Game #85 - NY Mets (35-50) @ Toronto Blue Jays (40-45) - game recap

 

Trey Yesavage threw 6.2 strong innings in a 2-1 victory over the Mets

After dropping yesterdays game after yet another pathetic effort by the offense and a bizarre wild pitch where pinch runner Jarred Kelenic scored from second base when Alejandro Kirk couldn't find the ball, the Blue Jays were looking to snap the 6-game skid and start the week with a win as they welcome Bo Bichette and the Mets back to Toronto. Bichette hit .294 with 111HR and 437RBI over 7 seasons. He was arguably the Blue Jays most consistent hitter in most seasons, save for 2024 when he missed half the season with a calf injury. His defense left a lot to be desired, but I bet any Blue Jays fan would overlook that for a consistent bat. The Mets swept the season series last year, outscoring the Blue Jays 10-3. Trey Yesavage got the start with Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate.  Myles Straw was in CF, Ernie Clement was at SS and Luis Urias got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays snap the 6-game skid and start the week with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st on a little league HR that was scored as a triple and fielding error my Mets CF AJ Ewing
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 5th on a sac fly by Myles Straw that scored Luis Urias 
• Sean Manaea pitching line: 5.2IP 3H 2R (both earned)  2BB 4K 90 pitches (56 for strikes)
• The Mets got one back in the top of the 7th as Francisco Lindor whacked a solo blast to right and into the Blue Jays bullpen
• Trey Yesavage pitching line: 6.2IP 3H 1R (earned) 0BB 3K 94 pitches (57 for strikes)
• Louis Varland threw a scoreless 9th for his 17th save of the season.
• Final score: Blue Jays 2 Mets 1

My Take:

• Trey Yesavage pitched 6.2 strong innings, giving up a run on 3 hitas while walking none and striking out 3. The Blue Jays needed this kind of performance from Yesavage after a couple of rough outings meant heavy use on a taxed bullpen. He retired 11 in a row at one point.
• The bullpen threw 2.1 scoreless innings, giving up 2 hits, walking 2 and striking out two. Mason Fluharty pitched a third of an inning but technically didn't retire the only batter he faced since Brandon Valenzuela gunned down one of the runners that were on base when he entered the game to end the 7th inning. Louis Varland is almost a lock to be at the all-star game in Philadelphis next month.
• The offense scored one ugly run on a George Springer triple that was booted around in the outfield so badly that Springer was able to score standing up and a sac fly. This is just not sustainable and if some of the bats don't get going soon, it'll be too late.
• Bo Bichette in his return to Toronto was quiet at the plate with an 0-4 effort. He immensly enjoyed the tribute video, watching from the outfield, tapping his heart once and then saluting the fans. Who knows, maybe there will be a reunion in a year or two.
• The Mets were 1-3 on ABS challenges and George Springer was unsuccessful on the Blue Jays only ABS challenge
• The Blue Jays were 0-6 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 10th series win of the season. Ace Kevin Gausman starts against Mets righty Nolan McLean

Game #85 - New York Mets (35-49) @ Toronto Blue Jays (39-45)

 

Let me tell you about this one catch I made....

I'll give this team some credit...at least they found a creative and unusual way to lose yesterday.

So they're now staring a six game losing streak in the eyes and wondering if the Mets (with Bo in tow) will be the panacea they so desperately need.

I have no idea how this series is going to play out but knowing 2026 it may get ugly.

Also ugly is the starting line-up but get used to it cuz Barger is broken again and you'll get more Sosa before him and like it.

JiTH Social Calendar

Semi-respected poster IAO has informed us that he's soon leaving for an Alaskan cruise.

We wish his family all the best of luck while they spend "quality" time with him.

We here at JiTH will tepidly debate the merits of his lost input while he's away.

In the interests of science I've dusted off the JiTH ChronoViewer to take a sneak peek at IAO's future trip.

Yup...pretty much as I thought.

And if the game really lacks any appeal for you there's this handy little thing to amuse you...

Game #84 - Texas Rangerss (42-42) @ Toronto Blue Jays (39-45) - game recap

 

Nathan Lukes hit a 2-run HR in a 3-2 loss to the Rangers

After another loss due to ome rough pitching and not enough offense, the Blue Jays were looking to snap the 5-game skid and avoid their 8th season series loss of the season and being swept for the 2nd time this season. Shane Bieber got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after the half day off as DH yesterday (George Springer served as DH today). Could the Blue Jays snap the 5-game skid and avoid their 8th season series loss of the season and being swept for the 2nd time this season? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Rangers opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Joc Pederson whacked a solo blast to right
• The Rangers added a run in the top of the 6th as Elias Diaz singled scoring Brandon Nimmo
• Shane Bieber pitching line: 5.1IP 5H 2R (both earned) 4BB 4K 92 pitches (56 for strikes)
• Kumar Rocker pitching line: 6IP 4H 0R 1BB 5K 92 pitches (60 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays tied it in the bottom of the 8th as Nathan Lukes whacked a 2-run blast to right; also scoring George Springer
• The Rangers took the lead in the top of the 9th on a wild pitch by Louis Varland that scored Jarred Kelenic
• Tyler Alexander threw a perfect 9th for his 4th save of the season
• Final score: Rangers 3 Blue Jays 2

