Shane Bieber shines in Blue Jays debut with nine strikeouts as Toronto beats Miami
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Of all the moves, and there were many, that the Blue Jays engineered at last month’s MLB trade deadline, the one that reverberated was the acquisition of Shane Bieber, who was in the midst of making his long road back following elbow surgery.
In his first appearance on a big-league mound since April of last year, things could not have gone any better for the former Cy Young Award winner and the Blue Jays in a 5-2 triumph over the Marlins in Miami.
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The right-hander did hit a batter in the first inning and serve up a solo homer in the second, but other than those expected blips, the new-look Bieber looked like the Bieber of old. He struck out the first two batters he faced against a rookie-laden Marlins lineup, and finished with nine punchouts in six innings while not walking anyone and giving up just two hits.
More starts will follow before the post-season begins as the Jays continue to evaluate their starting rotation with an eye on the playoffs.
Bieber was the staff ace in Cleveland and among the best in the business prior to his elbow injury.
His stellar debut now in the books, Bieber’s value will be measured in the playoffs.
Enjoy the Bieber experience while it lasts because he does have a player option for next season.
The following are three takeaways on a night when Daulton Varsho homered and doubled to drive in three runs.
Bieber fever
No better way when ushering in a return than pitching with a 3-0 lead, a luxury Bieber was afforded when facing the inexperienced Marlins lineup.
The youthful order coupled with the early advantage allowed the right-hander to quickly ease into his start in what turned out to be a man-among-boys scenario.
He’s not overpowering and he doesn’t have that overt competitive fire Max Scherzer always brings to the mound, but Bieber showed why he can be so effective.
What stood out was how comfortable Bieber looked on the mound and how decisive he threw whatever pitch was required.
A break for Barger
The way he’s been scuffling at the plate lately, Addison Barger should be moved down in the order, not up.
It’s no indictment on Barger, who has emerged as a legitimate power threat this season, but is now in need of a reset.
Barger was batting second in the order against Marlins’ righty starter Ryan Gusto and wound up going 1-for-4, his lone hit a one-single in the third inning. Since belting his 18th homer on Aug. 10 against the Dodgers, he is now just 5-for-33 with one RBI.
Tour de France
Ty France was back at first base in the wake of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (hamstring) not being in the lineup.
France is a much more accomplished defender, but he is nowhere near as imposing at the plate as Vladdy.
However, in the top of the first inning, France sent a grounder into right field that scored two runs as the Jays were off and running. He was a bit overzealous, though, in trying to advance to second where he was thrown out.
France recorded his second hit on the night with one out in the fourth inning, his third multi-hit game in his 18th game with the Blue Jays.
France and Varsho combined to record four of the Jays’ eight hits with none produced by the bottom of the order.
Guerrero, meanwhile, did some pre-game sprints on the field and took batting practice. He was pulled after two at-bats in Monday’s series opener in Pittsburgh with left hamstring inflammation.
Up next
A make it or break it start would be stretching the limits of logic, but Saturday does loom as a big day for RHP Jose Berrios … He was pedestrian in going 4.1 innings in his most recent start against visiting Texas when he gave up 10 hits, including two home runs and six earned runs. In his 26 starts heading into Saturday (4:10 p.m. first pitch), Berrios has yielded 22 belts and a poor outing may force the Jays’ hands to use Berrios out of the bullpen, a slide no one foresaw when he started on opening day.
fzicarelli@postmedia.com
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