Gausman deals, Turner delivers as Jays blow out Rays for series split

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — There were days during the winter when the acquisition of Justin Turner felt like the Blue Jays version of a consolation prize in the absence of bigger-name impact acquisitions.

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The 2023 version of the team screamed its need for offence and as the lazy off-season unfolded, the best they could do was add a 39-year-old veteran with a knack throughout his career of driving in runs at key spots.

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On Sunday afternoon at Tropicana Field, Turner not only showed there is still some pop in his bat, but that he can be that difference maker that has defined his career.

With Kevin Gausman weaving his starting magic on the mound, Turner took control of an offence he’ll be expected to lead on many days, driving in four runs in a 9-2 Jays trouncing of the Rays.

The win, which co-featured Gausman allowing just two hits and one run allowed in his 4-1 innings of season debut work, allowed the Jays to exit here with a split of the four-game season-opening series.

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And it was Turner taking control of the run production with a three-at-bat sequence that could have doubled as a highlight reel for what he has done so well in his career.

First at-bat, first inning: Line drive single to left field driving in George Springer.

Second at-bat, second inning: Line drive double to left field driving in Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Springer.

Third at-bat, fifth inning: A 400-foot home run to left centre, his first round tripper with his new team, to give the Jays a 5-1 lead.

Fourth at-bat, seventh inning: Draws a leadoff walk that eventually results in a run scored.

It was a prodigious afternoon for Turner, who has been a strong clubhouse influence since his arrival at spring training in mid-February, a status that will continue to escalate the more he produces.

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As brilliant as Turner was, he had to share centre stage with Gausman, who showed little ill effects of his abbreviated spring training which consisted of just one start in the final week of spring training.

With his splitter at its nasty best, the only blemish on Gausman’s day was a first-inning solo homer to Rays slugger Randy Arozarena. He threw 69 pitches before manager John Schneider went to the bullpen with his ace starter two outs shy of qualifying for the win.

The Jays will carefully monitor Gausman’s progress moving forward, protecting their ace. The idea is to get 32 or more starts from the right hander, making sure he bounces back strong from each start.

But if Sunday was a sneak preview of what’s ahead, the Jays got a tantalizing glimpse of the best of Gausman and a compelling case of the type of influence Turner can bring.

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GAME ON

Though run production went lagging in the middle two games of the series, another explosive afternoon at the plate had to be encouraging, especially given how the first four runs unfolded. The Jays scored a pair in the first, which was a rarity last season. And in the second, the rally began with two out … Turner, making his first start at third as a Jay, recorded an error in the seventh when he threw well wide of Vlad Guerrero Jr. at first … Also joining in on the home run fun was Davis Schneider, whose two-run shot in the fifth was his first of the season.

AROUND THE BASES

The usually durable Bo Bichette was scratched an hour before the first pitch with what the team reported as neck stiffness … In his absence, Ernie Clement started at shortstop while Isiah Kiner-Falefa was at second and the outfield was an all-new configuration with Davis Schneider in left, Daulton Varsho in centre and Cavan Biggio in third … It was an all-new outfield configuration as well with Davis Schneider in left, Daulton Varsho in centre and Cavan Biggio in right as Springer had a DH day..

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