Ryan 2-for-2 in saves as Jays top Twins at home
TORONTO (AP) -- Gustavo Chacin looked as good as he did last
year.
Chacin made a strong first start, Jason Phillips hit a
tiebreaking double and B.J. Ryan got his second save, leading the
Blue Jays over the Minnesota Twins 6-3 Thursday night.
Chacin (1-0) allowed three runs and six hits in 6 2-3 innings,
struck out four and walked one. The left-hander went 13-9 with a
3.72 ERA in his rookie season.
"I don't want to change anything," Chacin said.
Toronto manager John Gibbons would like a repeat of last season
too.
"He picked up right where he left off last year," Gibbons
said.
Ryan, signed to a $47 million, five-year contract -- the richest
ever for a reliever -- entered in the ninth to loud cheers. He
walked one and struck out one.
"It's nice to be able to bring in your closer and sit back and
relax," Gibbons said.
Lyle Overbay tripled and hit an RBI single for the Blue Jays,
who took two of three in the opening series. Despite all the big
offseason additions to Toronto's roster, attendance was just
16,221.
"We played a pretty good team that has a changed lineup,"
Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We battled. We're OK. I
like how we competed here."
Carlos Silva (0-1) allowed six runs -- five earned -- and five
hits in 5 2-3 innings. Silva walked two -- his first game with more
than one walk since Sept. 26, 2004 at Cleveland, a span of 28
starts.
"Nobody is perfect," Silva said.
Silva dismissed manager Gardenhire's suggestion that the World
Baseball Classic kept him from pitching enough innings in spring
training.
"Oh man, that question is getting old. Next question," Silva
said. "Forget about the World Classic. That's old. I'm ready."
Shannon Stewart led off the first with a double, advanced to
second on a bunt and scored on Torii Hunter's RBI grounder, but
Overbay's RBI single and Shea Hillenbrand's sacrifice fly gave
Toronto a 2-1 lead in the fourth.
After Nick Punto's run-scoring single tied it in the fifth,
Overbay hit a two-out triple in the sixth and scored on Phillips'
two-run double, which chased Silva.
Aaron Hill had a run-scoring infield single off Juan Rincon, and
Frank Catalanotto walked with the bases loaded.
Phillips likely made his last start before he's optioned to the
minors to make room for catcher Gregg Zaun.
Phillips is a favorite of Gibbons, having played for him when
Gibbons managed the Mets' Triple-A affiliate.
"All I read was that I was just a favor to Gibby that I'm on
the team," Phillips said. "It's good if I can make good for
Gibby."
Mike Redmond knocked out Chacin with an RBI double in the
seventh.Game notes
Toronto RHP A.J. Burnett allowed one run, three hits and
two walks while striking out two in four innings during a rehab
start for Class A Dunedin against Clearwater. Burnett has been
sidelined with a sore elbow. He's scheduled to make one more rehab
start before being making his first start for Toronto on April 16.
Burnett signed a $55 million, five-year contract during the
offseason, three years after elbow surgery. ... Toronto CF Vernon
Wells robbed Justin Morneau of a hit with diving catch in the
seventh.
TOR Wins 2-1
Game Information
- Umpires:
- Home Plate Umpire - Jeff Nelson
- First Base Umpire - Tim Timmons
- Second Base Umpire - Joe Brinkman
- Third Base Umpire - Derryl Cousins
2023 American League Central Standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Minnesota | 85 | 74 | .535 | - | L1 |
Detroit | 75 | 83 | .475 | 9.5 | W3 |
Cleveland | 75 | 84 | .472 | 10 | W1 |
Chicago | 61 | 98 | .384 | 24 | W1 |
Kansas City | 54 | 104 | .342 | 30.5 | L2 |