Game #110 - St. Louis Cardianals (54-56) @ Toronto Blue Jays (51-59) - game recap

 

Luis Urias knocked in a pair of runs in a 3-1 comeback win over the Cardinals

After an off-day yesterday, the Blue Jays opened a brief weekend home stand against the Cardinals as they began a stretch of 17 straight days of games (due to making up JAune 21st's rainout in Chicago next Thursday). The Blue Jays swept the season series last year, outscoring the Cardinals 20-15. Brayden Fisher was reinstated from the Bereavement leave list and Adam Mackowas optioned to AAA-ball. Jesus Sanchez was reinstated from the 10-day IL (and got the start in LF) and Yohendrick Pinago was optioned to AAA-ball. No trades yet. Dylan Cease got the start with Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate. Vlad was back in the lineup at 1B after missing Wednesday's game with right hamstring tightness. Kazuma Okamoto was back at the hot corner and Ernie Clement got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 2 games and start the August long weekend with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Cardinals opened the scoring in the top of the 5th as Jordan Walker singled Nathan Church
• The Blue Jays tied it in the bottom half of the inning as Kazuma Okamoto doubled scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• Dylan Cease pitching line: 6IP 3H 1R (earned) 3BB 7K 96 pitches (57 for strikes)
• Kyle Leahy pitching linec" 6IP 6H 1R (earned) 1BB 3K 98 pitches (61 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the 8th as Luis Urias singled scoring George Springer and Daulton Varsho
• Louis Varland threw a scoreless 9th for his 24th save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 3 Cardinals 1

My Take:

• Dylan Cease followed up his complete game 1-hitter with a solid start where he gave up a run on 3 hits while walking 3 and striking out 7. While he dealt with base runners in most innings, he was able to pitch his way out of jams. The torque he gets in his windup really helpsas minimize the batters opportunity to figure out what type of pitch is coming their way.
• The bullpen threw 3 scoreless innings, giving up a pair of hits while walking none and strikng out 4. Jeff Hoffman, who could be on the move at the trade deadline Monday, retired every batter he fsced. Hoffman would likely welcomr s change of scenery. Hoffman was credited with the win.
• Offensively, Kazuma Okamoto and Luis Urias, who came off the bench to pinch hit for Davis Schneider, came up with clutch hits to lead the Blue Jays to victory.
• Brandon Valenzuela was unsuccessful on the only ABS challenge of the day.
• The Blue Jays were 2-10 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 3 games and notch their 14th series win and 15th series win of the season. Kevin Gausman is scheduled to start against Cardinals lefty Quinn Mathews but that could change if he is traded or a deal is close around game time.

Game #110 - St. Louis Cardinals (54-55) @ Toronto Blue Jays (50-59)

 

Drugs are bad...Mmmm'Kay?

The Jays are back home for a mini three game set versus St. Louis.

When they return from the upcoming seven game road trip they might look like a very different team.

They have a good shot at making it a two game winning streak with Dylan on the bump...unless the offence does the usual.

So sit back and enjoy perhaps the last glimpse of some of your favourite Jays.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Special JiTH Apathy Section!!!

Here is today's stress reducing selection from HiTH...

As always HiTH is brought to you by DabsCo a division of EndMeNow Ltd.

Carol's a very busy gal......

Game # 109 - Toronto Blue Jays (49-59) @ Washington Nationals (55-53)

 

Who can take a sunrise, sprinkle it with....ewww? Me....I stunk out the joint in 1990

These Nats are made for walkin' and that's just what they'll do...

Woof...that first inning was ugggllleee...

I guess it's a good thing that Bieber isn't an archery instructor on the side.

The offense did their best to climb out of the hole but by that point the horse had left the barn and was halfway to the Ozarks.

Hopefully our own Wyld Stallyn can harness his inner...horse...thing.

Day baseball on a Wednesday! Giddyup!!

When Bieber Decided To Be A Fulltime Pitcher...

Maybe he should give archery another crack...

--------------------------------------------------------------

Special JiTH Apathy Section!!

The trade deadline is almost here but until then HiTH has you covered.

Yes...salt free, soothing HiTH...

HiTH...brought to you by DabsCo a division of PullThePlugNow Ltd.

Yes...DabsCo...the same people that brought you Stencho...the anchovy scented joint cream!

Here is today's fantastic film...

Good grief...none of these people look real...

