- Toronto erases 4-run deficit with 14-hit offensive surge
- Daulton Varsho homers, drives in 3 runs for second straight multi-hit game
- Angels waste early HRs from Ward/Adell, fall to 8-14 in divisional matchups
In a season-defining turnaround, the Toronto Blue Jays (22-28) staged their largest comeback victory of 2024 on Thursday night. Down 4-0 by the second inning, Toronto’s offense erupted for 8 unanswered runs against Los Angeles relievers. The win halted a concerning 2-9 skid in May games and provided critical momentum ahead of their weekend series in Seattle.
The Angels’ early dominance proved fleeting as José Soriano’s command collapsed in the fifth. Toronto capitalized with RBI hits from Varsho and Addison Barger before Anthony Santander’s sixth-inning single off Brock Burke gave the Jays their first lead. Industry analysts note teams overcoming 4+ run deficits win 68% of subsequent series openers – a statistic Toronto hopes to validate against the Mariners.
Chris Bassitt’s gritty six-inning performance (6 K, 3 ER) underscored Toronto’s revised bullpen strategy. With closer Chad Green redeeming himself after Wednesday’s collapse, data shows Blue Jays relievers now boast a 2.89 ERA in rebound appearances – third-best in the AL. This resilience mirrors trends seen in Tampa Bay’s 2023 pennant run, where mid-game pitching adjustments reduced late-inning meltdowns by 41%.
Regional parallels emerged to Toronto’s iconic 2015 ALDS Game 5 comeback against Texas. Like José Bautista’s legendary “bat flip” game, Thursday’s victory saw:
- 7+ players recording hits
- 3+ extra-base hits in comeback innings
- Bullpen stranding 90% of inherited runners
With Kevin Gausman slated to start against Seattle’s Luis Castillo on Friday, Toronto aims to leverage this momentum. Meanwhile, the Angels’ ninth-inning struggles continue – their 6.75 ERA in final frames ranks worst in the American League.