My Take:

• Shane Bieber battled threw 4.2 innings, giving up a pair of runs on 5 hits while walking 4 and striking out 4. A bit of a rough 1st inning, gettung taken deep on the game's first pitch then loading the bases on a hit and a pair of walks but he limited the damage to a run. He gor better as the game went on and retired 6 in a row at one point.
• The bullpen gave up a run on 3 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6 over the last 3.2 innings. Baseball can be such a cruel sport sometimes. Louis Varland gave up a double then uncorked a wild pitch that went into the dugout to allow the runner to score from 2nd base. None of the relievers retired every batter they faced
• Another game another pitiful effort from the offense. Nathan Lukes went deep in the 8th inning for 2 runs and that was it. Only 4 Blue Jays got hits and reached base and Vlad wasn't one of them - another 0-4 day. Maybe he needs a day off or perhaps a 10-day IL stint.
• The Blue Jays were a perfect 4-4 on ABS challenges with Alejandro Kirk getting 3 calls overturned. Rangers catcher Elias Diaz was 0-1 on ABS challenges
• The Blue Jays were 0-4 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays welcome the NY Mets and Bo Bichetter back to Toronto. The Mets swept the season series last year, outscooring the Blue Jays 10-3. Trey Yesavage starts against Mets lefty Sean Manaea

Game #84 - Texas Rangers (41-42) @ Toronto Blue Jays (39-44)

 

Spell my last name correctly or I'll make fun of Dabs.

I gotta admit...this team is really hard to watch right now.

I thought we'd go at least 7-3 on this homestand but I was obviously wrong.

Losing always sucks but it's the way we're doing it...crappy starting pitching, lack of timely hitting, indifferent play...it's depressing.

Normally I'd be optimistic about the All Star break coming up but there's the matter of a pesky little nine game west coast trip to get out of the way first.

That might very well be the end of the season.

C'MON GUYS!!! GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER!!

On a positive note it's good for you soccer fans to at least have the World Cup to distract you from the Jays.

Sadly the thought of watching either makes me want to scoop my eyes out with a melon baller.

SPECIAL BEHIND THE SCENES ACTION!

   Actual footage of Hot Dog filling out the line up.

Game #83 Texas Rangers (41-42) Blue Jays (39-44) - game recap

 

Alejandro Kirk hit aa solo HR, his 50th career hit, in a 7-4 loss to the Rangers

After another loss due to an ugly start from Patrick Corbin, the Blue Jays were looking to snap the 4-game skid anrd avoid their 12th series loss of  the season. Infielder Sean Keys was added to the MLB roster (and got the start at 1B with Vlad getting the half  day off as DH), Davis Schneider was optioned to AAA-ball, Jesus Sanchez was placed on the 10-day IL with an ankle sprain and Yohendrick Pinago was recalled from AAA-ball (and got the start in LF). Dylan Cease got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Could the Blue Jays snap the 4-game skid and avoid their 12th series loss of the season? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights: 

• The Rangers opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Jake Burger singled scoring Brandon Nimmo
• The Rangers added a run in the top of the 5th as Burger singled scoring Josh Jung
• Two batters later, Alejandro Osuna singled scoring Nimmo and Burger 
• A batter later,  Elias Diaz doubled scoring Ezequiel Duran and Osuna
• Dylan Cease pitching line: 4.2IP 4H 4R (all earned) 5BB 10K 107 pitches (62 for strikes)
• Cal Quantrill pitching line: 4IP 2H 0R 1BB 5K 55 pitches (36 for strikes)
• The Blue jays got a pair back in the bottom half of the inning as Yohendrick Pinago hammered a 2-run run bomb to right-center; also scoring Ernie Clement
• The Rangers added a run in the top of the 6th as Corey Seager smacked a solo blast to right-center and into the Rangers bullpen
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Alejandro Kirk belted s solo jack to left
• Four batters later, Andres Gimenez singled scoring Sean Keys
• Tyler Alexander threw a perfect 9th for his 3rd save of the season
• Final score: Rangers 7 Blue Jays 4

My Take:

• Dylan Cease battled through 4.2 innings, giving up 4 runs on 4 hits while walking 5 and striking out 10. Not a great 1st inning, walking 3 batters, but at least he was able to limit the damage to 1 run. Not so much in the 5th when the Rangers scored 5 times in the inning, three of which were charged to Cease. Good sign he was racking up the strikeouts. Locate the ball a bit more and maybe he prevents a few baserunners.
• The bullpen gave up 3 runs on 7 hits while walking 1 and striking out 3 over the last 4.1 innnings. Mason Fluharty was only able to retire one batter and Brayden Fisher was taken deep the next inning to put the game out of reach. None of the relievers retired every batter they faced.
• What to do with Vlad. 0-5 today and not hustling to first meant a double play that could havve been prevented had he run with a bit of effort. He should definitely be moved down the order and maybe get a day off tomorrow. Alejandro Kirk (solo HR) and Yohendrick Pinago (2-run HR) did the damage offensively
• Alejandro Kirk was 3-1 on ABS challenges and Rangers catcher Elias Diaz was 2-1 on ABS challenges
• The Blue Jays were 2-7 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 5 game skid and avoid being swept for the 2nd time this season. Shane Bieber starts against Rangers righty Kumar Rocker