George Springer played a vital role in the Toronto Blue Jays’ 8-4 win over the Athletics on Sunday. He went 1-for-4 with an RBI and scored a run in the victory. However, he might have also made the most embarrassing out of his career.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Blue Jays were down 3-0. After Myles Straw singled to start the inning, the A’s got two quick outs, putting the Blue Jays on their heels. Luckily for the Canadians, their next hitter, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., was hit by a pitch, pushing Straw into scoring position, who would promptly be driven in by Springer on a single to left. The offense continued with Alejandro Kirk, who doubled, driving in Guerrero and pushing Springer to third.
Sure, there were two outs, but the Blue Jays were only down a run now with two men in scoring position. Surely, another hit would lift Toronto over the Athletics, right? Well, the Blue Jays never got that chance.
No. After the double put Springer at third base, the former World Series champion decided that it was a great time for calisthenics, as he jumped up and down on the bag, allowing Athletics third baseman Max Schuemann to tag him out mid-leap.
Springer was originally called safe, but video review was clear as day. The ball was on Springer and Springer was not on the bag. Toronto’s rally was dead in the water.
How did Springer do the rest of the game?
Springer only had two more plate appearances in the game, both of which came in the Blue Jays’ six-run eighth inning. In a sense, Springer was the reason that inning got going. He led off the eighth by reaching base via catcher interference and scored soon after on an Addison Barger home run. He did also ground out to end the inning though.
Springer ended the game going 1-for-4 with a run and an RBI.
Who won the series?
Toronto’s 8-4 win gave them the four-game series sweep against the Athletics, pushing their record to 31-28. The Blue Jays currently sit in second place in the AL East behind the first-place New York Yankees.
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