Game #143 Cleveland Indians (81-62) @ Toronto Blue Jays (65-78) - game recap

Teoscar Hernandez hit a huge three-run HR in the bottom of the 8th to put the game out of reach as the Blue Jays defeated the Indians 6-2

This one's for all the marbles. The season series is tied at three and this is the rubber match. Thomas Pannone makes his second career start (the first one was pretty rough. Yangervis Solarte returned to the lineup from an oblique injury. Reese McGuire got his second career start. Justin Smoak also returned to the lineup at first base and the red hot Rowdy McGuire was DH'ing today. Could this lineup beat Cleveland? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights

• The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the 1st as Justin Smoak smoked a 2 run HR to right also scoring Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
• The Indians got one back in the top of the 3rd as Francisco Lindor homered to left-center
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 3rd as Smoak singled home Reese McGuire
• Mike Clevinger pitching line: 6IP 4H 3R (all earned) 2BB 9K 108 pitches (69 for strikes)
• The Indians got one back in the top of the 7th as Brandon Barnes homered to left
• Thomas Pannone pitching line: 6.1IP 4H 2R (both earned) 3BB 2K 93 pitches (60 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added three runs in the bottom of the 8th as Teoscar Hernandez crushed a three-run HR into the upper deck in left also scoring Smoak and Gurriel Jr.
• Final score: Blue Jays 6 Indians 2 

My Take

• A very scary moment took place in the top of the 4th as Randal Grichuk slid face first into a chair held by a security guard who was trying to get out of the way of the play. Grichuk stayed down, but left under his own power with trainer Nikki Huffman holding a towel to his bloody nose. Grichuk was undergoing concussion testing and that, plus the swelling around his left eye, will likely determine whether he plays Tuesday in Boston.
• Thomas Pannone was very solid today, throwing 6.1 strong innings of 4 hit ball. Both of the runs he allowed were off solo HRs. A credit to Pannone for getting through the 4th inning after watching his teammate go down like that. Reese McGuire made a very smart move using a mound visit after Pannone walked Brandon Guyer, who hit the fateful foul ball, and the next batter. Pannone looks like he has a shot at a rotation spot or a bullpen role next year.
• Jonathan Davis took over defensively in LF in the top of the 9th and did not have to make a play.
• Rowdy Tellez had his 4 game hit streak snapped but he was strong as always defensively.
• Richard Urena took over defensively at second base in the 9th and did not have to make a play
• Reese McGuire had a day of firsts today: he drew his first walk, stole his first base, scored his first run and had the first base stolen against him. I also thought McGuire showed great awareness when he used a mound visit after Pannone walked two batters in a row after Grichuk gets hurt. Part of a catcher's job is to keep the pitcher calm and in control. He had a great game today.
• Jose Fernandez faced one batter today and allowed a single to Michael Brantley]
• David Paulino pitched to four batters in the ninth, walking one, striking out one, allowing a singled to one and getting one to ground out.
• Overall, it was a great game by the Blue Jays, who rallied around their fallen teammate and defeated the Indians to finish the home stand on a winning note
• Up next, after an off day tomorrow, the second last one of the year, the Blue Jays travel to Boston where they will try to make life miserable for the Red Sox. Game 1 Tuesday sees lefty Ryan Borucki up against Red Sox ace Chris Sale, who will be making his first start coming off the DL and will be limited to 40 pitches or up to 4 innings or so if he averages 10 pitches an inning.