Blue Jays’ booming bats come alive to stage comeback win over Reds

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The frenzy over Bieber fever took a hit Wednesday when Shane Bieber gave up far too many hits in a five-run second inning to the host Cincinnati Reds, including issuing his first walk with the Blue Jays.

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In his third start, it looked like the former Cy Young Award winner was starting all over again following elbow surgery.

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He looked like Bieber from his previous two starts when he began the night with a 10-pitch first inning in retiring the side.

Quickly, adversity struck as Bieber gave up five hits in a 33-pitch second inning.

The way the rotation lined up last week it looked like Bieber would start in the series opener Friday in the Bronx.

Regardless, when a pitcher known for his command lacks command, sequences such as the second inning are unavoidable.

But these Blue Jays have proven to be resilient and they responded by hitting three solo homers courtesy of George Springer, Daulton Varsho and Alejandro Kirk.

Bieber regained his command and it was game on after Addison Barger’s two-run blast.

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Suddenly, Bieber was pitching with a 6-5 lead following Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s go-ahead slam.

Bieber retired 11 in a row before issuing a one-out walk in the sixth inning, which ended on a double play.

What looked so bleak would end on an encouraging note for Bieber, who didn’t give up a hit after that sloppy second in a 98-pitch outing.

The way Bieber bounced back bodes well for someone who will be pitching in much more meaningful games.

No game is complete without mentioning Toronto’s bullpen.

In his second stint with the club, Ryan Borucki looked shaky after Tommy Nance gave up one run in relief of Bieber, while Louis Varland was uncompetitive in surrendering three runs.

Brendon Little entered the game with two outs in the eighth inning and would record the third out on a strikeout.

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In the background, fans of the club were exhaling.

Jeff Hoffman pitched a clean ninth inning in a non-save situation as the Jays used their fifth reliever.

Offence carried the day on this night as the Jays took the series, 2-1.

The following are three takeaways on a night the Jays would score in seven straight innings in fashioning their 13-9 comeback win, a night when five homers were recorded to give Toronto nine in back-to-back victories, a night when every player in the starting lineup save Bo Bichette had at least one hit.

1. Skinny on Vlad Jr.

His left hamstring shows no lingering effects after Vlad Jr. was forced to leave a game in Pittsburgh because of inflammation when the Jays dropped a series.

In Tuesday’s slugfest at Great American Ball Park, Vlad Jr. stole a base in the ninth inning and would come around to score a key add-on run.

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He DH’d Wednesday and drew a walk, his 75th of the season, in his first at-bat.

Since his return, Vlad Jr. hadn’t recorded an extra-base hit, but it would change when he hit his first home run since Aug. 17 to give the Jays a one-run lead.

2. Two premature to fret

The Jays don’t seem to have lost any confidence in Barger as evidenced by the club’s decision to keep the young slugger in the No. 2 hole in the order.

Heading into Wednesday night, Barger hadn’t hit a homer since Aug. 10.

During that stretch, he has recorded nine hits and only two for extra bases.

At least Barger’s defence (he started in right field Wednesday) has not suffered amid his struggles at the plate.

With one swing, the Bam Bam Barger version returned when he went deep.

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After being fitted for the home run jacket, the look of relief spoke volumes.

Barger had a four-RBI night to tie a season high.

3. Remember him?

Anthony Santander will accompany the club to New York.

The team’s big free-agent signing this past off-season hasn’t appeared in a game since May 29 because of a shoulder injury.

As early as next Tuesday, the switch-hitting slugger is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment for a minimum of five games, per manager John Schneider.

Barring some kind of setback, Santander should be back with the big-league club at some point this month.

In his final season with the Orioles last year, Santander fully took advantage of his pending free agency by hitting 44 home runs and driving in 102 runs, both career highs.

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With the Blue Jays, Santander has gone yard six times, while driving in 18 runs in 184 at-bats.

By any standard, Santander has been a bust.

But there should be time to change the narrative, depending on health and how the Jays adjust their lineup.

Up next

An off day in the Big Apple is the appetizer for the Blue Jays before a three-game series against the Bronx Bombers begins Friday. The Jays took six of seven against the Yankees in Toronto, while dropping two of three way back in late April when the club was in New York. After taking the series opener 4-2, the Jays were swept two days later in a doubleheader by a combined margin of 16-3.

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