Game #73 Atlanta Braves (43-30) @ Toronto Blue Jays (34-39) - game recap

JA Happ pitched 8.1 strong innings as the Blue Jays defeated the Braves 5-4 to earn the series split. The two teams will meet again July 10-11 in Atlanta.

This was a key game that the Blue Jays will want to win with the team embarking on a difficult west coast road trip that starts tomorrow in Anaheim. Last night, they were trounced by the Braves, who jumped all over some shoddy pitching. Today, the Blue Jays sent ace JA Happ to the mound, looking for his 9th win of the season. Could he be the tonic for the Blue Jays? Here is today's game recap.

Game highlights

• The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the 1st as Kendrys Morales crushed a 2 run HR into the upper deck that also scored Justin Smoak
• The Braves got one back in the top of the 2nd as Kurt Suzuki homered into the Blue Jays bullpen
• The Braves tied it in the top of the 3rd on a Peter Bourjos homer to left
• The Blue Jays retook the lead in the bottom of the 4th as Randal Grichuk doubled home Morales
• Russell Martin scored on a sac fly by the next batter, Aledmys Diaz
• Anibal Sanchez pitching line: 5IP 5H 4R (all earned) 4BB 7K 97 pitches (54 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added an insurance run in the bottom of the 7th as Yangervis Solarte singled to score Devon Travis
• JA Happ pitching line: 8.1IP 6H 3R (all earned) 0BB 8K 113 pitches (79 for strikes)
• The Braves got one back in the 9th as Suzuki singled to score Freddie Freeman.
• Two batters later, Ender Inciarte singled home Nick Markakis
• Ryan Tepera escaped the jam for his 5th save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 5 Braves 4

My take 

• JA Happ was excellent today. He pitched 8 strong innings, giving up a pair of solo HR on inside fastball attempts that didn't quite get in far enough. He gave 4 singles, 2 in the 9th and unfortunately both runners came around to score. Happ retired the side in order in the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th and 8th innings
• Kendrys Morales and Aledmys Diaz both had good days at the plate with 2 for 3 efforts.
• Russell Martin continues to struggle at the plate, his average actually dropped 2 points to .163 but he did draw 2 walks and he did a nice job calling a good game for JA Happ.
• It was nice to see the Blue Jays bounce back after a tough game yesterday.
• Up next, they embark on a week long road trip, starting tomorrow in Anaheim. The Blue Jays will not face Shohei Ohtani, who could be looking at Tommy John surgery for his elbow. The Blue Jays lost the series in Toronto back in May. They will have to pitch carefully to Mike Trout, who is having another MVP-like season with a .333BA, 23 HR, 1.158OPS and 48RBI. Thursday's pitching matchup sees righty Aaron Sanchez up against Angels lefty Tyler Skaggs.