August 22, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Nico Cavadas (28) hits a three-run double in the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Center After the home run, celebrate with your teammates in the dugout. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports The visiting Los Angeles Angels are hoping Niko Kavadas' three-run homer in his first major league at-bat will provide momentum heading into Friday night's game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Cavadas hit a home run to left field with two outs in the ninth inning against Tommy Nance on Thursday, but it was too late to prevent the opener of the four-game series. The game was lost 5-3.
However, it's an encouraging development for the Angels, who have lost eight of 10 games.
“It's definitely a big relief,” Cavadas said.
“We didn't score a run in 17 innings, and then we finally broke through,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “Hopefully this will give us some motivation tomorrow.”
The Angels opened their 10-game road trip with a 3-0 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday in the deciding game of a three-game series.
Another encouraging development Thursday came from right-hander Griffin Canning, who allowed two hits and struck out six in six scoreless innings of relief.
This is Canning's first substitute appearance after starting 25 games this season. With Canning struggling in recent games, the Angels started with Brock Burke, followed by Mike Baumann, Toronto's five-game starter.
Toronto went five scoreless innings behind left-hander Ryan Yarbrough. The Blue Jays gave their rotation an extra day of rest by using Ryan Burr as the starter.
The Blue Jays continue to deal with the Angels. The Toronto Raptors swept Anaheim 19-5 in three games last week.
Ernie Clement sealed the win for Toronto with a two-run home run in the second inning. This is his 10th home run of the season and the first time in his career that he has hit three consecutive home runs. Over his past 25 games, he's batting .307 (31 in 101 games) with five doubles, one triple, four home runs and 18 RBIs.
“I finally think I've turned it around a little bit and have a bigger impact on the ball,” Clement said. “I'm more comfortable at the plate. I just see a little better so I can make the 'A' swing instead of just trying to hit the ball. My approach is more refined now and I can Go there with a plan.
“When I’m not feeling good, sometimes I’ll just go back to trying to hit the ball instead of having a real plan and executing on it.”
His home run on Thursday came off a lofty fastball.
“I probably shouldn't have swung at a ball like that,” Clement said with a smile.
“I've never seen this before,” head coach John Schneider said. “I was basically just saying, 'Oh my God (beep)' along with everyone else in the dugout. It's just elite bat skills. It's a blessing and a curse that he's swinging a really hot ball right now. Great.
The Blue Jays have hit a home run in 11 straight games, their longest streak since a 12-game stretch from August 28 to September 9, 2021.
Toronto is scheduled to start right-hander Chris Bassett (9-12, 4.34 ERA) on Friday. Bassett, looking to bounce back from back-to-back losses to the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics, has a 7-3 record with an ERA in 13 career games (11 starts) against the Angels The rate is 3.39.
Right-hander Jack Kochanowicz (1-3, 6.53) is expected to start in Los Angeles. He had just suffered a 3-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves, allowing two runs in six innings. The rookie has never faced the Toronto Raptors.
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