Anthony Santander homers in Blue Jays' shutout win over Padres

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Suffice to say the baseball slang Tony Taters doesn’t quite ring true when Anthony Santander is spending most of his time at the plate striking out.

In fact, one can hear some in the background resorting to the term Tony Haters, given the switch-hitting slugger’s struggles.

On Sunday, he struck out three times in four at-bats.

In his first at-bat Tuesday, Santander added to his K total.

He then turned on a pitch in his second at-bat, a two-run home run he lined into right field after Alejandro Kirk drew a leadoff walk.

San Diego Padres starter Dylan Cease was almost unhittable.

At the same time, when he did surrender a hit it left the park.

The long ball came out early when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went deep in the first inning.

It’s the first time this season both Vlad Jr. and Santander have each hit a home run in the same game.

The Jays have given themselves two chances to win a series in the wake of their series-opening 3-0 victory Tuesday over San Diego, a quality team in the wildly competitive NL West that has lost four games in a row.

For the Jays, it was their first shutout of the season.

The following are three takeaways on a night the Blue Jays posted their third win on their current home stand, which began with series losses to Tampa Bay and Detroit.

SIZING UP THE JUNIORS

Outside of a pitcher/hitter matchup, any individual showdowns are hard to pin down.

The evening, however, did feature Vlad Jr. and Fernando Tatis Jr., two of the premier players in baseball.

When Tatis Jr. signed a 14-year deal worth US $340 million, many felt he was setting the bar for other baseball stars.

Vlad Jr.’s extension, which doesn’t kick in until next season, is also a 14-year deal, but he’ll earn $500 million.

Tatis Jr. led off the game for the visiting Padres by grounding out.

In Vlad Jr.’s first at-bat, he went deep for his sixth belt of the season, a total that ties him for the club lead with Daulton Varsho.

Tatis Jr. entered the game having hit 12 homers, tied for eighth best in the majors.

Objectively speaking, if one had the choice picking between the two, the consensus would favour Tatis Jr. over Vlad Jr.

CHRIS CROSSES THE LINE

Blue Jays starting pitcher Chris Bassitt went pitch for pitch with Cease.

After giving up the homer to Vlad Jr., Cease retired the next 11 batters he faced.

For the first time since the series finale in Seattle, the Jays actually scored first, which allowed a pitcher such as Bassitt to settle into his start, as opposed to forcing matters.

In one of his best, an argument could be made that in fact it was his best, outings of the season, Bassitt would give up four hits, which included only one for extra bases (a first-inning double to Luis Arraez), in tossing six complete innings.

The veteran right-hander threw 100 pitches and allowed one walk, while striking out six.

After he gave up the one-out double to Arraez, Bassitt ended the inning with successive strikeouts.

ADDISON SIN

There’s a lot to like when it comes to Addison Barger, who was once again at third base.

From a physical standpoint, the kid has the look of a major leaguer.

One of these days, he’ll have to find a way to refine the area between the ears.

After Santander went deep, Barger ignited the Jays’ version of small ball, which began when he reached base on a single.

He stole second, Barger’s first base swipe of the season.

He then advanced to third on a sac bunt by Ernie Clement.

The bad Barger kicked in when he was picked off at third, an absolute no-no for someone whose ceiling appears high.

For Barger to one day reach his full potential, he’ll have to be smarter and try to exercise less aggressiveness.

Barger was involved in the game’s final out when he fielded a grounder and easily threw across the diamond to first.

Jeff Hoffman earned his 10th save to preserve the win for Bassitt.

UP NEXT

The Jays’ nine-game home stand continues with the second game of the three-game set versus the Padres with Kevin Gausman scheduled to take the hill for Wednesday’s 7:07 pm. first pitch. He will oppose San Diego’s Randy Vasquez.