Saturday, September 8, 2018

Game #141 Cleveland Indians (80-61) @ Toronto Blue Jays (64-77) - game recap

Kevin Pillar hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 11th as the Blue Jays came from behind to beat the Indians 3-2

Rough game yesterday with Francisco Lindor victimizing the Blue Jays and being in on 5 of the 9 Indians runs yesterday. Tonight, Marco Estrada was looking to get the Blue Jays back on track. Richard Urena got the start at second base and Rowdy Tellez (boy do I love his name) got the nod at first base. Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights

  • The Indians opened the scoring in the top of the 5th as Jose Ramirez singled scoring Greg Allen
  • The Blue Jays tied it in the bottom half of the inning as Rowdy Tellez scored on a sac fly by Aledmys Diaz
  • The Indians took the lead in the top of the 6th as Yan Gomes homered to left
  • Marco Estrada pitching line: 6IP 5H 2R (both earned) 2BB 5K 103 pitches (64 for strikes)
  • The Blue Jays tied it in the bottom of the 7th as Tellez doubled home Randal Grichuk
  • Carlos Carrasco pitching line: 8IP 6H 2R (1 earned) 1BB 14K 113 pitches (82 for strikes)
  • The Blue Jays won it in the bottom of the 11th as Kevin Pillar hit a walk-off solo HR to lefct-center
  • Final score: Blue Jays 3 Indians 2
My Take

  • Marco Estrada looked much better tonight. He threw 6 strong innings, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and a pair of walks. There have been questions about Estrada's health lately with his back but tonight it appeared not to affect him too much. Estrada got a lot of fly ball outs tonight, which is usually an indicator that he is having a good night. Hopefully he can build on this start for next time.
  • Way too many strikeouts by the Blue Jays tonight. Twenty Blue Jay batters, including fourteen who fell victim to starter Carlos Carrasco who lasted 8 innings. The only Blue Jays starter not to strike out was Kevin Pillar.
  • It was nice to see the Blue Jays come back twice against the Indians tonight.
  • Quirky stat of the day: the Blue Jays used three different catchers today: Luke Maile started and was lifted for a pinch hitter, Danny Jansen played the 9th and 10th and was lifted for a pinch runner, forcing last night's starter Reese McGuire to finish the game
  • Rowdy Tellez continues to shine as a September call-up. He became just the second AL rookie since 1936 to have 6 or more doubles over any three game span. Tellez factored in with two of the three Blue Jays runs today. He also fine defensively today. Look for Tellez to platoon at first base with Justin Smoak next year.
  • Richard Urena was 1-4 at the plate today and struck out only once.
  • Danny Jansen came in as a defensive replacement in the 9th and singled in his only at-bat
  • Reese McGuire came in as a defensive replacement in the 11th and did not get an AB
  • Tim Mayza pitched 0.2 of an inning, walking two and striking out one\
  • Jose Fernandez pitched 0.2 of an inning, allowing one hit
  • Up next, the Blue Jays look to take the lead in this 4 game series as Sean Reid-Foley takes the mound against Indians righty Adam Plutko