Blue Jays get big win backed by brilliant Alek Manoah

Alek Manoah pitched eight strong innings as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles 4-1 on Wednesday, winning a series with significant playoff implications.

Manoah took the mound after a tense and heated game on Tuesday that saw both benches clear in what ended up being a Blue Jays loss. The club re-wrote the script, largely thanks to Manoah, who was brilliant in his 27th start of the season.

The 24-year-old went eight innings, giving up only three hits and one earned run while striking out five batters. He finished with 95 pitches and gave way to Canadian closer Jordan Romano, who did his thing to pick up his 31st save, tying him for first in the American League lead.

Manoah improved to 14-7 on the season and lowered his ERA to 2.42 — the fourth-best among qualified starters in the American League.

“I just wanted to come out and compete,” Manoah said. “We were able to have a complete game today. We believe in each other, and we believe in what we’re trying to do. We won’t let anyone stomp on us, either.”

Dropping DIMES ????@27vladdyjr | @Alek_Manoah6 pic.twitter.com/kBbjBnCJpd

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) September 8, 2022

Catcher Alejandro Kirk had three hits — all singles — and an RBI, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. added an RBI of his own.

Toronto was without outfielder Teoscar Hernandez, who was placed on the paternity list before the game. Hernandez was front and centre of the drama on Tuesday after Orioles reliever Bryan Baker gestured to the Blue Jays dugout.

After the game, Baker said he had a personal problem with Hernandez but didn’t elaborate.

Outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. left Wednesday’s game with a left hamstring injury after an awkward play at first base. His status for the next series is unclear.

With the Blue Jays taking three of four games from the Orioles, there is now some separation between both clubs in the playoff race.

The red-hot Tampa Bay Rays won again on Wednesday, their third-straight win, as the division-leading New York Yankees also took care of business, winning their third straight game. The Blue Jays are six games behind New York for first.

In the American League wild-card hunt, a Blue Jays win coupled with a Seattle Mariners loss means Toronto gained a game and is now one back of the second wild-card position. The Rays remain in the top spot.

The Blue Jays are off on Thursday before starting a road series against the Texas Rangers on Friday.