After dropping the game yesterday due to the inept offense and an unfortunate fielding error by catcher Brandon Valenzuela, the Blue Jays were looking to escape Milwaukee with their 2nd series win of the season. Patrick Corbin got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. Davis Schneider was in LF (batting leadoff) and Jesus Sanchez was in RF. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Kazuma Okamoto at 1B. Could the Blue Jays notch their 2nd series win of the season? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 3rd on a sac fly by Tyler Heineman that scored Andres Gimenez
- The Brewers tied it up in the bottom of the 4th on a sac fly by Luis Rengifo that scored Brice Turang
- Patrick Corbin pitching line: 5.1IP 4H 1R (earned) 1BB 6K 79 pitches (53 for strikes)
- Brandon Sproat pitching line: 6.2IP 4H 1R (earned) 1BB 6K 75 pitches (50 for strikes)
- The Brewers took the lead in the bottom of the 7th on a sac bunt by Joey Ortiz that scored Garrett Mitchell
- Angel Zerpa threw a scoreless 9th for his 2nd save of the season
- Final score: Brewers 2 Blue Jays 1
My Take:
- Both starting pitchers were equally effective today with Patrick Corbin and Brandon Sproat both surrendering a run on a sac fly. Both starters gave up 4 hits and walked a batter while striking out 6. Sproat was a bit more efficient going an extra inning and throwing four less pitches and a better strike to ball ratio. For Corbin, this will likely be his last start in a Blue Jays uniform with Trey Yesavage expected to return to the blue jays rotation next week. Jose Berrios shouldn't be too far behind either as he starts a rehab assignment. Eric Lauer will likely be moved to the bullpen as a long man once Yesavage and Berrios return from injury.
- The bullpen gave up a run on 3 hits while walking 2 and striking out 2 over the last 2.1 innings. Tommy Nance took the loss. It's time for the Blue Jays to start working on infield defense because you can't be giving up runs on sac bunts. Alejandro Kirk can't return fast enough from his broken thumb
- The offense needs to find ways to manufacture runs. You can't expect the pitchers to have their best stuff going every game. Take the top of the 3rd for example, the Blue Jays got runners on the corners with none out and could only manage to bring in the one run on a sac fly. Vlad hit into a double play in the 6th inning and Davis Schneider was stranded at 3rd because Jesus Sanchez lined out to end the inning. In the 1st, 2nd, 5th and 8th innings, the Blue Jays were retired in order. This begs the question of who the team is missing more: Bo Bichette, who afforded some protection in the lineup because he was so consistent in hitting, or Don Mattingly, who played a large role in the offenses success from s coaching perspective last year.
- There were 7 ABS calls that were overturned and one ABS call confirmed. Among the catchers requesting the challenges, Brewers catcher William Contreras was 2-1 and Tyler Heineman was a perfect 2-2. Jesus Sanchez was successful in both his challenges and Vlad got one ABS call overturned. You will see more challenges on days where umpires with bad reputations of high inaccuracy of calling balls and strikes is behind the plate. It will be interesting to see which umpire has the most overturned calls at the end of the season.
- Up next, the Blue Jays continue the road trip in Arizona where they will look to snap a 2-game skid. The Blue Jays won the season series last year, outscoring the Diamondbacks 18-14. Eric Lauer starts against Diamondbacks righty Michael Soroka.
