(Cincinnati) David Schneider scored to break the tie, endgame specialist Jordan Romano pulled out of the woods in the ninth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays won 4-3 against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday.
Chris Bassitt was effective in six innings on the mound for the Blue Jays (68-56), who rallied from five losses in seven games.
Elly De La Cruz had two hits for the Reds (64-60), including a triple that allowed her to score on a follow-up due to a defensive error. TJ Friedl homered and Christian Encarnacion-Strand had two of the home favorites’ six hits.
Schneider stretched his arms at the expense of Brandon Williamson (4-3) with a fifth-inning out to give the Blue Jays a 4-3 lead. It was Schneider’s third long ball of the season.
The Reds had runners on second and third base, with one out at ninth. Romano, however, tagged out Henry Ramos and forced Stuart Fairchild to play ball to sign his 30th.It is rescue of the year.
Bassitt (12-6) has given up three runs, including two earned, three hits and a walk. Williamson, meanwhile, allowed four runs, nine hits from the safety spot, and a free pass in five innings and two-thirds.
Shortstop Bo Bichette returned to the Blue Jays lineup, hitting a productive base hit.
Bichette had been traded at AAA level to return to form after treating a right knee problem. His last Majors game is dated July 31st.
He still leads the American League in hits (145). Bichette also hit 17 home runs and drove in 59 runs, ranking second in all categories for the Jays, behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
To make room for Bichette in their lineup, the Blue Jays demoted infielder Paul DeJong.
On Sunday, Hyun-Jin Ryu (1-1) should be on the mound for the Jays. Hunter Greene (2-4) should be the right man for the Reds.
