Toronto Blue Jays in the WBC Update
By: Jay Blue
Blue Jays From Away
Crazy. That’s the only word there is for the end of the Italy/Mexico game in the World Baseball Classic last night. Though not as crazy as the 7th inning of the wild game in the ALDS last year against Texas, it was still pretty bizarre. Do you know what’s even more bizarre? Both the winning and the losing pitcher of that game are Blue Jays. In light of how influential several Blue Jays players were on their teams’ results, here’s an update on how the Blue Jays have done in the WBC so far.
Team Canada
Canada opened its tournament with a 9-2 loss to the Dominican Republic in which Dalton Pompey was 1-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a stolen base and he also threw out Jose Bautista at home. Former Blue Jay Andrew Albers threw two innings, giving up a hit and striking out two.
Team Dominican Republic
Jose Bautista was a monster for the DR, going 3-for-4 with four RBI, a home run and a walk, despite getting thrown out on the bases twice.
Team Italy
A couple of former Blue Jays got some action with Chris Colabello hitting a home run and going 2-for-4, and Pat Venditte giving up three runs in his inning of work. But it was Blue Jays minor leaguer Jordan Romano, who pitched for the Lansing Lugnuts and was born and grew up in Markham earned the win, throwing a scoreless top of the ninth, striking out two.
Team Mexico
The Blue Jays’ closer, Roberto Osuna, had a meltdown trying to protect a four-run lead for Mexico in the ninth. He took the loss, giving up five runs (four earned) without getting an out.
Team Israel
Israel doesn’t have any active Blue Jays but both Ty Kelly and Ryan Lavarnway played a year in the Jays’ minor league system with Lavarnway having a solid season with the Fisher Cats last year. Lavarnway is hitting .556 with a .692 OBP and .889 slugging percentage in three games, hitting a home run and was named the Pool A MVP after Israel swept away the competition. Kelly is hitting .250/.438/.333 in three games, going 3-for-12 with a double.