Local news. Delivered. Free. Click here and subscribe to our daily news wrap and get our top local stories delivered to your email inbox every evening.
By Canadian Press

Toronto takes advantage of 7th inning to seal 7-2 win over Arizona

Jul 14, 2023 | 7:51 PM

TORONTO — Matt Chapman and Whit Merrifield delivered run-scoring hits to spearhead a five-run seventh inning in the Toronto Blue Jays 7-2 win against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday.

The victory against the visiting Diamondbacks (52-40) improved Toronto’s interleague record to 17-7 this year.

In the three-game series opener and Toronto’s first outing since the all-star break, Chapman knocked in a run with a two-out double down the left-field line for his third hit in a 16-hit evening for the Blue Jays (51-41).

Arizona reliever Austin Adams was responsible for four runs in the seventh, but Kyle Nelson (4-2) was charged with the loss.

Brandon Belt began the inning with a fielder’s choice RBI to score Kevin Kiermaier, who led off the inning with a double to left field.

Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day 2026: Where to pay tribute across the region
8h ago
missing
Search suspended for missing north Island canoer
9h ago
powerful program
'It gives you hope:' Nanaimo students benefit from growing support program
12h ago

The first four runs of the inning were charged to reliever Austin Adams (0-2).

Fresh off his Home Run Derby win in Seattle as part of the MLB All-Star Game festivities last Monday, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. began the second inning with a smash into the left-centre seats for his 14th-round tripper.

Guerrero enjoyed a two-hit game and scored twice. Chapman made it 2-0, scoring on Kiermaier’s sacrifice fly to centre field.

Chapman followed Guerrero’s solo shot with a single. He advanced to third on Merrifield’s infield hit and Marte’s first error on Daulton Varsho’s grounder.

The Diamondbacks made it 2-1 in the fourth inning. Marte led off with a double over Kiermaier, advanced to third on Corbin Carroll’s groundout to Guerrero and scored on Jose Berrios’ wild pitch.

Berrios lasted 5 ⅓ innings and yielded a run on seven hits with seven strikeouts and a walk. Reliever Trevor Richards (1-1) replaced Berrios.

Richards gave up a one-out home run to former Toronto catcher Gabriel Moreno, who slammed a solo shot to right-centre for his third.

Arizona starter Ryne Nelson pitched 5 ⅔ innings. He gave up two runs on nine hits with three strikeouts.

PURPLE HAZE

Guerrero and the 38,617 at Rogers Centre gave Lourdes Gurriel Jr. a warm reception upon his first plate appearance in the second inning.

Gurriel doffed his cap to show off his wild purple-coloured hair to acknowledge the Blue Jays faithful. Guerrero joined in the applause from his first-base position before Gurriel ripped a fly ball nabbed at the centre-field wall by Kiermaier.

Gurriel and Moreno were traded to Arizona for Varsho last December.

ON DECK

Toronto starter Kevin Gausman (7-5) will face Diamondbacks righty Zac Gallen (11-3) in the middle game of the three-game set on Saturday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 14, 2023.

Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

More Local News

Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day 2026: Where to pay tribute across the region
8h ago
missing
Search suspended for missing north Island canoer
9h ago
powerful program
'It gives you hope:' Nanaimo students benefit from growing support program
12h ago
on guard
Nanaimo cadets forming overnight Cenotaph vigil ahead of Remembrance Day
19h ago
wet week
B.C. deluge could bring 250 mm of rain as forecasters predict flooding, landslides
22h ago