The Toronto Blue Jays have been inconsistent early in the season, but the way the team beat up on the Baltimore Orioles 13-6 Tuesday was a promising sign.
Outfielder Kevin Pillar says a contributing factor to the win was a team meeting held earlier in the day.
“We had a players-only meeting yesterday and it wasn’t about anything specific. It was about little things. That’s something I haven’t really experienced before being up here [parts of the last two seasons],” Pillar told Jeff Blair on Baseball Central Wednesday on Sportsnet 590 The Fan.
Listen: Pillar talks Blue Jays chemistry, Orioles series
Pillar explained that the meeting was about certain “guys wanting to step up and talk about little things whether it’s music in the clubhouse or attire on the plane, just to bring the team together and talk about where we’re at as a team and really preach togetherness and I think yesterday was a perfect example.”
The Blue Jays and Orioles traded barbs on and off the field after an in-your-face home run and subsequent bat flip from Jose Bautista.
“[Russell Martin] was really adamant on the bench after [Bautista] hit that home run that everyone get out of the dugout, pick him up on that front step and pretty much send a message to the other side that if you mess with one of us, you’re going to get all 25.”
Pillar, who had two hits and two RBI in the game, added that the additions of Martin and Josh Donaldson improved what was already a solid leadership group.
“Those competitive vibes and competitive juices flow over to everyone on the team,” Pillar said.
Pillar impressed during spring training and has continued to do so in the regular season, especially on defence with plays like this from last night.
The Blue Jays continue their series against the Orioles Wednesday when Aaron Sanchez takes the mound against Ubaldo Jimenez at Rogers Centre. Fans can watch the game on Sportsnet ONE with coverage starting at 6:30 p.m. EST.
