Orioles Hit 4 HRs, Beat Slumping Blue Jays 6-4
TORONTO (AP) — Home plate umpire Dale Scott was hit in the face mask by a foul tip from Baltimore slugger Mark Trumbo on Friday night, casting a shadow over the Orioles' 6-4 victory over the struggling Toronto Blue Jays.
Scott recoiled after the ball struck the bottom of his mask and staggered backward before going down on one knee in the eighth inning. After being examined by Blue Jays trainer George Poulis, the veteran crew chief lay down on his back on the turf behind home plate and received further attention from paramedics and Toronto's team physician, Dr. Irv Feferman.
Once his neck was immobilized on a spinal board, Scott was lifted onto a cart and driven off the field. The game resumed with second base umpire Brian Knight working behind home plate.
J.J. Hardy hit a two-run homer for first-place Baltimore, which improved to 4-0 against Toronto. Chris Davis, Jonathan Schoop, and Seth Smith also connected, and Wade Miley (1-0) pitched six innings for his first win of the season.
Toronto has dropped seven in a row, extending its franchise-worst start. The Blue Jays' 28 runs are the fewest in the majors.
Before the game, Toronto put slugging third baseman Josh Donaldson on the 10-day disabled list with a sore right calf. It's the first DL stint of his career.
Blue Jays ace Aaron Sanchez (0-1) allowed five runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Davis' drive in the sixth was the 18th of his career at Rogers Centre. Smith connected against Ryan Tepera in the ninth.
Toronto's Devon Travis snapped a 0-for-29 slump with an RBI single off Zach Britton in the ninth. Britton struck out former teammate Steve Pearce with runners at first and second to earn his fifth save.
WORTH NOTING
Britton matched Tom Gordon by converting his 54th consecutive opportunity, the second-longest streak ever. The record belongs to Eric Gagne (84).
BEEN A WHILE
Baltimore took a 1-0 lead in the second when Davis scored on a wild pitch. Toronto answered with two in the bottom half to lead for the first time in 35 innings.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Orioles: RHP Chris Tillman (shoulder) felt good after a bullpen session in Florida and will make a 45-pitch rehab start at Double-A Bowie on Monday.
Blue Jays: INF/OF Chris Coghlan was selected from Buffalo to replace Donaldson. Typically an outfielder, Coghlan has made 29 career appearances at third base.
UP NEXT
Orioles: RHP Alex Asher will be promoted from Triple-A to face Toronto as Baltimore needs a fifth starter for the first time. Asher made one start at Norfolk, pitching 4 1/3 scoreless innings.
Blue Jays: LHP J.A. Happ (0-2, 5.40 ERA) has allowed two home runs in each of his first two starts, including a 3-1 loss at Baltimore on April 5.
