Jun. 03, 2024 22:36 PM EST

Hays And Rodriguez Help The Orioles Beat The Blue Jays 7-2 For 9Th Win In 11 Games

By IAN HARRISON
Associated Press
Baltimore Orioles pitcher Grayson Rodriguez throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto, Monday, June 3, 2024. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP) Christopher Katsarov, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Baltimore Orioles pitcher Grayson Rodriguez throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto, Monday, June 3, 2024. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)
Baltimore Orioles' Anthony Santander celebrates while rounding the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto, Monday, June 3, 2024. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in Toronto, Monday, June 3, 2024. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)
Baltimore Orioles' Austin Hays (21) celebrates with teammate Colton Cowser (17) after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto, Monday, June 3, 2024. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) is forced out at second base by Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Monday, June 3, 2024. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)
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TORONTO (AP) — Austin Hays hit two home runs and Grayson Rodriguez pitched two-run ball into the seventh inning, helping the Baltimore Orioles beat the Toronto Blue Jays 7-2 on Monday night.

Anthony Santander and Ramón Urías also went deep as Baltimore won for the ninth time in 11 games. The Orioles are 31-11 when they hit more than one home run.

Colton Cowser added an RBI double as Baltimore improved to 12-4 against AL East opponents.

Rodriguez (6-2) allowed one earned run and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings in his first win in four career starts against Toronto.

“That’s his best start of the year,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said.

Rodriguez struck out four and walked none in his longest outing of the season.

“Tonight there was a lot of early contact,” Rodriguez said. “When they’re giving me that early contact for outs, I’m going to take it.”

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a solo drive for his sixth homer for the Blue Jays. Guerrero has 23 career home runs against Baltimore, his most against any opponent.

Hays hit a two-run drive to left with two out in the fourth for his first homer of the season. He led off the seventh with a first-pitch homer off Kevin Gausman.

“It’s great to see him, after a tough start, play with some edge right now,” Hyde said.

It was Hays’ sixth career multihomer game. He hit at least 16 homers in each of the previous three seasons.

Hays said he’s feeling back at full strength after he was sidelined from April 22 to May 13 because of a strained left calf.

“I’ve been confident since I came off the IL,” Hays said. “I’ve been swinging it really good. I swung it good through my rehab. It’s just starting to show up now.”

Santander connected for his 11th homer after Ryan O’Hearn walked leading off the second.

Gausman (4-4) was charged with six runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings in his first loss since April 23 at Kansas City. He allowed a season-high three homers, more than he had given up in his past nine starts combined.

“I really feel like I only made two mistakes and both of them left the park,” Gausman said.

Orioles infielder Connor Norby made his major league debut at second base after he was promoted from Triple-A Norfolk. He batted ninth and went 0 for 3 with two swinging strikeouts before he was replaced by Urías in the bottom of the seventh.

“He did fine,” Hyde said of Norby. “Nice to get his first start, I’m sure, and his first few at-bats out of the way. He’ll be back in there tomorrow.”

Urías made it 7-2 with a solo homer off Ryan Burr in the ninth.

Home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi ejected Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker for arguing balls and strikes in the top of the fourth. The ejection was Walker’s first of the season.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Orioles: INF Jorge Mateo was placed on the seven-day concussion list. Mateo left Sunday’s loss to Tampa Bay in the fourth inning after being struck by teammate Cedric Mullins’ bat while Mullins was loosening up around the on-deck circle. ... LHP John Means had surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow. Means had the same surgery in April 2022.

UP NEXT

RHP Corbin Burnes (5-2, 2.35 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Orioles on Tuesday night. The Blue Jays had not named a starter.

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This story has been corrected. A previous version had an incorrect final score.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

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