Blue Jays pound error-prone Padres as Gausman looks sharp, but Santander hurt again

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One day after lifting a huge burden off his shoulders, Anthony Santander’s snake-bitten season with the Blue Jays continued.

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It’s never ideal when any kind of injury setback arises much like it did when the switch-hitter exited Wednesday night’s 14-0 pounding of the visiting San Diego Padres because of left hip inflammation.

Prior to his departure, Santander went 1-for-3 at the plate with two Ks.

He was given a day off last week with what the team described as a reset, only to confide that Santander was dealing with a shoulder issue.

Then came news that Santander was dealing with a hip impingement.

With June on the horizon, a healthy and productive Santander is a must if the Jays are intent on making some kind of move in the standings.

The Padres, meanwhile, are proving to be accommodating guests in losing the first two games of this three-game series by a combined score of 17-0.

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The Jays pounded out 14 hits, including two homers — one of them a grand slam by Daulton Varsho — as they turned a close 2-0 game into a rout with a dozen runs in the seventh and eighth innings.

Chris Bassitt got the ball rolling when he pitched a gem in the series opener. Kevin Gausman was even better on Wednesday, completing seven innings, while giving up three hits and striking out nine.

The following are three takeaways on a night the Jays would also take advantage of the Padres committing four errors.

1. THE .500 CLUB

The middling Blue Jays are back to the .500 mark.

Depending on whether one prefers to embrace the half-full or half-empty approach, the Jays have played well in winning two straight. At least they’re assured of a first series win since their road sweep of the Seattle Mariners two weekends ago..

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During this homestand, the Jays dropped two of three to Tampa and two of three to Detroit.

Outside of Addison Barger being picked off at third base in Tuesday’s series opener, then committing a throwing error in the eighth on Wednesday, the Jays have been solid in each phase against the Padres, who came into Toronto in the throes of a three-game losing streak but remain in the thick of the chase in the ultra-competitive AL West.

2. LUKES STEPPING UP

There’s so much to like about Nathan Lukes and yet there is no path to an every-day role for him in the Jays outfield.Lukes falls into that fringe category of reserve outfielders behind Santander, Varsho and George Springer, along with Myles Straw and Jonatan Clase But once he gets the chance, the 30-year-old Lukes has shown he can step up and contribute.

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With Santander as the DH, the left-handed hitting Lukes was back in left field and hitting ninth on Wednesday.

He got the Jays on the board, breaking a runless game with a two-run homer in the fifth inning.

It was his fourth homer of the season and highlighted a 3-for-4 night with two runs scored added to his two RBIs. It as also his fifth multi-hit game of the season..

3. BALK TALK

With video reviews becoming so much of today’s game, it’s surprising that no one has bothered to include the balk as video-worthy.

Witness the unusual set of circumstances surrounding a Gausman balk.

Known for ‘bouncing’ on the mound before launching his pitch, the veteran was taken aback when he was charged with a balk after Luis Arraez recorded a one-out double in the top of the first inning.

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Fearful his starter would get even more enraged with second-base umpire Adam Hamari, manager John Schneider quickly made his way to the mound.

Fast forward to the fourth, with Manny Machado on second base. Gausman was back to his pre-pitch bouncing ways, only no balk would be called.

In essence, Gausman’s routine is to bounce his front leg when moving into his set position.

Either way one cares to slice it, the balk was a bad call.

UP NEXT

It’s getaway day as the Jays wrap up their nine-game homestand with Bowden Francis scheduled to be on the mound for Thursday’s 1:07 p.m. first pitch. The right-hander has lost his past four decisions, including his most recent outing against visiting Detroit when he gave up two home runs.

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