Jays drop season opener in Baltimore
Posted Apr 4, 2017 04:40:46 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
BALTIMORE — Five months later, the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays reprised their winner-take-all post-season showdown.
The stakes weren’t as high, yet the drama was palpable and the game was eerily similar.
Mark Trumbo homered with two outs in the 11th inning, and the Orioles beat Toronto 3-2 Monday for their seventh straight opening-day victory.
Trumbo connected off Jason Grilli (0-1) on a 1-2 slider. When he reached the plate, the reigning major league home run king was doused in water by teammates and cheered heartily by those remaining from a sellout crowd of 45,667.
The game was rematch of last year’s AL wild card playoff, won by Toronto 5-2 on an 11th-inning home run by Edwin Encarnacion. This time, the Orioles prevailed with a game-ending blast.
“It did seem to have a similar feel,” Trumbo said. “I’m glad this one turned out in our favour.”
The Orioles didn’t place a runner in scoring position after the third inning. But with their power-laden lineup, one swing is all it takes to win a tight game like this.
Trumbo provided it.
“We have a lot of confidence that, if we get enough chances, we’ll be able to do some damage,” Trumbo said. “I’m just happy to come through and take us home.”
The 25th opening day at Camden Yards began in the late afternoon and ended at dusk.
“This is one of those places you don’t feel good when they get the last at-bat,” Toronto manager John Gibbons said. “They are probably the top power hitting team in the game, top to bottom. They can do that at home.”
