and six strikeouts. He also recorded nine groundouts and only two flyouts. It was a great start for him and it came as no surprise as he was expected to perform well.
He wasn’t the only strong pitcher in the game, though. The Jays bullpen also did well, especially Trevor Richards who recorded four strikeouts. The Jays pen recorded eight innings pitched, four hits, nine strikeouts, two walks, and only one earned run.
Jay Jackson
Jay Jackson was appointed as the 27th man for the Jays doubleheader and the Jays got exactly what they needed from him which was a scoreless inning. He retired all four batters he faced and picked up his first win as a Jay. In addition, Jackson continues to provide solid pitching and show what a great pitcher he is as he continues to pitch better than most of the Blue Jays bullpen.
Two-Homer Whit
Looking at game two, most of the runs scored by the Jays were home runs, and two of the homers came from Whit Merrifield.
Whit Merrifield showcases his power, veteran, and all-star status and helps the Jays beat the White Sox. He records his fourth career multi-homerun game and two of those have come from the White Sox.
Numbers do not lie and Whit Merrifield is a three-time All-Star for a reason. Lastly, Merrifield hit his 12th career home run when facing the White Sox and it’s his most homers versus any opposing team.
MORE: Merrifield is one of the underrated players who are impressing this year!
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. recorded a single, and a double in game two and finished off the day with three RBIs. He had a shaky and slow start to his season, but he has really been swinging a hot bat lately with four homers in 10 days.
I think it’s safe to say that his home run slump is over. After all, “Vladdy” also isn’t a three-time All-Star for no reason.
Jays Get the Sweep
The Toronto Blue Jays really needed this sweep after getting swept by the Boston Red Sox. The Jays were also looking to gain some ground in standings and they did as the New York Yankees lost 14-1 against the Baltimore Orioles.
At the end of the day, the doubleheader win was a combined team effort with clutch hits and strong pitching coming from the starters and bullpen. But if we had to give out gold stars, they would go to Jose Berrios and the bullpen for strong pitching, Whit Merrifield for getting two home runs, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for clutch hitting.
This doubleheader will be memorable as the Jays are the first team to score their first six runs of the game in a single extra inning since Cleveland on May 29, 1976, against Milwaukee.
Main Image: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sport
