Ernie Clement homered for the third game in a row, and the Toronto Blue Jays scored 5 runs in the second inning to take an early lead and defeat the Los Angeles Angels 5-3 on Thursday night.
Clement’s homer came on a fastball from right-hander Mike Baumann that was above the strike zone. According to MLB, it was the second-highest pitch hit for a home run since pitch tracking started in 2008.
“I probably shouldn’t be swinging at pitches like that one,” Clement said. “I’ve struck out on that pitch a couple of times this year. I just try to get the barrel to the ball with two strikes.”
Angels manager Ron Washington had a different view. “Sometimes you do the impossible,” Washington said.
The Blue Jays, who had swept a three-game series against the Angels last week, have now won four straight games against them and eight of the last 10 meetings.
Niko Kavadas hit a three-run home run for his first major league hit, connecting off Toronto right-hander Tommy Nance with two outs in the ninth inning.
“Definitely a big relief,” Kavadas said. The Angels lost for the eighth time in 10 games, shortly after announcing a two-year contract extension for general manager Perry Minasian.
“We hadn’t scored a run in 17 innings and then we finally broke through,” Washington said. “Hopefully that gives us a boost for tomorrow.”
Los Angeles had lost 3-0 to Kansas City on Wednesday.
Reliever Ryan Burr started for the Blue Jays, who pushed back all their regular starters by a day to give them extra rest. Toronto and Boston are set to resume a suspended game in the top of the second inning on Monday before playing a second game later that day.
Right-handed Burr allowed two hits and left after Jo Adell led off the second inning with a single. Adell finished 3 for 4.
