Much-maligned veteran George Springer records hit and scores two runs

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Until a definitive option becomes available, whether it’s internal or outside the organization, the Blue Jays have no other choice but to cobble together a fifth starter by turning over every stone.

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Alek Manoah is no longer a viable candidate following a season-ending elbow injury.

Yariel Rodriguez began the season as the No. 5 starter, but twice he’s gone on the injured list.

While his rehab stint in triple-A is progressing well, he did not pitch professionally last year and there’s no telling how many pitches he has left in his right arm to finish off 2024.

Ricky Tiedemann is making strides from an elbow injury as evidenced by an encouraging rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League.

It’s no secret Toronto’s rotation has been forced to shoulder so much with an offence producing so little.

Kevin Gausman wasn’t at his best, but he managed to keep the Jays in contention in Friday’s series opener.

In the second game of a three-game set against the visiting Cleveland Guardians, the Jays used Trevor Richards in the role of opener, the second time Richards has been asked to embrace this pitching part.

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During the team’s recent stay in Oakland, it was Bowden Francis whom the Jays handed the ball in the defacto role of starter. When Saturday’s fourth inning started, it was Francis on the mound as the Guardians faced their fourth pitcher on the day.

It turned into a day to remember for the Blue Jays, who gave their long-suffering fans a reason to cheer following a 5-0 win.

Against Cleveland, Francis gave up four hits in four scoreless innings. Francis pitched four shutout innings in Oakland.

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The Jays made the most of their hits, highlighted by a three-run second inning. They were much better, but anything would have qualified as better given the mediocrity that marred Friday night’s setback.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ended an 0-for-19 skid when he reached base on a sharply hit infield hit in the fifth inning.

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Defensively, the Jays were solid.

Francis was stellar for the second time in a row.

Lack of power was once again evident, but at least hits were recorded, runs scored and a win produced on a day the Jays drew four walks.

At least the Blue Jays have given themselves an opportunity to win a series if Sunday’s rubber match can be seized with Jose Berrios scheduled to start.

LINEUP TUNEUP

Bo Bichette was unavailable because of right calf soreness, an ailment the team’s starting short stop has been nursing the past few games.

Without Bichette, the Jays used Justin Turner at cleanup, one of six changes the club made from Friday’s look.

When a team manages to record three hits in a 3-1 loss, conventional thinking dictates the players who produced the hits would be back in the starting lineup.

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Instead, both Ernie Clement, who had two hits, and Davis Schneider, who knocked in the lone run, were not in Saturday’s lineup. Schneider did enter the game as a defensive replacement in the eighth inning at second base.

According to manager John Schneider, the Jays wanted to lean on players who have a track record.

Fair enough.

It’s also fair to point out how the likes of Turner and George Springer, who each fall under the veteran category, have been struggling.

Turns out there was some method to the madness as Turner led off the second inning by drawing a walk.

Daulton Varsho, who hasn’t exactly been knocking the cover off the ball, then stroked a double.

Up stepped Springer, who promptly knocked in Turner as the Jays took a 1-0 lead.

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With Springer keen on swiping second base, a hole opened on the left side of the infield, a vacant area Addison Barger found. Springer scored to give Barger his first-career RBI in his second stint with the big-league club.

Springer would score his second run to give the Jays a 4-0 lead in the fourth inning on an encouraging day for the beleaguered veteran.

The Jays have been quite proficient in scoring runs in the second inning and that theme continued on a sun-drenched day when three runs on four hits would be produced off Guardians starter Carlos Carrasco.

The veteran righty needed 11 pitches to retire the side in order in the first inning, an Achilles heel for the Blue Jays that reached 29 scoreless first innings that threatened a major league record.

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In the second, 27 pitches were necessary from Carrasco when eight batters came to the plate as the Blue Jays added to their status as baseball’s highest-scoring team in the second inning.

POP APLENTY

On a day the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame welcomed its latest class, Mississauga’s Josh Naylor was back at first base for the Guardians with brother Bo behind the plate.

Josh Naylor moved one spot up in the order once Jose Ramirez, who normally bats in the No. 3 hole, was placed on the paternity list.

Zach Pop, who is from Brampton, entered the game in the third inning with two runners on base. He needed two pitches to record a force-out at third base.

For a  guy who wasn’t even on the opening day roster, Pop has shown more than capable when summoned out of the bullpen.

The same can’t be said for Tim Mayza, who was once a pen stalwart.

In Milwaukee, the lefty gave up three hits, including a home run, before he was replaced after recording one out.

Mayza followed Richards Saturday and allowed more hits (2) than he recorded outs (1) before Pop entered the game.

fzicarelli@postmedia.com

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