TORONTO — In what has been a down-in-the-dumps season for the Toronto Blue Jays, George Springer has lifted the spirits of his teammates and manager in the past month.
Springer played the hero role again on Sunday, going 3-for-4, slamming two homers and three RBI to push the Blue Jays (45-54) to a 5-4 win and avoid a sweep against the Detroit Tigers (49-51) before 38,766 at Rogers Centre.
"You want to watch when George is up because you never know what you're going to see," Toronto starter Kevin Gausman (8-8) said.
What Gausman and the Blue Jays saw in the series finale was a lead-off homer from Springer and a one-out, two-run blast from the right fielder in the third inning for his 23rd multiple long ball outing.
He also hustled to make a running catch in foul territory in the fifth inning and hurried to force the issue and gain a double in the fifth inning to set up Spencer Horwitz's game-tying single to centre.
This was critical because rookie Justyn-Henry Malloy had put the Tigers in front with his first grand slam in the top half of the inning.
"He's been an aircraft carrier-type where he's saying, 'get on, I'm going to lead the way," Toronto manager John Schneider said.
The 34-year-old Springer struggled mightly out of the gate this season. But he worked on changing the path of his swing and began to see productive results in late June.
In his last 21 games, Springer has batted .377 (29 for 77) with six doubles, a triple, eight home runs and 25 RBI.
Schneider also reported that during the difficult times, Springer still helped out his younger teammates like Horwitz and Ernie Clement, who came through with the game-winning hit in the sixth inning, knocking in Justin Turner from second with a single to centre.
"I'll be an open book (for teammates)," Springer said.
"It's my job to help anybody I can to make a smoother transition in their career."
Former teammates Dexter Fowler and Michael Brantley helped a young Springer in his early seasons with the Houston Astros. In fact, Brantley is still on speed dial and pitched in to support Springer through the challenging part of this season.
"I still annoy him every day," Springer said. "He claims he's retired, but he's meant the world to me."
Daulton Varsho also contributed in a big way to the Blue Jays' cause on Sunday. He made a game-saving catch, leaping up against the left-field wall to snag Carson Kelly's long fly ball with two on and one out in the eighth inning off reliever Chad Green, who also pitched the ninth for his seventh save.
Gausman didn't help his cause with back-to-back walks to load the bases. Gausman went 6 2/3 innings, striking out five and yielding four runs on five hits and three walks.
Detroit rookie starter Keider Montero (1-3) was replaced by Will Vest with one out in the fifth when Clement came through with his significant single. But Montero was responsible for Turner and took the loss.
Montero gave up five runs on eight hits with three strikeouts.
Designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had this three-game homer streak stopped, but he did check in with a two-out double to right field in the seventh inning.
SPRINGING AHEAD
Springer's leadoff homer on Sunday was the 58th of his career. He only trails former Blue Jays outfielder Ricky Henderson (81) on the all-time MLB list.
ON DECK
The Blue Jays have a day off before their three-game set against the Tampa Bays Rays begins at Rogers Centre on Tuesday. Jose Berrios (8-7) will start for Toronto. The Rays will counter with righty Ryan Pepiot (6-5).
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 21, 2024.
Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press
