Grichuk, Smoak, Hernandez homer, Jays win series against Twins

Justin Smoak clubbed a two-run home run in the fourth inning to help the Toronto Blue Jays secure a 7-4 win over the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on Thursday. Photo: Jay Blue (file photo)

April 18, 2019

By Jay Blue

Blue Jays from Away

The Toronto Blue Jays rebounded from a Wednesday night loss to the Minnesota Twins to beat them 7-4 on Thursday afternoon despite a shaky start from Clay Buchholz.

The Blue Jays got on the board early thanks to a solo home run by Randal Grichuk in the first inning and the Jays added two more before the day was done. Justin Smoak's two-run shot in the fourth inning was part of a five-run inning (highlighted by a three-run double by Eric Sogard) and Teoscar Hernandez hit a solo shot in the eighth. The club's offensive powerhouse, Freddy Galvis, was 0/4 but Sogard had a pair of hits to go with his three RBI. Smoak and Hernandez each had just the one hit while Rowdy Tellez was 1/4 with a run and Billy McKinney and Danny Jansen each added a single.

On the pitching side, Buchholz went 4 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks with four strikeouts but Thomas Pannone came on to finish the fifth, retiring the only batter he saw with a strikeout. Ryan Tepera made his return to the Blue Jays, coming off the injured list with a three-up, three-down sixth, striking out one and Tim Mayza gave up a solo home run in the seventh. Joe Biagini was credited with the win, with a three-up, three-down inning in the eighth, striking out one and Ken Giles allowed a hit but struck out two in the ninth to earn his sixth save.

The Blue Jays continue their road trip by heading to Oakland to take on the A's with Marcus Stroman on the mound for Friday's opener at 10:07 p.m. E.T.

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