Dylan Cease’s 10 strikeouts in seven innings sparks Jays to their win

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The full Dylan Cease experience was unleashed Friday as the beleaguered Blue Jays needed something, anything for that matter, to hang their hats on.

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The right-hander was simply scintillating, providing seven shutout innings of five-hit ball as the Jays got past the visiting Los Angeles Angels 2-0, ending a four-game losing streak.

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Cease’s eighth start of the season was his finest, though it was produced against an inferior Angels team. He was overpowering at times, in racking up 10 strikeouts while scattering just five hits and not walking a batter.

One suspects much more can — and will — be extracted as Cease’s lengthy commitment to Toronto promises to get better.

As dominant as Cease was, the Angels remained in the game because the Jays’ bats struggled, which isn’t new, managing just three singles of their own. Two of them came in the third inning when the Jays scored the night’s only runs.

The following are a few takeaways from a night the Jays rode the arm of their prized free-agent signing before another packed house at the Rogers Centre, but couldn’t fully take advantage of some wildness by Angels starter Reid Detmers, who walked six Jays in his 3.2-inning outing:

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MAY THE FORCE BE WITH HIM

Once the calendar flipped to May, Kazuma Okamoto has been posting numbers worthy of an all-star.

Perhaps one day the Japanese star will be part of baseball’s mid-summer classic, perhaps as soon as a few months from now if he continues to rake at his current pace.

May, and yes it’s only one week into the month, has seen Okamoto flourish at the plate while occasionally flashing the leather at third base and displaying a strong arm as well.

In his second at-bat, Okamoto extended his hitting streak to seven games, driving in George Springer who led off with a single. It was Okamoto’s ninth RBI run in May and increased his club-leading total to 24 on the season. Of his team-high 10 homers, five have come in May.

His recent hot streak will end at some point, but for now every at-bat is a must-see.

Defensively, he came in on a chopper in the fifth inning, secured it and unleashed a rocket to first base to end the frame.

GRASPING AT STRAW(s)

At first glance it did appear odd when glancing at the Jays’ starting lineup to see Myles Straw in the No. 2 hole, a place in the order that has been fluid all season.

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But Straw’s insertion was warranted — a right-handed bat against a left-hander, who has speed but, more importantly, and has been able to put balls in play. He entered the night boasting the highest OPS in the Jays’ lineup while his 88.7% contact rate ranked third among all AL batter with a minimum of 50 plate appearances.

Also keep in mind that Straw has gone deep twice this season, two shy of his career high.

He wound up going 0-for-3 against the Halos, dropping his average back under .300 at .295.

DOTTING THE EYES

While many clamor for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., to hit balls that leave the ballpark — he had just two entering Friday — just as many lose sight of his elite eye at the plate.

When a first-inning strike was called by home plate umpire Mike Estabrook, Vladdy asked for a review, which clearly showed the pitch outside and sending Guerrero to first with a walk.

In the third inning, he walked a second time, in the more conventional way, and would score the Jay’s second run on Clement’s sacrifice fly.

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Vladdy went 0-2 for the night, lowering his average to .314, which is still among the leaders in the AL. But as the Jays struggle to produce runs, it’s not unfair to suggest he needs to be more of a presence at the plate.

MANOAH’S BOO-TIFUL RETURN

The night took an interesting turn when former Jays starter Alek Manoah, came out of the Angels bullpen to start the eighth inning.

The one-time ace of the Toronto rotation was greeted by boos from a crowd that had absolutely no reason to treat the big righty with such disrespect.

Perhaps unnerved by the surprisingly hostile reception, Manoah committed a time-count violation before his first pitch to Daulton Varsho, before getting him to pop out to short.

Bronx cheers followed an 0-2 wild pitch to the next batter, Ernie Clement, who eventually struck out looking, and there were more boos to come when he nearly hit Jesus Sanchez before inducing a pop out to conclude a clean, but somewhat eventful appearance.

UP NEXT

It’s a Trey Day on Saturday as Trey Yesavage is scheduled to make his third start of the season and second at home. The talented right-hander is 1-1 with an 0.96 ERA. Angels will counter with RHP Jack Kochanowicz (2-1, 3.05 ERA).

fzicarelli@postmedia.com

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