Toronto Blue Jays Notes: Devon Travis, Russell Martin Come Clutch, Gavin Floyd Update
Devon Travis and Russell Martin each delivered a clutch hit for the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday, and the team also received an update on reliever Gavin Floyd over the weekend.
Devon Travis ignited the Toronto Blue Jays comeback Sunday when he drove a two-run single through the left side of the infield in the top of the seventh inning, tying the game at three a piece. But Russell Martin put the exclamation mark on it when he blasted a two-run shot off Kevin Jepsen in the eighth inning, putting the Jays up 5-3.
The veteran catcher was given the green light on a 3-0 count, and Martin, who has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball since August, found something he could drive, which was in the form of a 92 mph fastball thrown right down the heart of the plate.
“Typically, you’re looking for a pitch that’s out over the plate and that’s what I got,” Martin said. “There’s really one pitch, one spot — if it’s not there, you take it. If it’s there, you have to let it rip, and it ended up in my happy zone.”
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Martin’s two-run shot propelled the Blue Jays to a 5-3 victory and also helped ensure the team would not be swept by the pesky Tampa Bay Rays.
Floyd’s Season Likely Over
Out since June with a sprained right shoulder capsule, reliever Gavin Floyd will likely miss the remainder of the season, according to Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com.
Initially diagnosed as a torn lat muscle, Floyd is expected to make a full recovery and be ready to pitch for the beginning of the 2017 season. The soon-to-be free agent posted above average numbers with the Blue Jays this season, recording a 4.06 ERA and an 8.31 K/9 in 31 innings pitched.
Barnes the Lefty Specialist?
Manager John Gibbons said Saturday he could see Danny Barnes “getting a lot of action” with the team, which isn’t a big surprise. But when you consider his success against left-handed hitters this year, could Barnes be the Jays surprising answer against lefties?
He has struck out 20 of the 41 left-handed batters he’s faced at triple-A Buffalo this year, while allowing zero runs and just one hit. So far with the Blue Jays he’s faced nine lefties and is yet to allow a hit.
Barnes might not be the conventional answer, but, at least from a statistical perspective, he certainly makes sense. I’d imagine as he gets more comfortable in the big leagues, Gibbons will begin to deploy him in more high-leverage situations.
Next: Blue Jays: 5 Storylines to Watch in September
Quick Hitters
- Rowdy Tellez hit his sixth home run in nine games on Saturday, blasting a solo shot over the right field wall, helping the New Hampshire Fisher Cats defeat the Portland Sea Dogs 5-2.
- Joaquin Benoit joined the 1,000 strikeout club on Sunday when he struck out Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria in the bottom of the seventh inning.
- ESPN.com’s Alex Tekip took a look at the possibility of Michael Saunders leaving the Blue Jays this offseason, which was also explored by Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball earlier last week.
- I failed to mention this in the last Blue Jays notes, but the team signed speedy outfielder Quintin Berry to a minor league contract. The 31-year-old outfielder will provide the team with another baserunning option.