Blue Jays kick offence into overdrive to trounce Angels 15-1
Bichette leads way with 5 RBI as Toronto chases Quintana in 7-run 2nd inning
Bo Bichette had five RBI, Randal Grichuk hit a three-run double during a seven-run second inning and the Toronto Blue Jays stopped a four-game skid by routing the visiting Los Angeles Angels 15-1 on Saturday night following a rain delay that lasted more than 2 1/2 hours.
"We all needed a night like this," Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. "It was great to see. Great at-bats."
After the start was delayed two hours 38 minutes, the first four innings took 2:07 to play. Overall the game lasted 3:21 and ended about 12 hours before Sunday's series finale was scheduled to start.
Steven Matz (2-0) gave up one run and five hits over six innings.
"We know our lineup is really, really good," Matz said. "It's fun to see them jell together."
Angels' skipper Maddon ejected
Anthony Rendon homered for the Angels, who were trying to go 7-2 and set a franchise record for the best nine-game start to a season.
Maddon was ejected for arguing in the third inning, one pitch after Juan Lagares was called out at first base and it stood following a short replay review.
There was a 5:45 double review of a fielder's choice grounder by Toronto's Danny Jansen in the second that produced the game's first run. Angels shortstop Jose Iglesias was charged with two errors for missing second base on a forceout try and making an errant throw to first base.
The tarp went on the field at TD Ballpark, the Blue Jays' spring training home being used for the first three homestands, about 2 1/2 hours before the scheduled 7:07 p.m. start time as dark and ominous clouds rolled in from the nearby Gulf of Mexico. Shortly after that heavy rain, lightning and wind gusts between 64-72 kilometres per hour engulfed the ballpark.
A second storm struck around an hour after the original start time.
WATCH | 9 memorable deadline deals ... in 90 seconds:
