Game #63 - Toronto Blue Jays (30-33) @ Atlanta Braves (42-21) - game recap

 

Myles Straw drove in 3 runs and scored a run in a 7-2 victory over the Braves

After another loss due to a bad day for the pitchers, the Blue Jays were trying to snap the 4-game skid and avoid being swept for the 2nd time this season and 1st in a season series. Righty Chad Dallas was selected to the MLB roster, righty Hayden Juenger was optioned to AAA-ball and righty Tanner Andrews was DFA'd. Mason Fluharty got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. George Springer was back in the lineup at DH. Daulton Varsho got the complete day off with Myles Straw at CF. Ernie Clement was at SS and Charles McAdoo was at 2B. Could the Blue Jays snap the 4-game skid and avoid being swept for the 2nd time this season and 1st in a season series? Here is tonight's game recap. 

Game Highlights:

• Mason Fluharty pitching line: 1.1IP 1H 0R 1BB 1K 25 pitches (14 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 3rd as Charles McAdoo singled scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr 
• Two batters later, Myles Straw singled scoring Kazuma Okamoto and McAdoo
• The Braves got one back in the bottom half of the inning on a sac fly by Matt Olson that scored Ronald Acuna Jr. 
• Chris Sale pitching line: 5.2IP 10H 3R (all earned) 2BB 6K 108 pitches (70 for strikes)
• The Braves got one back in the bottom of the 8th as Mauricio Dubon whacked a solo blast to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 9th as Nathan Lukes singled scoring Ernie Clement
• A batter later, Myles Straw singled scoring Guerrero Jr.
• A batter after that, Tyler Heineman doubled scoring Lukes and Straw
• Louis Varland got the last 4 outs for his 9th save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 7 Braves 2

My Take:

• Mason Fluharty threw 1.1 scoreless innings, giving up a hit, walking 1 and striking out 1. Still not a fan of the whole opener piggy backed by a bulk inning guy phenomen that was started largely by the Rays who were in a similar injury situation that the Blue Jays are facing right now. First and foremost, it burns a reliever right away. Second, what happens if the opener can't get out of the 1st inning? Then you either have to use a SECOND reliever to escape the jam or bring your bulk guy into a mess right away. Also, the bulk guy is going to face the entire lineup at least once and likely twice anyway, so why not let them start the game and settle in right away? Teams should start getting more than just the five pitchers expected to be the traditional starters stretched out in spring training so there is no need for an opener/bulk reliever.
• The rest of the relievers held the Braves to a pair of runs on 3 hits while walking 2 and striking ut 4 over the last 7.2 innings. Chad Dallas had a decent debut holding the Braves to a run on 2 hits while walking 2 and striking out 1. He'll likely be optioned back to AAA-ball soon once Dylan Cease comes off the IL, likely his next turn. Jeff Hoffman, Tyler Rogers and Louis Varland retired every batter they faced
• The offence took full advantage of an ineffective Chris Sale. Myles Straw (3RBI, run scored), Vlad (2 runs scored) and Tyler Heineman led the way today
• Every Blue Jays starter except Yohendrick Pinago had a hit and all but Pinago and George Springer either scored a run or drove in a run
• The Braves were 2-2 on ABS challenges and Myles Straw was unsuccessful on the Blue Jays only ABS challenge
• The Blue Jays were 7-18 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays open 10-day, 9-game homestand against the Orioles. The two teams split the 4-game series in Baltimore a week ago with the Orioles outscoring the Blue Jays 21-18. Righty Kyle Bradish starts for the Orioles. The Blue Jays haven't set their rotation for the series yet.

Game #63 Toronto Blue Jays (29-33) @ Atlanta Barves (42-20)

 

Game #62 - Toronto Blue Jays (29-33) @ Atlanta Braves (42-20) - game recap

Nathan Lukes scored twice, including a solo HR in a 7-3 loss to the Braves

After a late game really fell short yesterday, the Blue Jays were trying to snap the 3- game skid and avoid their 9th series loss of the season. Patrick Corbin got the start with Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate.  George Springer got the complete day off (Jesus Sanchez served as DH tonight). Could the Blue Jays snap the three game skid and avoid their 9th series loss of the season?  Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st on a double play ball hit by Jesus Sanchez that scored Nathan Lukes 
• The Braves tied it in the bottom of the 2nd as Ha-Seong Kim singled scoring Eli White. Lukes was charged with s throwing error on the play. 
• The Blue Jays retook the lead in the top of the 3rd as Lukes belted a solo jack to right
• The Braves took the lead in the bottom half of the inning on a 3-run bomb to dead center by Mauricio Dubon; also scoring Matt Olson and Ozzie Albies 
• Patrick Corbin pitching line: 5IP 6H 4R (all earned) 2BB 1K 85 pitches (53 for strikes)
• Grant Holmes pitching line: 6IP 5H 2R (both earned) 2BB 4K 89 pitches (56 for strikes)
• The Braves added 3 runs in the bottom of the 7th as Albies whacked a 3-run blast to left; also scoring Dominic Smith and Olson
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 9th as Brandon Valenzuela hammered a solo bomb to the second deck in right
• Final score: Braves 7 Blue Jays 3

