TORONTO — As he watched his team fight out of a two-run deficit in extra innings, Teoscar Hernandez said he was feeding off the energy in the dugout.
“I just had the confidence that my teammates were going to put some good at-bats in and we’re going to tie the game and win the ball game,” he said.
Hernandez hit a walk-off RBI single as part of a three-run 10th inning for the Toronto Blue Jays as they came from behind to defeat the Kansas City Royals 6-5 at Rogers Centre on Saturday.
After Vinnie Pasquantino hit a two-run home run in the top of the 10th inning to put the Royals (36-55) up 5-3, the Blue Jays (49-43) chipped away at the deficit.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led things off with an RBI double. The Blue Jays’ second baseman was emotionally charged up one pitch before that when a slider from Royals’ reliever Joel Payamps (2-3) was called a strike. Guerrero slammed his bat in disagreement with the call before driving in the run that cut Kansas City’s lead to 5-4.
“You don’t really see him show that much frustration, but I think in that moment it may have been a good thing for him,” Blue Jays interim manager John Schneider.
Raimel Tapia, pinch-hitting for Bradley Zimmer, followed with an RBI single to tie the game 5-5 before Hernandez singled to win the game for the Blue Jays.
Jordan Romano (3-2) picked up the win for the Blue Jays despite giving up the two-run homer to Pasquantino that gave the Royals the lead.
The Royals opened the scoring when Bobby Witt Jr. hit a two-out RBI single in the top of the third inning. Freddy Fermin came around from second base to score the run. Earlier in the inning, Fermin was initially called out at first base as part of a double play, but Kansas City challenged the play and was successful. The challenge allowed for the Royals to subsequently score the game’s opening run.
The Blue Jays tied the game later in the inning when Alejandro Kirk hit a two-out, RBI single. Danny Jansen came in to score by narrowly beating out the throw at the plate from Royals’ left fielder Edward Olivares.
In the fourth, the Royals reclaimed the lead after a triple by Ryan O’Hearn. Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Castillio was removed from the game following the hit by O’Hearn and was replaced with reliever Trevor Richards.
Castillo lasted just three-plus innings while allowing three runs and five hits while striking out one batter. The pitcher was notified the night before that he would be tasked with starting the game.
Nate Eaton hit a sacrifice fly RBI to increase Kansas City’s lead to 3-1.
George Springer hit a two-out, two-run single with the bases loaded to tie the game 3-3. The hit from Springer chased Royals starter Daniel Lynch out of the game.
In the sixth inning, Royals manager Mike Matheny was ejected from the game for arguing an interference call handed to Michael Massey, as Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen attempted to throw out a runner at second after a pitch. The call ended the inning for Kansas City, which had runners on first and second base.
“I just think it’s a bad call at a very bad time in the game,” Matheny said. It’s a judgment call so there’s nothing we can do about it, but it’s a shame.”
BASELINES: The Blue Jays announced that Santiago Espinal will head to the MLB All-Star Game to replace Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve, who was struck on the knee in a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday. Espinal joins teammates Alek Manoah, Guerrero Jr. and Alejandro Kirk as Blue Jays representing the American League on Tuesday in Los Angeles. … Before the game, the Blue Jays and Royals traded pitchers. Toronto acquired lefty Foster Griffin in exchange for righty Jonatan Berna. The Blue Jays also optioned Griffin to Triple-A and recalled right-handed pitcher Jeremy Beasley. Right-hander pitcher Sergio Romo was designated for assignment. Announced attendance for the game was 40,135.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 16, 2022
TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.
The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.
She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.
Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.
Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.
The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
