Semien HR, Blue Jays sweep Braves 7-2; Springer exits early

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — Marcus Semien homered and drove in four runs as Toronto finished off a three-game sweep of the Atlanta Braves with a 7-2 win Sunday after Blue Jays newcomer George Springer exited early.

There was no immediate announcement on why Joe Panik pinch-hit for Springer in the sixth inning.

Springer was the designated hitter for the fourth consecutive game since making his Toronto debut Wednesday. The World Series MVP when Houston won its first title in 2017 signed a team-record $150 million, six-year deal with the Blue Jays this offseason but missed time because of a strained oblique and later because of a right quadriceps strain.

Semien hit a two-run homer during a three-run eighth to help Toronto win for the seventh time in nine games.

Braves starter Ian Anderson (2-1) lasted just four innings, allowing four runs and six hits during an 89-pitch outing.

Anderson was coming off wins against the New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs in which he allowed five hits in 13 2/3 scoreless innings. The right-hander limited the Cubs to one hit over seven innings on April 27.

Danny Jansen, hitless in his previous 35 at-bats, had an RBI single in the second and Semien's two-run double in the third put Toronto up 3-1.

Jansen also singled in the fourth and scored to make it 4-1 on Bo Bichette’s double.

Ronald Acuña Jr. got Atlanta with 4-2 in the fifth on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to the center-field warning track off Ross Stripling.

Ryan Borucki (3-1) replaced Stripling and prevented further damage by striking out Freddie Freeman and Marcell Ozuna.

Stripling, coming back from a right forearm flexor strain, gave up two runs and five hits over 4 1/3 innings.

Rafael Dolis entered with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth and struck out Acuña to get his third...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Semien-HR-Blue-Jays-sweep-Braves-7-2-Springer-16145965.php