This Game Had Everything: Blue Jays 4, Indians 2

Monday’s tilt between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Cleveland Indians had a little bit of everything. There was a whole week’s worth of narratives crammed into nine innings of play and the game really did have something for everyone.

Solid starting pitching, clutch hitting, spectacular defense, weirdness on the base paths, a manager ejection and ultimately, a win for the Toronto Blue Jays.

The hours leading up to game time were monopolized by the Edwin Encarnacion storyline, and while it was nice to see the Blue Jays pay tribute to one of their all-time leading sluggers, but after niceties were exchanged, the Jays quickly got down to business.
 

Goins Goes Yard

439 feet. 😳@budcanada https://t.co/nGH1r3186j pic.twitter.com/SoDuiHIm5t

— Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 9, 2017

Want to know how the 2017 season is going for the Blue Jays? Jose Bautista can’t seem to hit a ball out of the infield, but Ryan Goins is barreling balls into the second deck.

Maybe it’s the fact that Goins is getting everyday at bats with Troy Tulowitzki on the disabled list, but Goins has been one of the pleasant surprises of the season so far for the Blue Jays.

Goins crushed an inside offering from Trevor Bauer into the second deck at the Rogers Centre for his third home run of the season, one more than Jose Bautista.

Superman Returns

There goes Superman Pillar again … pic.twitter.com/w6nYYBvBcJ

— Ian Hunter (@BlueJayHunter) May 9, 2017

It’s getting more and more difficult to find the proper superlative to describe what Kevin Pillar is able to do in the outfield. This game-saving catch on the warning track is among the better on his highlight reel resume.

The man is absolutely fearless diving on artificial turf. Much like Kevin Kiermaier playing on AstroTurf in Tampa Bay, these guys should get hazard pay for doing what they do on carpeted concrete.

Tulo in Shorts

Tulo in Dad shorts … of course. pic.twitter.com/uCVSnc2604

— Ian Hunter (@BlueJayHunter) May 9, 2017

This had nothing to do with the game whatsoever, but people found it fascinating to see Troy Tulowitzki taking grounders in shorts.

The botched rundown and gibby gets tossed

A HOT DOG ISNT A DAMN SANDWICH AND YOU KNOW IT pic.twitter.com/ImMOexe2eF

— Gibby GIFS (@GibbyGIFS) May 9, 2017

I’m pretty sure this is the second case this year where Blue Jays’ infielders have allowed a runner to score from third base on a rundown attempt between first and second base.

The exchange between Devon Travis and Ryan Goins wasn’t pretty as Travis was ultimately called for interference obstruction. John Gibbons came out and was ejected, but in true Gibby fashion, gave the crew chief a piece of his mind.

Bautista Gets Mad

Bautista doing some "aggressive remodeling". pic.twitter.com/BsqHE17J8T

— Ian Hunter (@BlueJayHunter) May 9, 2017

Cue the “that’s the best swing he’s had all year” jokes. Here’s Jose Bautista after learning the Blue Jays ordered spearmint gum instead of peppermint.