(Toronto) Whit Merrifield and Bo Bichette homered each as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-2 on Saturday.
Merrifield and George Springer each drove in two runs for the Blue Jays (52-41), who won their third straight game.
Blue Jays starting pitcher Chris Bassitt (9-5) gave up two runs and seven hits in six innings.
Nate Pearson, Erik Swanson and Yimi Garcia – who was credited with a save – shut out the Diamondbacks in the final three innings.
“I think our relievers did a phenomenal job,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said.
“They motivate each other,” he added. They are aware of what they are doing and take pride in it. »
Jake McCarthy drove in two runs for the Diamondbacks (52-41), who suffered a third straight loss.
Pitching ace Zac Gallen (11-4) gave up three runs, six hits and three walks in five innings on the mound.
“I feel like I couldn’t get rid of the guys,” Gallen said. I was shooting good shots, but they were managing to stay alive with foul shots. They were waiting for me to throw a shot they could handle. »
Gallen was in his first outing after being the National League’s starting pitcher in Tuesday’s All-Star Game.
“We forced him to work hard,” Merrifield said. We didn’t chase the ball out of the strike area early in the game. I think when that happens, the pitcher starts throwing a little more into the heart of the strike zone.
“When he started doing that, we did what it took to score three points on his back. Against a player of his caliber, it’s a great win,” he added.
Springer opened the scoring in the second inning by hitting a two-run single.
The Diamondbacks replied in fourth. McCarthy was ruled safe at first base on a ground ball and two runners took the opportunity to cross home plate. Despite a challenge from the Blue Jays, the referees did not overturn their decision.
Merrifield quickly restored the lead to the Blue Jays, hitting a solo homer late in the fourth inning.
Bichette widened the gap with her 16th homer of the season in the eighth inning. Merrifield hit a sacrifice fly later in the inning.
Right-handed pitcher Kevin Gausman was to be the Blue Jays starter. However, he was bothered by a feeling of discomfort in his left side.
Team management said a magnetic resonance imaging scan revealed no damage and that his case would be assessed on a daily basis.
