Francis hits a gem, Wagner has 3 hits in his MLB debut and the Blue Jays beat the Angels 4-2

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Bowden Francis pitched seven dominant innings and Will Wagner had hits in the first three at-bats of his major league debut as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Los Angeles Angels 4-2 on Monday night.

Leo Jimenez hit his first career homer and the last-place Blue Jays won the opener of a six-game road trip after losing four of their previous five on the road.

Mickey Moniak and Jo Adell homered for the Angels, who lost for the third time in four games after winning the series on the road against the New York Yankees.

Wagner, son of former All-Star closer Billy Wagner, hit the first pitch he saw to right-center field for a double in the second inning.

“I was nervous in the on-deck circle, but once I was walking up to the plate, I started to gain a little more confidence,” Wagner said. “I just went up there and knew I was there for a reason and I was just trying to be aggressive.”

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Spencer Horwitz hit back-to-back doubles in the third inning to open the scoring. Wagner singled with two outs for his first RBI and a 2-0 lead.

Jimenez followed with a two-run homer to center field, his first homer in 30 games since making his major league debut on July 4.

In his third at-bat, Wagner singled to right field in the fifth inning. All three of his career hits came off right-hander Davis Daniel (1-4), who allowed four runs and eight hits in five innings with two walks and five strikeouts.

“Growing up in major league locker rooms, I know what to expect,” Wagner said. “It was a stressful day, for sure, but once you get through that first at-bat, it’s all good.”

Wagner became just the fourth player in Blue Jays history to get three hits in his major league debut. He eventually recorded his first out on a fly ball to center in the seventh.

“It’s great when you make your debut like that. It gives guys energy,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “Leo hitting his first home run, really good defense and some impressive pitching. I think we’ll all remember Will tonight, but we can’t overlook what Bowden did.”

The only hit Francis (5-3) allowed was Moniak’s solo homer in the third. He was otherwise untouchable, with no walks and a career-high eight strikeouts. The right-hander retired his first seven batters and then his final 14.

“I think efficiency was the biggest thing for me,” Francis said. “I feel like I haven’t been scared. Obviously, home runs happen, but that’s just my offense and I’m not shy. I just try to stay in the zone as much as I can.”

Chad Green allowed a home run to Adell in the ninth before earning his 12th save.

Billy Wagner was on the whirlwind adventure that first took him to Triple-A Buffalo over the weekend to watch his son play. After flying home to Virginia on Sunday, he learned of his son’s promotion and boarded a plane bound for California.

The only setback Will Wagner had that day was forgetting to leave tickets for his fiancée and his father.

“My dad texted me and said, ‘Hey, we can’t get in yet,’” Will Wagner said. “I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I have to get tickets.’ But we already had it all figured out.”

The Blue Jays acquired the younger Wagner in the July 29 trade that sent left-hander Yusei Kikuchi to the Houston Astros, where his father spent nine seasons.

“When I was in Houston, in major league spring training, we had (Alex) Bregman, (Jeremy) Pena and (Jose) Altuve and I was talking to them every day,” Will Wagner said before the game. “And I was thinking, ‘These guys are going to be Hall of Famers.’ Now I’m here and I have (Guerrero) and Bo (Bichette) to talk to as well. And there’s a mix of guys that are younger that I can fit in with as well. So I’m excited.”

TRAINERS ROOM

Blue Jays: Bichette returned to Florida to continue his rehab from a right calf strain and could begin baseball activity next week. … RHP Jordan Romano (elbow) also returned to Florida and is close to beginning a light throwing program.

Angels: C Logan O’Hoppe exited after six innings with right knee soreness and was replaced by Matt Thaiss. O’Hoppe left shortly after he threw out Steward Berroa, who was trying to steal second base in the top of the sixth.

NEXT

Blue Jays: Right-hander Kevin Gausman (10-8, 4.42 ERA) has reached double-digit wins in four consecutive seasons and six times overall.

Angels: Right-hander Carson Fulmer (0-2, 3.74) has made five starts this season, posting a 3.60 ERA in those outings.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb