Toronto Blue Jays pitcher J.A Happ saved one of his prominent outings of the 2017 season for his return to his home state — a time that the Jays desperately needed it.
Happ, a native of Peru, Ill., hadn’t pitched in the state since Sept. 2013 — his first stint with the Jays. Happ had a season-high 10 strikeouts through seven innings and looked as comfortable as he’s been this season en route to the Jays' 5-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox.
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Happ has had his fair share of difficulties this season. His win total is subpar and he was the subject of many trade rumors, as the Jays became “sellers’ at the trade deadline. Happ’s appearance on Wednesday might have convinced the Jays that they made the right decision on keeping the left-hander After a rough first inning where the White Sox had the bases loaded, Happ limited the dramatics for the duration of his start. Happ provided the Jays with five shutout innings, including recording nine straight outs.
Who’s on third? I don’t know.
— MLB (@MLB) August 2, 2017
Because @BringerOfRain20 is covering shortstop. pic.twitter.com/b2w22mjPZ0
In return, the Blue Jays offense provided the same cushion that Happ had given them.
Outfielder Steve Pearce put the Jays up 2-0 in the sixth inning with his 11th homerun of the season, and while Pearce’s homerun proved to be the difference in the Jays’ win, third basemen Josh Donaldson continued his remarkable turnaround.
Donaldson, like Happ, is going through a bit of a down year. Donaldson has one-third the total number of RBI’s and homeruns that he had in 2017 but his series in Chicago has the capability to set Donaldson in the right direction going forward. Entering the top of the 9th, Donaldson was 0-3 and it looked like his homerun streak would end.
As White Sox reliever took the mound, Donaldson had one shot to continue his strong series performance. Donaldson sent Beck’s changeup over the left center wall to solidify the Jays' lead. Toronto sits 5.5 games back of the AL Wild Card spot and now is the time where teams are given clarification on where they stand playoff-wise. The Jays kick off a three-game series against the Astros, but with Tampa Bay and New York scheduled soon, it appears that the Jays are pulling together at an ideal time.