Blue Jays bring 1-0 series lead over Marlins
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Shane Bieber struck out nine over six innings of one-run ball in his Toronto debut and return from a 16-month absence as the Blue Jays beat the Miami Marlins 5-2.
Bieber struck out the side in the fourth inning, baffling hitters with late-breaking sliders and well-located fastballs. His final line: 6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K on 84 pitches. The only damage came off the bat of Javier Sanoja, who clubbed a solo home run in the second inning to left-center field.
Shane Bieber was always the acquisition that would define the Toronto Blue Jays’ trade deadline. The Jays patched holes with three other moves ahead of July 31, acquiring relievers, catching depth and a right-handed bat. But Bieber was the big swing — an admitted gamble on a ceiling-raising talent.