MINNEAPOLIS — There was no bat flip and no exaggerated celebration when Randal Grichuk hit a solo home run in the first inning here Thursday afternoon, just a brisk trot around the bases and an understated dugout celebration.
Take that as his latest statement in a buzzing social media feud with White Sox slugger Tim Anderson. And he had plenty of company from his teammates.
Grichuk’s fourth homer of the season got the Jays off to a quick start in an eventual 7-4 win to take three of four from the Twins and record their first series win of the season
Justin Smoak launched a 410-foot rocket for a two-run shot to kick off a five-run fourth inning that was capped with a bases-loaded double from leadoff hitter Eric Sogard to score two more.
As is his way, Smoak didn’t celebrate either, despite an exit velocity of 106.2 miles per hour on a hit that landed in a distant concourse at Target Field. Same deal for Teoscar Hernandez, who also had a receiving line of subtle handshakes when he returned to the dugout following a solo homer in the eighth.
But back to Grichuk, who had as much boom in his social media swing on Wednesday as he did at the plate the following afternoon. It began with a tweet not long after Anderson hit a home run against the Royals, complete with a dramatic bat flip.
“Guys are getting a little excessive on pimping HRs, on meaningless HRs too,” Grichuk wrote on his official Twitter account. “Act like you have done it before, one time.”
Later in the night, Anderson responded on his own Twitter feed: “Put a name on so we can see who you talking bout bra,” Anderson tweeted, complete with a crying face emoji.
Grichuk wanted the last word, however, responding to Anderson with this: “Guy, are you really responding to my tweet… SMH. It wasn’t intended for anyone specific but clearly you responding shows you’re guilty of something.”
As if to underscore the point — and no doubt to have a little fun with the situation — when Grichuk returned to the dugout following his first-inning homer, he shook hands politely with Marcus Stroman at the top of the steps and did the same with the rest of his teammates.
GAME ON
Jays starter Clay Buchholz didn’t last long enough to earn the win but he kept the Twins in check enough to protect the lead.
In his second start since being activated, Buchholz went 4.2 innings, allowing six hits and three earned runs.
• All of the Twins damage came in the second inning, the big blast being an Eddie Rosario home run. Rosario added a solo shot in the eighth inning off of reliever Tim Mayza, his seventh long ball of the season.
• The three-homer afternoon was the second time the Jays had reached that total this season.
• Closer Ken Giles pitched the ninth to earn his seventh save of the season.
LEADING MAN
In his three games in the lineup since being promoted from Buffalo, infielder Eric Sogard has been a solid fit at the top of manager Charlie Montoyo’s lineup.
In his Blue Jays depute on Tuesday, Sogard went 3-for-5 and followed that up with a 2-for-4 effort that included three RBIs.
“He’s definitely had some success in the past in the majors and down in Buffalo so far,” Jays assistant GM Joe Sheehan said. “It’s nice to see. Some of his at-bats have been really good to ignite from the leadoff spot.”
AROUND THE BASES
The Jays added to their bullpen depth on Thursday with the activation of righthander Ryan Tepera, who was out with elbow inflammation since March 25.
To make room on the roster, the team designated fellow reliever Javy Guerra for assignment.
Tepera got into game action as well, throwing a clean sixth inning with his team leading 6-3.
• Following Thursday’s getaway day matinee, the Jays were to fly to California where they begin a three-game weekend series vs. the A’s on Friday. They won’t face former teammate Marco Estrada, however. The right-handed starter was placed on the injured list due to back ailments.
The Jays will get a chance to catch up with former DH Kendrys Morales, who was dealt to Oakland on the eve of the season opener. Morales has nine hits in 45 at bats with one home run for the Athletics.
• The Jays have won four of there last six overall and now have an all-time record of 23-12 at Target Field.
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