Trio Of Homers Gives Jays 5-2 Win

After hitting the fewest home runs in the Florida State League in the first two months of the 2018 season, the Dunedin Blue Jays bats have come alive. The Blue Jays hit more home runs in the month of June (17) than they did in April (10) and May (6) combined and are well on their way to setting a new monthly high in July, knocking three tonight in a 5-2 win over the Florida Fire Frogs to give them 15 homers just halfway through the month.
1B Kacy Clemens got the homer barrage started tonight, drilling a no doubt shot into the bullpen in right with C Riley Adams on second following a double to put Dunedin up 2-0 in the second inning. 
The lead held until the fifth inning when Florida's Isranel Wilson knocked a two-run shot of his own to tie the game at 2-2. 
Dunedin quickly responded in the sixth. SS Kevin Smith lofted a leadoff shot over the wall in left for his 10th home run in a Blue Jays uniform and 17th on the season. After LF Brock Lundquist walked, DH David Jacob lined a two-run shot over the wall in right to put Dunedin up 5-2.
The lead was all RHP Patrick Murphy needed, as the homer to Wilson would be the only runs he would allow. Over 7.0 innings, the hard-throwing righty allowed two runs on just four hits while striking out six to earn his seventh win of the season. The quality start continues a torrid stretch for Murphy. Since June 1st, he's gone 5-0 with a miniscule 1.46 ERA in nine starts, striking out 52 batters in 55.2 innings pitched.
With Murphy out of the game in the eighth, the Fire Frogs threatened against the Dunedin bullpen. WIth one out in the inning, three consecutive batters singled off RHP Andy Ravel to bring the go-ahead run to the plate with the middle of the order up. The Blue Jays turned to RHP Jackson McClelland who promptly struck out the next hitter and then induced a ground ball to end the inning and the threat.
McClelland earned his seventh save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning, continuing a brilliant stretch for the towering righty. Following a tough month of May (10.13 ERA following a DL stint), he's posted a 2.12 ERA in 15 appearances in June and July and is tied for the league lead (5) in saves over that period.
Tonight's win was the 12th for Dunedin in their last 13 games, improving their July record to 13-3 and their second half record to 18-7, best in the Florida State League. The Jays and Fire Frogs will continue their three-game set at Dunedin Stadium tomorrow morning at 11:00 AM. LHP Zach Logue (5-2, 3.46 ERA) will take the hill for the Blue Jays against Florida's LHP Tucker Davidson (6-6, 3.92 ERA).