By Canadian Press

Kirk’s pinch-hit double, Toronto’s 3 homers power Blue Jays past Rockies 13-9

Sep 1, 2023 | 10:20 PM

DENVER (AP) — Pinch-hitter Alejandro Kirk’s three-run double keyed a five-run seventh inning and the Toronto Blue Jays hit three homers in a 13-9 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Friday night.

Danny Jansen, Brandon Belt and Ernie Clement went deep for the Blue Jays, who have won four of six to move within 1 1/2 games of slumping Texas for the final AL wild card. 

Toronto had 17 hits and improved to 3-10 at Coors Field in its first trip to Colorado since 2019. George Springer and Whit Merrifield each had three hits, and Clement finished with three RBIs.

Colorado scored four runs in the ninth off Chad Green, making his Blue Jays debut and his first major league appearance since undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2022. Jordan Romano got the final out.

Jansen’s two-run homer broke a 2-all tie in the sixth inning before Nolan Jones’ three-run homer off reliever Genesis Cabrera (3-1) put Colorado back in front 5-4 in the bottom of the inning.

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Kevin Kiermaier and Springer singled to open the seventh against Jake Bird (2-2) before Davis Schneider doubled off the centre-field fence to tie it at 5. Belt walked with one out and Kirk, batting for Jansen, doubled into the left-field corner for an 8-5 lead. 

Kirk has doubled in four straight games, a career first. Jansen was removed because of a bruised right hand.

Merrifield doubled in Kirk for a 9-5 lead and four Blue Jays relievers closed it out. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled home a run in the eighth and Clement had a two-run triple in a three-run ninth.

Jones and Elehuris Montero had three RBIs apiece.

Toronto starter Hyun-Jin Ryu gave up a two-run homer to Montero in the third. Ryu lasted five innings in his sixth start since missing the first four months of the season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. 

Belt opened the fourth with his 24th homer at Coors Field, after spending his first 12 seasons with division-rival San Francisco. Clement’s homer tied it at 2 in the fifth.

Colorado starter Chris Flexen has given up 22 homers in 78 1/3 innings this season.

SOFT SPOT

The Blue Jays began a stretch of nine straight games against the three teams with the worst records in majors. After a three-game series at Coors Field, they play three-game sets at Oakland and at home against Kansas City.

“We’ve been telling the guys don’t look at record, it’s major league baseball,” Toronto manager John Schneider said. “On paper it looks pretty enticing, but you have to really take it one game at a time.”

BACK IN THE BIGS

Green was activated from the 60-day injured list before the game. He spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Yankees, going 33-22 with a 3.17 ERA, and was in the playoffs every year from 2017-21.

“It’s always the most exciting time of the year,” Green said. “Anytime you get to play important games in September, it’s something I’m thankful to be a part of. A chance to do something special.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Blue Jays: SS Bo Bichette (right quad strain) did running drills, hit in the cage and took grounders before the game. “The fact that he is hitting without any pain is really good,” manager John Schneider said. “He has a tendency to respond pretty well from injuries.” … 3B Matt Chapman (sprained finger) did early work on the field. … 1B/OF Spencer Horwitz was added when rosters expanded Friday.

Rockies: LHP Austin Gomber (back soreness) will not make his scheduled start Sunday but should return to the mound on the road trip next week, manager Bud Black said. RHP Chase Anderson (shoulder) is a candidate to be activated from the IL and start Sunday. He has been out since July 22 … RHP Tyler Kinley (elbow) and OF Sean Bouchard (biceps) were activated when rosters expanded.

UP NEXT

Toronto LHP Yusei Kikuchi (9-4, 3.63 ERA) is scheduled to face Rockies LHP Ty Blach (1-1, 3.94) on Saturday. Kikuchi has reached a career high in wins and with 146 strikeouts is 18 short of another career best. He is 2-1 with a 2.36 ERA in his last eight starts.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Jack Magruder, The Associated Press