Blue Jays’ awful first inning leads to Game 1 loss to O’s

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On a hot and stifling day in Baltimore, Yariel Rodriguez was unable to stop the bleeding, metaphorically speaking.

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On the same oppressive day at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, James McCann couldn’t stop the bleeding, either, literally speaking that is.

It was that kind of day as the visiting Blue Jays and host Orioles staged a double dip, which would include an in-game trade when veteran Justin Turner, who started Game 1 at first base, did not come out for the second inning when informed he had been traded to Seattle for a prospect.

When all was said and done, the Orioles jumped out to a 7-0 lead en route to an easy and rather routine and stress-free 11-5 win.

Rodriguez failed to get out of the first inning, issuing walks to the first three batters he faced.

When he faced No. 9 hitter McCann with the bases loaded and three runs already in, Rodriguez hit the catcher with a 95 m.p.h fastball right in McCann’s nose.

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Two trainers tended to McCann, who eventually was able to walk to first base as fans and his teammates in the dugout gave him a standing ovation.

There was no immediate word on whether McCann had broken his nose.

He retreated to the dugout to retrieve a clean jersey.

When he returned to the bag, he looked like someone who had just gone the distance against Mike Tyson in Iron Mike’s prime.

In the top half of the second inning, McCann continued his defensive duties, with both of his nostrils well-packed with gauze to prevent further bleeding.

By staying in the game, McCann prevented teammate Adley Rutschman from having to catch in both games of the hot doubleheader.

For the record, Rodriguez gave up four runs (three earned), one hit and four walks in a 43-pitch outing that also included a catcher’s inference call to Alejandro Kirk.

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Not exactly the way to begin a doubleheader.

When McCann stepped up to the plate in the third inning, he received a rousing ovation from the fans in attendance.

With one in the fifth inning, McCann hit a one-out bloop single into right field.

The swelling around McCann’s nose was noticeable as the game progressed.

McCann persevered by playing all nine innings.

BARGER BARRAGE

Blue Jays outfielder Addison Barger has shown plenty of encouraging signs of late, which bode well for someone who has been called up three times this season.

Barring something completely out of left field, Barger should be in the lineup more often than not moving forward this season, and perhaps into next season.

In Monday’s first game, Barger did not start, but he did enter the game when news of Turner’s trade made the rounds.

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Barger was inserted into left field when he entered the game and would finish the day by playing in right field.

It was to right field, specifically right-centre, where Barger deposited his first big-league home run, a big moment for the big-swinging left-handed hitter.

The souvenir ball would be secured, quite quickly it should be noted.

The blow was a three-run shot that came with one out in the fifth inning.

His milestone homer came off Zach Eflin, whom the Jays faced last week when he pitched for Tampa Bay at Rogers Centre.

Barger’s belt traveled a Statcast-estimated 426 feet.

In the top of the seventh, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his 20th long ball of the season to record his 150th career homer.

Vlad Jr. has gone deep seven times in his past 11 games.

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He also drove in a run on a two-out single in the ninth inning.

NOT YERRY GOOD

It wasn’t a good day for pitchers with the Rodriguez surname.

After Yariel was lifted, Brandon Eisert had a 52-pitch outing, allowing three runs on four hits in 2.2 innings.

Then came Yerry Rodriguez, who was making his debut with the Blue Jays.

It did not go well for the righty, especially when he gave up a moon shot to Anthony Santander, who became the first player with the Orioles this season to reach the 30-homer mark.

Santander crushed a hanging slider with two outs in the fifth inning as Baltimore reached double digits.

It reached the point where the Jays needed to preserve arms knowing a second game was on tap.

Trevor Richards, who hasn’t been good of late, did not give up a hit in two scoreless innings, but he did issue two walks.

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By Richards’ recent standards, the stat line was Cy Young Award worthy.

Erik Swanson was asked to pitch the eighth inning, emerging as the fourth reliever to be used.

He began with a three-pitch strikeout.

Then came a groundout.

Blue Jays killer Ryan Mountcastle took Swanson deep on a ball that just stayed fair inside the foul pole in right field.

It was Mountcastle’s 13th homer on the season, the same amount recorded by George Springer and Daulton Varsho, who are each tied for second in that category for the Blue Jays.

In other words, it illustrates how the Jays haven’t been able to hit homers, while the Orioles have been belt proficient.

Swanson loaded the bases before the inning’s final out was recorded on a fly ball to right field.

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