Biggio finds confidence in game-winning homer
TORONTO -- In Cavan Biggio’s current role with the Blue Jays, the only constant is change. And navigating through that requires a skill set of its own.
The main goal is to stay prepared for when the opportunity arises, which is just what Biggio accomplished in Monday night's 5-2 win at Rogers Centre.
His fourth-inning three-run blast was the catalyst in the Blue Jays’ win over the White Sox. Biggio’s second of the year, it was the type of shot that can turn tides and build confidence -- for himself and the bottom half of Toronto’s lineup.
“When you look at my role, I’m [constantly] in and out of the lineup,” Biggio said. “And I’m obviously not where I want to be with my swing. But I’m working in the cage, working on my swing, and I have to learn to separate the two. So when I get to the batter’s box, I can see the ball well and compete.”
It’s been a slow start to the season for Biggio, who has a .491 OPS over 14 games as a backup outfielder and second baseman. As Toronto’s star-packed lineup continues to put up strong numbers, Biggio has had to adjust both mentally and physically to the lack of consistent at-bats.
The results may not be there right out of the gate, but his effort isn’t lost on his manager.
“I know playing time is kind of here and there with him and a couple of other guys,” manager John Schneider said on Friday. “I talked to Cavan in Houston and I said, ‘Dude, I’m never going to give up on you. No one is.’ For him, it’s just about getting some hits to fall and trusting the right pitch.”
Biggio found the right pitch in the fourth inning.
White Sox starter Lance Lynn threw three consecutive fastballs, two of which Biggio fouled off. After a changeup in the dirt for ball one, Lynn hung a curveball that Biggio barreled to right field for a three-run knock that put the Blue Jays ahead 4-2.
“He’s working the right way,” Schneider said after Monday’s game. “He hasn’t gotten off to the start that he wanted. But, you know, I told him and I told everyone, ‘I'm never going to stop believing in you guys.’
“He got a pitch he could handle, took advantage of it. You love seeing that. It was a little bit of a jolt for the dugout, and obviously great for Cavan.”
It was Alejandro Kirk’s patience that got things started, though.
The Blue Jays trailed 2-0 with two outs in the frame when their catcher, who has a knack for getting on base even in stretches when his power eludes him, worked up a six-pitch walk to bring up Brandon Belt, who smoked a single on Lynn’s first offering.
Kirk then scored from second on a Whit Merrifield RBI double that drew the curtain for Biggio’s shining moment.
“He's probably the best bat-to-ball player I've ever played with,” Biggio said of Kirk. “He is very special with the way he controls the zone.”
The headlines around the Blue Jays have understandably been dominated by big names of late. But Monday night’s win once again highlighted how many different tools this team can break out in any game.
“It just goes to show how deep we are,” Biggio said. “From top to bottom, we’re very diversified. … I feel like the way our lineup is constructed on any given night anybody can help the team win. Tonight was a big [night] for the bottom of the lineup, but it just goes to show how talented we are and how well we play together.”
As for the support he’s gotten from Schneider?
“Any time your manager has your back like that, it gives you a boost of confidence,” said Biggio. “It takes a little bit of the pressure off yourself.”
That four-run fourth inning gave starter Chris Bassitt all the support he needed for a win in his fourth consecutive quality start, in which he pitched 6 1/3 innings of two-run ball with four strikeouts before exiting with what the team called right lower back tightness.
The Blue Jays breathed a sigh of relief after the game, though, as Bassitt said he doesn’t expect to miss any time due to the issue.