Ray shines as Blue Jays bats come alive in rout of Braves

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Having watched his offence produce 13 runs and generate 14 hits, including six homers, Robbie Ray was asked how he would attack the Blue Jays’ hitters.

“I don’t do scouting reports on our own guys,’’ said Ray. “I don’t know.”

What is known, even if it is based on a one-game sample size, is this lineup has the potential to batter opposing pitchers into submission.

From the moment George Springer stepped to the plate as the Jays’ leadoff hitter Friday at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Fla., one had a sense this night would be Toronto’s to win.

The Jays would win, but it was how they manufactured their 13-5 beatdown of the Atlanta Braves that stood out.

Springer got on base with his first hit and the Jays never looked back. Bo Bichette, with a two-run bomb, would get the Jays out in front.

Alejandro Kirk, from the No. 9 hole, would belt two home runs.

Randal Grichuk got into the homer act as did Teoscar Hernandez in his return to the lineup.

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Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had a three-hit night, which included a long ball.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. didn’t go deep, but he did draw three walks and one hit.

This was as good and balanced a lineup the Jays have featured all season and it figures to only get better.

“Honestly, I feel I like I would attack them like I normally do, but that’s a tough lineup,’’ added Ray.

The way Ray was rolling Friday night, he would have had a better chance of neutralizing the Jays’ booming bats.

The Braves had no answer and weren’t that competitive against the Jays.

Toronto’s defence was also good, but it was its bats that was better than good to the point of reaching elite status.

Ray earned his 50th-career win.

His fastball velocity would touch 98 mph.

It was Ray’s command that struck a chord with the hard-throwing left-hander.

He didn’t yield a single walk.

“I was able to pound the zone, get ahead of guys,’’ said Ray. “Working both sides of the plate, up, down, in and out.”

Ray said he found something playing catch that caused an uptick in his velocity.

Offensively, the Jays may have found a batting lineup that should serve them well.

When you have Springer setting the table, followed by Bichette, Vlad Jr. and Hernandez, there isn’t much breathing room for an opposing hitter.

If Gurriel Jr. can keep locked in and Grichuk continues to wield a hot stick, the Jays will be able to score.

No one is about to suggest double digit hitting and scoring nights will be common, but there aren’t many easy outs.

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Braves starter Drew Smyly had no answer. He fell behind Kirk 3-0, but manager Charlie Montoyo gave his young catcher the green light and the kid rewarded his skipper’s faith by launching a deep ball.

TD Ballpark is pretty homer friendly, but virtually every single blast would have cleared any dimension or environment.

Friday night marked the first time the Jays switched their start time to 7:37 p.m. from their customary 7:07 p.m. start time to avoid the sun’s glare.

The way the Jays were swinging at the plate, it didn’t matter where the game was played or what time it began.

Vlad Jr. recorded his 20th RBI of the season, while Springer reached base in each of his first three at-bats.

Through five innings, the Braves had more errors (2) than hits (1).

Ray had retired 13 in a row until Ronald Acuna Jr. snapped the string in the seventh with a single to left.

He did get Freddie Freeman to hit into a double play, but Ray then saw Marcell Ozuna hit a double with two strikes to the right-centre alley.

Ozzie Albies then turned on a 97 mph pitch that caught too much of the plate for a two-run homer.

Ray left with two outs and was replaced by Ryan Borucki.

Joel Payamps and Jordan Romano would also be used.

DFA FOR ROARK

To clear space for Hernandez on the 40-man roster, the Blue Jays designated RHP Tanner Roark for assignment.

The veteran hasn’t pitched since April 18 and recently was added to the family medical emergency list.

Toronto signed Roark last year to a two-year $24 million US deal hoping Roark would eat up innings and provide stability.

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To say the least, it hasn’t panned out for Roark, who opened the 2021 season in the starting rotation.

He would quickly move to the bullpen after Roark allowed five runs and three homers over three innings in his season debut.

Roark made two appearances out of the pen.

In his first season with the Blue Jays, Roark’s outings often featured too many home runs and walks in posting a 6.80 ERA over 47.2 innings.

QUICK PITCHES

Jonathan Davis was optioned to the Jays’ alternate training site, a move that seemed inevitable given the amount of healthy bodies in the outfield. The 29-year-old speedster cracked the opening day roster … When Springer went 0-for-4 in his debut, it marked the first time in his career that he failed to reach base in the first game of a season. He missed the Jays’ first 22 games with a left oblique strain and a quad injury … Hernandez hit .207 in his first seven games of the season. The reigning Silver Slugger hit cleanup in his return game versus the Braves. He was in right field … Toronto will go with a bullpen game Saturday night with no definitive plans for Sunday’s series finale, though there is talk of Ross Stripling getting the call.

fzicarelli@postmedia.com