Anthony Santander delivered a clutch two-run single as part of a four-run sixth inning, helping the Toronto Blue Jays rally past the Los Angeles Angels 8-5 on Thursday night to snap a four-game skid.
Daulton Varsho led the offensive charge with three hits, including a home run, and three RBIs. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also collected three hits as the Blue Jays erased a 4-0 deficit with a 14-hit effort, avoiding a sweep at Angel Stadium and securing just their fifth win in their last 17 games.
Taylor Ward and Jo Adell went deep early for the Angels, who missed a chance to complete their first series sweep of the season.
Toronto starter Chris Bassitt (3-2) battled through six innings, allowing eight hits while striking out six. Chad Green closed it out in the ninth for his first save, a night after fill-in closer Jeff Hoffman blew a two-run lead in the series’ previous game.
Angels right-hander José Soriano gave up three runs on eight hits and four walks across five innings.
Ward launched a two-run homer in the first inning, followed by Adell’s solo blast in the second. Zach Neto added another run in the third on a throwing error by Bo Bichette, giving Los Angeles a 4-0 cushion.
Toronto began chipping away in the fourth, with Varsho doubling home a run and Addison Barger adding an RBI single. The Blue Jays then broke through in the sixth, loading the bases before Santander lined Brock Burke’s first pitch into center to put Toronto ahead for good. Varsho added insurance with his third homer in six games in the eighth.
Key Moment
The Blue Jays filled the bases in the sixth off Ryan Johnson (1-1), setting up Santander’s go-ahead single on the first pitch from reliever Burke.
Key Stat
Toronto batted around in the sixth inning for the first time this season but still left the bases loaded. They stranded 11 runners over the first six innings.
Up Next
The Angels begin a series at home against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday, with Kyle Hendricks taking the mound. The Blue Jays head to Seattle, where Kevin Gausman will start the opener.
