Game #21 - Toronto Blue Jays (7-13) @ Arizona Diamondbacks (13-8)

 

Game #20- Toronto Blue Jays (7-13) @ Arizona Diamondbacks (13-8) - game recap

M-ax Scherzer threw 6 solid innings in a 6-2 loss to the Diamondbacks

After a hybrid bullpen day with Eric Lauer as the bulk inning guy went south, the Blue Jays were looking to snap the 3-game skid and avoid losing their 6th straight series and 3rd straight season series. Max Scherzer got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. Jesus Sanchez was in LF, Myles Straw was in RF and Nathan Lukes was in RF. Could the Blue Jays snap the 3-game skid and avoid losing their 6th straight series and 3rd straight season series? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Jesus Sanchez singled scoring Nathan Lukes
• The Diamondbacks tied it in the bottom half of the inning as Geraldo Perdomo singled scoring Corbin Carroll
• The Diamondbacks took the lead in the bottom of the 5th as Alek Thomas doubled scoring Jose Fernandez
• The Blue jaysFinal score:  tied it in the top of the 6th as Kazuma Okamoto singled scoring Eloy Jimenez
• Zac Gallen pitching line: 5.2IP 9H 2R (both earned) 0BB 3K 88 pitches (63 for strikes
• Max Scherzer pitching line: 6IP 5H 2R (both earned) 1BB 1K 74 pitches (50 for strikes)
• The Diamondbacks retook the lead in the bottom of the 8th on a grand slam to the opposite field in left-center by Carroll that also scored Ildemaro Vargas, Thomas and Ketel Marte 
• Final score: Diamondbacks 6 Blue Jays 2

My Take:

• Max Scherzer fired 6 strong innings, giving up a pair of runs on 5 hits while walking 1 and striking out 1. He retired 8 in a row at one point and the drizzled veteran made pitches when he had to. The Blue jays should considering keeping him in the rotation even when everyone is healthy because he adds so much valuable knowledge in the dugout and tonight he showed he can still contribute meaningfully. Next start, Scherzer should reach the 3500 strikeout milestone. 
• The bullpen gave up 4 runs on 3 hits and a walk (all against Jeff Hoffman, who is apparently being moved out of the closer role, at least temporarily) and striking out 2. The Blue Jays should give Tyler Rogers, who has been fantastic so far this season, as crack at cloring games.
• The offense continues to sputter along. Nathan Lukes had a good night in the leadoff spot with 3 hits and he scored the Blue Jays first run.
• The Blue Jays had their chances, as evidenced by every starter except Andres Gimenez and Tyler Heineman with at least 1 hit.
• There were no ABS challenges for the second straight day, but the Blue Jays successfully overturned 2 calls in the field. When you are struggling as a team, you need to challenge every call you can.
• The Blue Jays were 2-9 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 4-game skid and avoid being swept for the 2nd time (1st in a season series). Ace Kevin Gausman starts against Diamondbaacks righty Ryne Nelson

Game #20 - Toronto Blue Jays (7-12) @ Arizona Diamondbacks (12-8)

 

Game #19- Toronto Blue Jays (7-12) @ Arizona Diamondbacks (12-8) - game recap

 

Myles Straw scored twice, including a solo HR in a losing effort as the Diamondbacks came from behind to double up the Blue Jays 6-3

After dropping a 5th straight series and 2nd straight season series, the Blue Jays were looking to start the weekend with a win and snap a 2-game skid. They began a weekend series against the Diamondbacks tonight. The Blue Jays took the season series last year, outscoring the Diamondbacks 18-14. Brayden Fisher got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after the half day off as DH yesterday (Lenyn Sosa served as DH tonight). Kazuma Okamoto was back at the hot corner and Ernie Clement got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays snap the 2-game skid? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• Brandon Fisher pitching line: 1IP 1H 0R 0BB 0K 11 pitches (9 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 4th on a sac bunt by Lenyn Sosa that scored Myles Straw 
• The Diamondbacks tied it in the bottom half of the inning as Nolan Arenado whacked a solo blast to left and into the diamondbacks bullpen
• The Diamondbacks added a run in the bottom of the 5th as Corbin Carroll singled scoring Jorge Berrosa
• Two batters later, Jose Fernandez singled scoring Ketel Marte
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 6th as Straw belted a solo jack to left and into the Diamondbacks bullpen
• The Diamondbacks added a run in the bottom of the 7th on a throwing error by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on a ball hit by Fernandez that scored Marte
• A batter later, Arenado singled scoring Carroll
• Michael Soroka pitching line: 7IP 5H 2R (both earned) 0BB 5K 94 pitches (67 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 8th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr singled scoring Tyler Heineman\
• The Diamondbacks added a run in the bottom half of the inning as Tim Tawa doubled scoring James Mccann
• Paul Sewald pitched a perfect 9th for his 7th save of the season
• Final score: Diamondbacks 6 Blue Jays 3

My Take:

• Brayden Fisher, the most effective pitcher on the night, did his job, pitching an efficient scoreless inning, allowing just the one hit. I'm not a big fan of using openers, mainly because it wastes a bullpen arm and generally the bullpen has a heavier use night on bullpen days, especially if the pitcher designated as the bulk reliever has an off-night. 
• Eric Lauer, the bulk reliever today, gave up 3 runs on 5 hits while walking 1 and striking out 4. Spencer Miles gave up 2 unearned runs after a bad throw from Vlad that Miles couldn't handle cleanly. The bullpen can't keep giving up runs, especially when the offense can't generate runs consistently
• On the ouch files, Daulton Varsho left the game prior to the bottom of the 3rd with left knee soreness. Vlad caught a ball awkwardly in the 8th, jamming a finger. The Blue Jays can ill-afford to lose either player long-term. Varsho's injury could necessitate George Springer getting reps in the outfield. Ernie Clement and Kazuma Okamoto can both play 1st base if Vlad needs to miss a day or two.
• Offensively Straw scored twice, including a 4th inning solo blast to draw the Blue Jays within a run. Nice strategy by Lenyn Sosa to drive in the 1st run via a sac bunt. All runs count whether the ball is hit 400 feet or a foot. A speedy player could force a bad throw.
• There were no ABS challenges today.
• The Blue Jays were 1-7 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 3-game skid and avoid their 6th series loss and 4th season series loss of the season. Max Scherzer starts against Diamondbacks righty Zac Gallen

Game #19 - Toronto Blue Jays (7-11) @ Arizona Diamondbacks (11-8)