Bichette double achieves Blue Jays victory

PITTSBURGH – Bo Pechet scored a hat-trick to hit the tiebreak in the seventh inning and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-1 on Saturday.

The Blue Jays won for the fourth time in five matches and retained their lead in the battle for the third and final place in the Wild Card Center. Toronto moved through six games of the Yankees, leaders of the Eastern Division of Young Circuit.

George Springer and Beechette got two hits for the Blue Jays, who could have swept the three-game series on Sunday.

With a 1-1 tie, the Blue Jays carried the bases off Duane Underwood Jr. (1-4) in the seventh on one of Springer and walks by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Matt Chapman. Bichette doubled with two outs to the left field.

Underwood had 37 throws in the ring before leaving after Beechette’s injury.

For the Blue Jays, Dominican Vladimir Guerrero Jr. scored 4-0, Tuscar Hernandez 4-1, Santiago Espinal 3-0 and Rimmel Tapia 4-0 with the RBI. Cuban Lourdes Gouriel Jr 4-1.

For the Buccaneers, Dominican O’Neill Cruz 4-2 with two shrimp Rodolfo Castro 4-1.