Game #108 - Toronto Blue Jays (49-59) @ Washington Nationals (55-53) - game recap

 

George Springer hit a 3-run HR in an 8-6 loss to the Nationals

After pulling off a win yesterday thanks to a solid effort from the bullpen and Myles Straw and Luis Urias providing the offense, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 13th series win and 5th season series win of the season. Shane Bieber got the start with Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate. Yohendrick Pinago was in LF. Ernie Clement was at the hot corner and Andres Gimenez got the start at SS. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 13th series win and 5th season series win of the season? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Nationals opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st on a bases loaded walk to Keibert Ruiz that forced in James Wood 
• A batter later, Dylan Crews was forced in on a bases loaded walk to Daylen Lile
• A batter after that, CJ Abrams scored on a sac fly by Nasim Nunez
• Two batters later, Ruiz scored on a bases loaded walk to Jacob Young
• Shane Bieber pitching line: 0.2IP 1H 4R (all earned) 6BB 0K 42 pitches (16 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 3rd as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled scoring Nathan Lukes. Nationals 3B Jorbit Vivas was charged with a throwing error on the play
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 4th on a ground out hit by Andres Gimenez that scored Brandon Valenzuela 
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was removed from the game prior t-o the start of the bottom of the 4th with hamstring tightness
• The Nationals added a run in the bottom half of the inning as Luis Garcia Jr. whacked a 2-run blast to right; also scoring Jacob Young
• Three batters later, Crews hammered a solo bomb to dead center
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 5th as Kazuma Okamoto hammered a solo bomb to dead center
• The Nationals added a run in the bottom half of the inning on a sac fly by Young that scored Liles
• Cade Cavalli pitching line: 6IP 6H 3R (2 earned) 2BB 3K 98 pitches (64 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got 3 back in the top of the 8th as George Springer hammered a 3-run bomb to straightaway center; also scoring Okamoto and Lukes
• Clayton Beeter pitched a perfect 9th for his 11th save of the season
• Final score: Nationals 8 Blue Jays 6

My Take:

• Shane Bieber was lit up for 4 runs on a hit while walking 6 and striking out none. He had absolutely no command of his pitches today and could be a real risk for someone who tries to acquire him at the deadline since he as been struggling all season with command. At the same time, he won the Cy Young award in 2020 and that will be attractive.
• The bullpwn gave up 4 runs on 7 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6. The two relievers, who are partially responsible for the Blue Jays being in the position they are with with 6 blown saves between them, Jeff Hoffman and Brendon Litlle threw a combined 3.1 innings and struck out 6 batters. I can see CJ Van Eik being optioned tomorrow since he obviously won't be available after throwing 69 pitches.
• The offence tried to do its part with George Springer hitting a huge 3-run bomb to dead center to put the Blue Jays within a pair of runs and 6 outs to work with. Alas, the next 6 batters went down in order. Kazuma Okamoto also went deep in his first AB after taking over for Vlad, who exited the game prior to the bottom of the 4th after tweaking his hamstring running the bases in the 3rd inning.
• The Blue Jays were 1-2 on ABS challenges and the Nationals were 2-1 on ABS challenges
• The Blue Jays were 1-6 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to end the road trip with a win and notch their 13th series win and 5th season series win of the season. Trey Yesavage starts against Nationals righty Zack Littell

Game # 108 - Toronto Blue Jays (49-58) @ Washington Nationals (54-53)

 

Anyone feel like Scrabble?

We had a little bit of everything last night...

Some crappy defense, some power from the non-usual sources, some Okamoto blazing speed, and a lockdown effort by the pen.

We also had the usual subset of idiots with their idiot chants.

Also nice to see Max get some love from the Nats fans.

So join us tonight at Nationals Park for *checks notes* Canada - U.S. Friendship Day...what could possibly go wrong?

Also...shouldn't every day be Canada - U.S. Friendship Day?

Get To Know Your Fellow JiTHer!!!

It's always good to know what your fellow JiTHer likes so today we bring you uber PITA IAO's favourite album...

It's a classic!!

----------------------------------

Special Rain Delay JiTH Apathy Section!!

While the rainy hours away with HiTH...

Yes, HiTH, guaranteed to soothe your soul yet make your blood boil.

HiTH is brought to you by DabsCo a division of  MopeyManBoy Ltd.

Yes DabsCo...The same people that brought you Hai Souvlaki aftershave....guaranteed to get you a Greek girl...or guy.

And tonight's masterpiece is...

If it's anything like the Jays Summer I bet it tastes pretty damned bitter....