(Cleveland) Leading batter Brayan Rocchio hit two doubles for the same number of runs on Thursday as the Cleveland Guardians lost the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3.
Rocchio thus made it 2-1 and 3-1 in the second and fifth sets.
Ninth batter Jose Tena provided a run-off single, while Kole Calhoun pushed a runner home with an optional.
Rocchio and Tena are rookies.
Noah Syndergaard (2-5) allowed one run and six hits in five and two-thirds innings.
“There really is no excuse or reason why I wouldn’t be the pitcher I was before,” Syndergaard said. Every five days I have to show up and play my best. »
Syndergaard quickly became comfortable with his new team.
“Every day I try to improve myself,” he added. I’m clearly not at the level I want, but I think the coaches here put me in a good position. »
Emmanuel Clase collected a 31st save.
Cleveland had just five hits, half the visitor haul.
The Guardians stole three goals, including two against Alek Manoah (3-9). The latter allowed four runs and four hits in four innings. He struck out six batters and walked three.
George Springer and Whit Merrifield hit two hits apiece for the Blue Jays.
Springer also stole a 15th pillow. Merrifield hit .462 in the three-game series.
George Springer and team manager John Schneider were ejected by plate umpire Jeremie Rehak in the seventh inning.
The Blue Jays left 10 runners on the trails.
The two teams split the four-game series. The Blue Jays won the first game 3-1 on Monday, and the clubs then each won 1-0 in the next two games.
Toronto will host the Chicago Cubs from Friday to Sunday.
