TORONTO — Ernie Clement homered for the third time in his last three games, and the Toronto Blue Jays used a five-run second inning to build an early lead and beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-3 on Thursday night.
Clement's homer came on an out-of-the-strike zone fastball 4.6 feet off the ground from right-hander Mike Baumann. It was the second-highest pitch hit for a home run in the Statcast era (since 2015).
«I probably shouldn't be swinging at pitches like that one,» Clement said. «I've struck out on that pitch a couple of times this year. I just try to get the barrel to the ball with two strikes.»
Ernie Clement's home run off Mike Baumann came on a pitch 4.6 feet off the ground, the second-highest hit for a HR in the Statcast era (since 2015):
Angels manager Ron Washington offered a different take.
«Sometimes you do the impossible,» he said.
The Blue Jays, who swept a three-game road series against the Angels last week, have won four straight meetings and eight of 10.
Niko Kavadas hit a three-run home run for his first major league hit, connecting off Toronto right-hander Tommy Nance with two outs in the ninth inning.
«Definitely a big relief,» Kovadas said.
The Angels lost for the eighth time in 10 games hours after they announced a two-year contract extension for general manager Perry Minasian.
«We hadn't scored a run in 17 innings and then we finally broke through,» Washington said. «Hopefully that gives us a boost for tomorrow.»
Los Angeles lost 3-0 at Kansas City on Wednesday.
Reliever Ryan Burr started for the Blue Jays, who pushed all their regular starters back a day to give them extra rest. Toronto and Boston are scheduled to resume a suspended game in the top of the second inning Monday before playing a second
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