TORONTO — Danny Jansen hit a home run and scored three runs, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drove in two runs, leading the Toronto Blue Jays to a 6-3 victory over the Washington Nationals on Monday night.
Jansen hit his 16th career home run, a solo shot in the third inning, as Toronto began a stretch of 12 games against teams near the bottom of the standings. The Blue Jays will next face the Colorado Rockies and the Oakland Athletics, before hosting the Kansas City Royals.
The Rockies, Athletics, and Royals are all currently trailing in their divisions. The Nationals entered this series with a one-game lead over the last-place New York Mets in the NL East.
Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman pitched five innings, allowing three runs and seven hits, to earn his first win in three starts. Gausman walked two and struck out seven, bringing his AL-leading total to 202 strikeouts. Only Atlanta’s Spencer Strider has more strikeouts in the majors with 236.
Trevor Richards pitched two innings, Génesis Cabrera worked the eighth, and Jordan Hicks closed the game for his 12th save in 15 chances.
Joey Meneses had three RBIs and CJ Abrams had three hits and three stolen bases for the Nationals, but their efforts were not enough to secure a win. This was their second consecutive loss after winning the previous three games.
In terms of injuries, the Blue Jays placed third baseman Matt Chapman on the 10-day injured list due to a sprained right middle finger. In his place, they recalled infielder Ernie Clement from Triple-A Buffalo.
Furthermore, Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette was not included in the lineup due to a sore right quad. He was scheduled to undergo an MRI after being forced out of Sunday’s loss to Cleveland. Bichette is currently batting .314, which is second in the AL, behind Tampa Bay’s Yandy Diaz.
For roster moves, the Washington Nationals selected the contract of catcher Drew Millas from Triple-A Rochester, and transferred pitcher Carl Edwards Jr. to the 60-day injured list due to a right shoulder injury. Outfielder Blake Rutherford was optioned to Triple-A following Sunday’s loss to Miami.
In other news, Blue Jays rookie Davis Schneider started at third base in this game, marking his third different position in three consecutive games.
Next, the Toronto Blue Jays will send RHP José Berríos (9-9, 3.55 ERA) to the mound on Tuesday, and he will face Washington’s LHP MacKenzie Gore (6-10, 4.38).
