(Baltimore) Bo Bichette had his best night of his career with three home runs in Game 2 of a double round as the Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-4 on Monday to complete the sweep.
Bichette landed a three-run slap on Nick Vespi in the third inning, then added solo homers in the sixth and seventh against Bruce Zimmermann. During the double round, the shortstop had six hits and seven RBIs. He hit 0.400 (24 to 60) in his last 15 games.
Bichette hit a line to center field in the ninth when he had the chance to tie the Major League record of four homers in one game. He did, however, match his career best with five RBIs.
In the first game, Kevin Gausman made a triumphant return to Camden Yard and the Blue Jays triumphed 7-3.
Cavan Biggio also sent the ball over the fence in Game 2 for the Blue Jays, who won their fifth straight game. They also extended their lead to 4.5 games over the Orioles in the hunt for the American’s final spot in the draft.
The Blue Jays and Orioles will meet 10 times in the final 31 days of the season.
Rougned Odor and Adley Rutschman went to the Orioles in Game 2. The Baltimore club lost their last three meetings, their longest lethargy since a four-game losing streak between June 28 and July 2.
Blue Jays starter José Berríos (10-5) allowed three runs and eight hits in six innings. He knocked out two scouts.
The Orioles were forced to change the starter in Game 2 as Jordan Lyles wasn’t feeling bad. As a substitute, Keegan Akin (3-2) allowed two runs in two and a third inning.
The Blue Jays opened the machine in the sixth inning against Zimmermann with four runs.
Bichette’s three home run performance is the first by a Blue Jays player since Vladimir Guerrero Jr. against the New York Yankees on April 13.
Teoscar Hernández got his 20and campaign circuit in the first game. He helped Gausman (11-9), who was picked by the Orioles in fourth place in the 2012 draft.
Also in Game 1, ambidextrous hitter Anthony Santander scored on both sides of the plate for the Orioles. Orioles starter Mike Baumann (1-3) allowed three runs in five innings in his first major league start.
The Blue Jays activated right-handed scorer Julian Merryweather from the handicap list before Game 2.