My Take:

•  Patrick Corbin battled through 5 innings, giving up 4 runs on 6 hits while walking 2 and striking out 1. It was unfortunate he gave up a 3-run HR immediately after the Blue Jays knotted the game at 2. Corbin struggled with getting out of innings cleanly, getting the first 2 outs and then getting into a jam. Very interesting that the Blue Jays traded for Simeon-Woods Richardson after he was DFA'd by the Twins, especially since Shane Bieber, and Dylan Cease all on rehab assignments this week. The Blue Jays could opt for a 6-man rotation but pitchers are creatures of habit and would likely falter if off their typical 5 day rotation more than a turn or two.
• The bullpen gave up 3 runs on 3 hits while walking 1and striking out none over the last 3 innings. Rookie Adam Macko was taken deep for the three runs against. Hayden Juenger retired every batter he faced
• Nathan Lukes led the way offensively, scoring twice, including a solo HR. Brandon Valenzuela also went deep in the 9th. Valenzuela is doing everything he can to force his way into the backup catcher role when Alejandro Kirk returns in a week or two.
• The Blue Jays were 0-1 on ABS challenges and the Braves succeessly overturned their only ABS challenge
• The Blue Jays were 0-4 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 and 1st time in a season series. It will be another bullpen day with righty Chad Dallas is in Atlanta on the taxi squad so will likely figure in as a bulk reliever or traditional starter. The Braves will counter with lefty Chris Sale

Game #62 Toronto Blue Jays (29-32) @ Atlanta Barves (41-20)

 

Game #61 - Toronto Blue Jays (29-32) @ Atlanta Braves (41-20) - game recap

 

Kazuma Okamoto hit a 2-run HR in a losing effort as the Braves hung on to edge the Blue Jays 4-3

After an off-day/travel day yesterday, the Blue Jays continued the road trip in Atlanta. The Blue Jays won the season series last year, outscoring the Braves 13-12. Ace Kevin Gausman got the start with Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate. George Springer was back in the lineup at DH after the complete day off Sunday. Vlad was back in the field after the half day off as DH Sunday. Nathan Lukes was in LF and Yohendrick Pinago was in RF. Could the Blue Jays snap the 2-game skid and start the week with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Braves opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Michael Harris II doubled scoring Ronald Acuna Jr,
• Two batters later, Harris II scored on a sac fly by Ozzie Albies
• The Blue jays tied it in the top of the 2nd as Kazuma Okamoto whacked a 2-run blast to the opposite field in right; also scoring Yohendrick Pinago 
• The Braves retook the lead in the bottom of the 3rd as Albies singled scoring Matt Olson
• The Blue Jays tied it in the top of the 6th on a sac fly by Daulton Varsho that scored Nathan Lukes
• The Braves retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Olson smacked a solo blast to right
• Bryce Elder pitching line: 6.2IP  6H 3R (all earned) 1BB 6K 103 pitches (64 for strikes)
• Kevin Gausman pitching line: 6IP 5H 4R (all earned) 2BB 8K 96 pitches (58 for strikes)
• Raisel Iglesias threw a scoreless 9th for his 11th save of the season
• Final score: Braves 4 Blue Jays 3

My Take:

• Kevin Gausman battled through 6 innings, giving up 4 runs on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 8. The Braves got to him right away, scoring twice in the 1st inning. Three starters may be getting close to returning with Shane Bieber, Max Scherzer and Dylan Cease all eyeing starting rehab assignments in the coming days. This will take the pressure off Gausman to have to pitch deep in games to save the bullpen.
• The bullpen pittched 2 scoreless innings. Brayden Fisher and Connor Seabold both retired every batter they faced
• Offensively, Kazuma Okanoto (2-run HR) and Daulton Varsho had clutch game-tying RBI's, but the Blue Jays weren't able to score the go-ahead run. Caase in point, 9th inning, the Blue Jays had 2 chances to at least send the game to extra innings, only to see Andres Gimenez and pinch hitter Jesus Sanchez pop out to end the game. George Springer and Vlad both need to do more to help out.
• Lots of ABS challenges in this one. Brandon Valenzuela was unsuccessful in the Blue Jays only ABS challenge. The Braves were a perfect 4-for-4 with Braves catcher Sandy Leon overturning three ABS challenges
• The Blue Jays were 0-6 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 3-game skid and avoid their 10th series loss and 5th season series loss of the season. Patricjk Corbin starts against Braves righty Grant Holmes