Mariners at Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays responded to being no-hit in the opener against the Seattle Mariners by sleepwalking through much of the following game before erupting for a four-run eighth inning. The Blue Jays (20-17) bid to continue that momentum against the visiting Mariners (20-15) on Thursday when they play the rubber match of the series at Rogers Centre.
Teoscar Hernandez answered a brutal 2-for-19 stretch in his previous five games by belting a solo homer to highlight his three-hit performance in Wednesday's 5-2 victory. Kevin Pillar recorded his fifth multi-hit effort this month for Toronto, which posted just its second win in six outings overall and second in its last seven at home while handing Seattle its fifth loss in its last 14 contests. Jean Segura had an RBI double en route to his third three-hit performance in 10 outings for the Mariners. The 28-year-old Dominican will try to continue that momentum versus Thursday starter J.A. Happ, against whom he is just 1-for-7 in his career.
TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), Sportsnet One (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Mike Leake (3-3, 6.28 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH J.A. Happ (4-2, 3.67)
Leake's fast beginning to the season has slowed to a crawl after he answered wins in his first two outings with a 1-3 mark with an 8.70 ERA in his last four starts. The 30-year-old didn't help himself in his last outing with a season high-tying four walks across 5 1/3 innings of a 5-0 setback versus the Los Angeles Angels on Friday. Russell Martin is 10-for-32 in his career versus Leake, who carries a lifetime mark of 1-1 with a 2.40 ERA against Toronto
Happ tasted defeat for the first time since Opening Day after permitting a season-high four walks to drive up his pitch count in a 6-2 setback at Tampa Bay. The 35-year-old was taken deep for the seventh time in seven outings this season against the Rays before exiting after 5 2/3 innings. Nelson Cruz is 10-for-22 in his career versus Happ, but the left-hander has kept Andrew Romine (1-for-8) and Mike Zunino (1-for-7) under wraps.
WALK-OFFS
1. Toronto acquired 3B Giovanny Urshela from Cleveland in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later.
2. Seattle 2B Robinson Cano is 6-for-33 in his last eight games.
3. Toronto's Lourdes Gurriel is 0-for-7 with two strikeouts since fellow SS Aledmys Diaz went on the 10-day disabled list with a sprained left ankle.