Game #72 Atlanta Braves (43-29) @ Toronto Blue Jays (33-39) - game recap

Braves No. 9 hitter Charlie Culberson was 4-5 at the plate with 5 RBI and 2 runs scored and he sacrificed his body to make a great catch in LF to save a pair of runs as the Braves routed the Blue Jays 11-4

After a terrific series vs. the Nationals on the weekend, the Blue Jays were looking to continue their good play of late against a Braves team, who came into their series winners of 5 of their last 6 games, They had Jose Bautista for a couple of weeks but released him a couple of weeks ago Tonight, Toronto fans got to see Calgary native Mike Soroka on the mound. Canadian citizem Freddie Freeman is also on the team and batted 3rd and played 1B tonight. Ex Vancouver Canadian Kurt Suzuki was in the lineup and batting 6th as the DH tonight. The last time theses two teams met was last year and the Braves took three of four. Macus Stroman hit a home run in the Blue Jays 9-0 victory in Atlanta. Oh, and welcome back to Alex Antropolous, who put the rosters together for the 2015/2016 playoff runs. Here is today's game recap.

Game highlights

• The Braves took the lead in the top of the second as Johan Camargo hit a grand slam scoring Kurt Suzuki, Charlie Culberson and Ender Inciarte
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Randal Grichuk scored on a Luke Maile ground out
• The Braves added one more in the top of the 4th as Culberson homered to left-center
• Jaime Garcia pitching line 3IP 5H 5R (all earned) 3BB 2K 64 pitches (34 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the inning as Maile singled home Kevin Pillar
• The Braves added two more in the top of the 5th as Inciarte doubled home Nick Markakis and Suzuki
• The next batter Camargo singled to score Inciarte 
• The Blue Jays got a pair back in the bottom of the inning as Yangervis Solarte hit a ground rule double that scored  Justin Smoak and Teoscar Hernandez
• Michael Soroka pitching line 5IP 8H 4R (all earned) 2BB 2K 77 pitches (48 for strikes)
• The Braves added one more in the top of the 8th as Ozzie Albies doubled to score Camargo
• The Braves added yet another one in the top of the 9th as Inciarte doubled to score Culberson
• Three batters later, Dansby Swanson doubled home Inciarte 
• Final score: Braves 11 Blue Jays 4

My take 

• It was another rough outing for Jaime Garcia, his second in a row. His last start he gave up 4 runs on 4 hits while walking 4 over 5 innings. This was a crucial start for Garcia because someone will need to leave the rotation to make room for Marcus Stroman, who is now ready to return (unless the Blue Jays opt for a 6 man rotation). Garcia actually had a good start to the game, getting the first five batters he faced. Then Kurt Suzuki doubled and Garcia lost the strike zone walking the next two batters and Johan Camargo brought them all home with a no-doubter grand slam. He had a decent 3rd inning, giving up just a two out walk, but then he fell apart in the 4th, giving up three straight hits to start the inning and was pulled. The Blue Jays now have an interesting decision to make in five days when Stroman will likely be activated from the DL. Both Garcia and Sam Gaviglio have had moments where they've looked good and moments where one wonders if they'd be better suited for a long man role in the bullpen.
• Here's a piece of good news: everyone in today's line up is now batting .200 or better. Russell Martin is the only Blue Jay hitting below the Mendoza line.
• The bullpen was not good today. Blue Jays relievers gave up 6 runs on 9 hits and 3 walks in 6 innings of work today. Joe Biagini actually looked good today, giving up just one hit in 1.1 innings I honestly thought John Gibbons might bring in Kendrys Morales or Russell Martin to pitch if Aaron Loup didn't get the next batter or two, as he was nearing 20 pitches.
• Up next, the Blue Jays look for the series split before heading on a tough road trip out west. JA Happ will be pitching against righty Anibal Sanchez. By the way, tomorrow's game is on Facebook so you better sign up tonight or activate your account if you want to watch the game tomorrow.