Goins, Goins, gone! Jay makes statement
Substitute shortstop hits grand slam, one of four homers by Toronto in rout of Brewers
MILWAUKEE — Ryan Goins left a strong impression in what might be his last game as the Toronto Blue Jays’ shortstop.
A grand slam could help Goins continue to get playing time once the injured Troy Tulowitzki returns to the lineup.
Goins’ sixth-inning grand slam was one of four homers hit by the Blue Jays in an 8-4 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday. The Blue Jays swept the twogame interleague series and wrapped up a seven-game road trip with three straight victories.
Tulowitzki and third baseman Josh Donaldson, who are both on the 10-day disabled list, could return from minor-league rehab assignments when the team opens a series this weekend against Texas.
Goins might be relegated back to a utility role just as he extended his modest hitting streak to three games, going five of 10 in that stretch. “Yeah, I think I can play every day. So that’s what I come to work for every day, playing or not, and now it will be interesting to see,” he said.
Goins is known especially for a good glove. But the left-handed hitter had been in a slump that forced his average to dip to .185 before his recent hot stretch.
“Tulowitzki isn’t far off so his playing time is going to dwindle,” manager John Gibbons said. “He’s always believed he’s an everyday player and he’s had a chance to show everyone here that he can do it.”
Kevin Pillar, Devon Travis and Jose Bautista hit solo shots for the Blue Jays, who have homered in four straight games.
Bautista’s towering shot caromed off the Miller Lite sign high above the centre-field wall, 400 feet from the plate.
“Bautista is locked in right now, you can tell,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said.
Marcus Stroman (5-2) allowed four hits and a season-high four walks but won his fourth straight game, pitching into the sixth before Domingo Santana’s twoout, three-run homer cut Toronto’s lead to four.
The bullpen ended the afternoon by retiring 10 of the Brewers’ final 11 hitters.
“Great job. This is a tough ballpark to pitch in. It really flies here. But they stepped up,” Gibbons said about his relievers.