In a commanding performance, Dylan Cease struck out 12 batters over five innings, leading the Toronto Blue Jays to a 5-2 victory against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim on Monday night.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. contributed significantly with three hits, including a two-run homer, while Lenyn Sosa’s sacrifice fly in the sixth inning helped the Blue Jays secure the win.
Cease’s Impressive Performance
Cease, who earned his first win for the Blue Jays, finished just one strikeout short of his career high. He accomplished this feat while throwing 110 pitches to record 15 outs, allowing only two runs and five hits during his outing.
The right-hander, who signed a $210 million, seven-year contract in December, showcased his skills by striking out Jorge Soler with a fastball clocked at 99 mph on his final pitch.
Contributions from the Bullpen
Toronto’s bullpen played a crucial role in maintaining the lead, with Braydon Fisher throwing a scoreless sixth inning. Louis Varland struck out three of the four batters he faced, and Tyler Rogers secured the final two outs in the eighth inning.
Despite struggling this season, closer Jeff Hoffman fanned three batters in a one-hit ninth inning, marking his third save of the season.
Game Highlights
The Angels initially took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Nolan Schanuel doubled and Soler delivered an RBI single. However, the Blue Jays responded in the third inning with Guerrero’s 430-foot homer to center field, bringing the score to 2-1.
Los Angeles tied the game at 2-2 later in the inning, but Toronto regained the lead in the sixth when Guerrero and Eloy Jiménez singled, allowing Sosa’s sacrifice fly to score Guerrero.
In the seventh inning, Nathan Lukes added a pinch-hit single, driving in a run, and later contributed an RBI groundout in the ninth to finalize the score at 5-2.
Upcoming Matchup
Looking ahead, Blue Jays left-hander Patrick Corbin (0-0, 4.66 ERA) is set to face Angels right-hander Jack Kochanowicz (2-0, 3.47 ERA) on Tuesday night.