Thursday, May 16

Biggio finds confidence in game-winning homer

TORONTO — In Cavan Biggio’s present position with the Blue Jays, the one fixed is change. And navigating by means of that requires a ability set of its personal.

The primary aim is to remain ready for when the chance arises, which is simply what Biggio achieved in Monday night time’s 5-2 win at Rogers Centre.

His fourth-inning three-run blast was the catalyst within the Blue Jays’ win over the White Sox. Biggio’s second of the 12 months, it was the kind of shot that may flip tides and construct confidence — for himself and the underside half of Toronto’s lineup.

“When you look at my role, I’m [constantly] in and out of the lineup,” Biggio mentioned. “And I’m obviously not where I want to be with my swing. But I’m working in the cage, working on my swing, and I have to learn to separate the two. So when I get to the batter’s box, I can see the ball well and compete.”

It’s been a gradual begin to the season for Biggio, who has a .491 OPS over 14 video games as a backup outfielder and second baseman. As Toronto’s star-packed lineup continues to place up robust numbers, Biggio has needed to regulate each mentally and bodily to the shortage of constant at-bats.

The outcomes might not be there proper out of the gate, however his effort isn’t misplaced on his supervisor.

“I know playing time is kind of here and there with him and a couple of other guys,” supervisor John Schneider mentioned on Friday. “I talked to Cavan in Houston and I said, ‘Dude, I’m never going to give up on you. No one is.’ For him, it’s just about getting some hits to fall and trusting the right pitch.”

Biggio discovered the appropriate pitch within the fourth inning.

White Sox starter Lance Lynn threw three consecutive fastballs, two of which Biggio fouled off. After a changeup within the grime for ball one, Lynn hung a curveball that Biggio barreled to proper subject for a three-run knock that put the Blue Jays forward 4-2.

“He’s working the right way,” Schneider mentioned after Monday’s sport. “He hasn’t gotten off to the beginning that he needed. But, you understand, I instructed him and I instructed everybody, ‘I’m never going to stop believing in you guys.’

“He got a pitch he could handle, took advantage of it. You love seeing that. It was a little bit of a jolt for the dugout, and obviously great for Cavan.”

It was Alejandro Kirk’s persistence that acquired issues began, although.

The Blue Jays trailed 2-0 with two outs within the body when their catcher, who has a knack for getting on base even in stretches when his energy eludes him, labored up a six-pitch stroll to deliver up Brandon Belt, who smoked a single on Lynn’s first providing.

Kirk then scored from second on a Whit Merrifield RBI double that drew the curtain for Biggio’s shining second.

“He’s probably the best bat-to-ball player I’ve ever played with,” Biggio mentioned of Kirk. “He is very special with the way he controls the zone.”

The headlines across the Blue Jays have understandably been dominated by large names of late. But Monday night time’s win as soon as once more highlighted what number of totally different instruments this staff can escape in any sport.

“It just goes to show how deep we are,” Biggio mentioned. “From top to bottom, we’re very diversified. … I feel like the way our lineup is constructed on any given night anybody can help the team win. Tonight was a big [night] for the bottom of the lineup, but it just goes to show how talented we are and how well we play together.”

As for the help he’s gotten from Schneider?

“Any time your manager has your back like that, it gives you a boost of confidence,” mentioned Biggio. “It takes a little bit of the pressure off yourself.”

That four-run fourth inning gave starter Chris Bassitt all of the help he wanted for a win in his fourth consecutive high quality begin, through which he pitched 6 1/3 innings of two-run ball with 4 strikeouts earlier than exiting with what the staff referred to as proper decrease again tightness.

The Blue Jays breathed a sigh of aid after the sport, although, as Bassitt mentioned he doesn’t anticipate to overlook any time because of the concern.

Content Source: www.mlb.com