Belt comes up clutch with home run as Blue Jays beat Orioles in extra innings
Posted August 22, 2023 10:30 pm.
Last Updated August 22, 2023 10:35 pm.
Brandon Belt hit a two-run homer in the top of the 10th inning as the Toronto Blue Jays picked up a crucial 6-3 win against the division-leading Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday.
Blue Jays batters combined for 12 hits, none more important than Belt’s 14th home run of the season in extras off Orioles reliever Michael Baumann.
Brandon Belt would like us to tell you he's the MVP.
This tweet may or may not have been written by Brandon Belt. pic.twitter.com/qITj9Y2WI2
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 23, 2023
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had three hits, including a double, while Daulton Varsho had two hits, including a two-run home run in the second inning. It was Varsho’s 16th home run of the year.
Kevin Kiermaier added an RBI double, while Matt Chapman finished with two hits.
Blue Jays bullpen shuts down Orioles
Toronto was forced to utilize six relievers after starter Yusei Kikuchi could only get through 4 2/3 innings. Kikuchi gave up seven hits and three earned runs, striking out six.
The bullpen picked him up, combining for 5 1/3 scoreless innings en route to the win, including a clutch appearance by Trevor Richards, who fanned two Orioles batters in the sixth inning.
BO MY GOODNESS pic.twitter.com/nHnlgHzRYS
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 23, 2023
Jordan Hicks and Erik Swanson were equally impressive, with four combined strikeouts and no walks. Tim Mayza kept the game tied at 3-3 late, with Jordan Romano only needing eight pitches in the bottom of the 10th inning to pick up his 31st save of the season. The Canadian closer struck out two.
Orioles rookie starter Grayson Rodriguez pitched six innings, allowing three earned runs with five strikeouts. First baseman Ryan Mountcastle, who entered the game hitting .480/.531/.760 against the Blue Jays this year, went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.
Toronto (70-56) is now seven-and-a-half games back of the Orioles for first in the AL East Division. In the wildcard hunt, the Blue Jays are one game back of the scorching Seattle Mariners, who won their eighth-straight game on Tuesday.
The Blue Jays trail the Houston Astros by two games for the second wildcard spot and are five games back of the Tampa Bay Rays, who remain in the first wildcard position.
