Field Level Media
07 Aug 2020, 07:49 GMT+10
Nick Markakis delivered a walk-off homer with one out in the ninth inning to give the Atlanta Braves a 4-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday.
Markakis reached low to connect with a breaking ball from Wilmer Font (0-1) and smoked it deep into the right field seats. It was the first start of the season for the veteran right fielder, who was activated on Wednesday after recanting his original decision to opt out because of COVID-19 concerns.
The victory gave the Braves a 2-1 series win over Toronto and completed a 7-2 homestand for Atlanta.
The winning pitcher was Mark Melancon (1-0), who worked a perfect ninth inning.
Neither starter figured in the decision, although both pitched well.
Atlanta starter Touki Toussaint was lifted after 6 2/3 innings. He allowed three runs on four hits with a career-high nine strikeouts. Toussaint threw a season-high 83 pitches and kept the Toronto batters at bay with an effective breaking ball.
Toronto starter Nate Pearson worked five innings in his second career start and allowed three runs on two hits and three walks while striking out five.
In an unusual turn of events, Toronto manager Charlie Montoya tried to insert reliever Jacob Waguespack into the game to start the sixth. But the Blue Jays had assigned Waguespack to their alternate training site when the rosters were reduced earlier in the day, forcing them to bring in Rafael Dolis, who had not been warming up.
The Braves jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a two-run homer by Freddie Freeman to right center, his second. It marked the first career runs allowed by Pearson.
The Blue Jays got one run back in the fourth when Bo Bichette lined his first homer of the season, a solo shot off Toussaint to left center.
Atlanta answered with a run in the bottom of the fourth when Marcell Ozuna scored on Adam Duvall's sacrifice fly.
Toronto tied the game 3-3 in the seventh inning. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. singled, and Rowdy Tellez doubled to open the inning. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. pushed home the first run with a fielder's choice, and pinch hitter Teoscar Hernandez drove in the other with a sharp single to center field off reliever Tyler Matzek.
--Field Level MediaGet a daily dose of San Jose Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to San Jose Sun.
More Information(Photo credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images) Janson Junk held the Cincinnati Reds to one hit over six innings and Agustin Ramirez...
(Photo credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images) San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado led off the fourth inning of Monday night's...
(Photo credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images) Brayan Rocchio lined a go-ahead, two-run double into the left-field corner with two outs...
(Photo credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images) Bobby Witt. Jr. clubbed a two-run homer and had three RBIs, as Kansas City went deep four...
(Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images) The Detroit Tigers continue to roll toward the All-Star break. The American League...
(Photo credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images) Roman Anthony hit his first career home run at Fenway Park en route to his sixth multi-hit...
HONG KONG: China has fired back at the European Union in an escalating trade dispute by imposing new restrictions on medical device...
NEW YORK, New York - Monday's trading session saw mixed performances across U.S. and global markets, with several major indices posting...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The U.S. government has granted GE Aerospace permission to resume jet engine shipments to China's COMAC, a person...
DUBAI, U.A.E.: Saudi Aramco is exploring asset sales as part of a broader push to unlock capital, with gas-fired power plants among...
MILAN, Italy: Italian regulators have flagged four non-EU countries—including Russia—as carrying systemic financial risk for domestic...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: With just weeks to spare before a potential government default, U.S. lawmakers passed a sweeping tax and spending...