Blue Jays hit 3 home runs, beat Ohtani and the Angels

The Toronto Blue Jays got home runs from Matt Chapman, Danny Jansen and Whit Merrifield en route to a 4-1 win over Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Angels on Friday.

Toronto welcomed the two-say superstar to the Rogers Centre, and he greeted the Blue Jays faithful with a 1st inning home run that came off starter Kevin Gausman to give the Angels an early lead. It was Ohtani’s league-leading 39th homer of the year.

It was the only blemish for Gausman and the Blue Jays, as the right-hander cruised through six innings, scattering five hits with three walks and nine strikeouts.

Gausman’s 94 Ks are the most in FRANCHISE HISTORY through a player’s first 10 home starts! #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/xOTK4RAVtS

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 29, 2023

Chapman, who was captured in a tense discussion with manager John Schneider after Ohtani’s home run, would club a solo shot of his own (14th) in his first at-bat to tie the game. Jansen stayed hot at the plate with a solo homer, his 14th of the season. After a Bo Bichette RBI double, Merrifield would give the Blue Jays insurance with his 8th home run of the campaign. Merrifield had three hits on the night.

Erik Swanson and Tim Mayza pitched a scoreless seventh and eighth inning before Canadian Jordan Romano entered the game to close it out. Romano would surrender two hits and issued a walk to load the bases before striking out pinch hitter Michael Stefanic, who replaced Ohtani in the lineup.

Romano appeared to be in some discomfort on the mound before being lifted for Yimi Garcia, who would get Mickey Moniak to line out and preserve the win.

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Romano has been dealing with back tightness since he left his All-Star game appearance earlier in the month. He has since avoided a trip to the injured list.

Schneider confirmed after the game that the 30-year-old reliever was removed after his back tightened up on him. He will be re-evaluated on Saturday but is not expected to be available for the weekend.

The decision to pinch hit for Ohtani was due to cramping in his legs, Angels manager Phil Nevin said post-game. It’s unclear if the two-way star will be available on Saturday.

The #BlueJays removed Jordan Romano from the game with two outs in the ninth after he experienced discomfort on the mound. Appeared to be stretching his back. Yimi Garcia got the final out, but this is still a huge question for Jays given Romano's importance to their bullpen.

— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) July 29, 2023

Lucas Giolito made the start for the Angels (54-50), his first with the club since he was acquired along with reliever Reynaldo Lopez from the Chicago White Sox for two prospects.

Friday night’s Blue Jays and Angels game was broadcast exclusively on Apple TV+.

Toronto improves to 58-46 on the season as the club embarks on a 17-game stint with no off days until August 14. The Blue Jays will turn to Alek Manoah on Saturday as the Angels counter with Reid Detmers.

First pitch is scheduled for 3:07 p.m. ET on Sportsnet.