The Toronto Blue Jays will try to continue their run as the hottest team in the majors on Saturday when they resume a three-game series versus the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre.
The Blue Jays won their ninth straight game in dramatic fashion on Friday, as Rajai Davis delivered a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the ninth for a 7-6 win.
In the seventh inning, Munenori Kawasaki tied the game up with a two-run home run, the first of his career. Kawasaki, who's been filling in at shortstop for the injured Jose Reyes, has delivered eight of his 17 RBI this season against the Orioles.
"The legend grows. The Kawasaki legend grows, and rightfully so," Toronto starting pitcher R.A. Dickey said.
Kawasaki, Edwin Encarnacion and Maicer Izturis all finished with two hits apiece for the home team
Dickey was far from sharp, allowing six earned runs in six innings. Casey Janssen pitched a perfect ninth inning and was awarded the win.
Jason Hammel started for Baltimore and while he wasn't at his best (6 IP, 4 ER), he was in line for the win before Brian Matusz was handed the loss.
The Orioles were able to take the lead in the top of the sixth thanks to a three-run home run by Chris Davis, bringing his Major League-leading total to 27. J.J. Hardy also left the yard for his 15th longball of the season, as did Ryan Flaherty, his third of the year.
On Saturday, Miguel Gonzalez will try for his fourth consecutive win for the Orioles. Gonzalez has been one of the American League's best pitchers in June, going 3-0 with a 2.21 ERA in the month to improve to 5-2 with a 3.75 ERA on the season. He worked into the seventh inning his last time out, allowing five hits and three earned runs while earning the win against Boston on June 16.
Gonzalez has already faced the Blue Jays twice this season, going 1-0 while allowing four earned runs over 11 2/3 innings. He matched a career-high with seven strikeouts in his previous outing against the AL East foes on May 26.
For Toronto, Chien-Ming Wang will take the hill for his third start of the season, looking to improve upon his stellar campaign thus far (1-0, 3.14 ERA).
Wang has proven to be a solid addition to the Blue Jays staff, pitching at least seven innings in both of his outings. He earned his first win of the season on June 16 while throwing seven shutout innings against the Rangers.
"We didn't know what to expect, to be honest with you," Toronto manager John Gibbons said of the Wang acquisition. "He was one of the best in the game with (the Yankees). We got some good reports of him, otherwise he wouldn't be here. To be honest, he's pitching better than I expected of him."
Wang has had very little success against the Orioles in his career, owning a 5.91 ERA in 56 1/3 innings with a 3-2 mark in 10 games (9 starts).
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