Blue Jays Triumph Over Angels with Strong Second Inning

TORONTO – The Toronto Blue Jays secured a 5-3 victory against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night, propelled by a five-run second inning. Ernie Clement continued his impressive form, hitting his third home run in as many games, marking a significant moment in the Statcast era as one of the highest pitches hit for a home run since 2015. This win extends the Blue Jays' dominance over the Angels, having swept a three-game series last week and winning four consecutive matchups overall. Niko Kavadas made his major league debut memorable by hitting a three-run home run in the ninth inning, providing a late spark for the Angels after a long scoring drought. "We hadn't scored a run in 17 innings and then we finally broke through," said Angels manager Phil Washington, reflecting on the team's struggles. Despite the late effort, the Angels were unable to overcome the early deficit established by the Blue Jays. Toronto's pitching was a key factor in the game, with left-hander Ryan Yarbrough delivering five shutout innings, striking out four and walking none. His performance followed a shaky start from right-hander Tommy Nance, who allowed two hits before being replaced. The Blue Jays capitalized on their opportunities, with Alejandro Kirk and Will Wagner contributing crucial RBIs during the second inning. Clement's home run, his tenth of the season, solidified the Blue Jays' lead, making him the second player on the team to hit home runs in three consecutive games this season, joining Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The Blue Jays' early offensive surge proved decisive, as they maintained control throughout the game.