Game #103 - Texas Rangers (51-53) @ Toronto Blue Jays (47-56) - game recap

 

Ernie Clement drove in  a pair of runs, including the game-winning run in a 6-5 come-from-behind walkoff win over the Rangers

After an ugly 13-0 loss to the Rays last night where the Blue Jays were a disaster in every facet of the game, the Blue Jays were looking to rebound as they opened a weekend series against the  Texas Rangers, who won 6 of 7 in the season series last season, outscoring the Blue Jays 51-20.  Yimi Garcia was traded to the Mariners for outfielder Jonatan Clase, who was oprioned to AAA-ball. Garcia was 3-0 with 5 saves and a 2.70ERA in 29 appearances this season. Over parts of 3 seasons, Garcia was 10-9 with 9 saves and a 3.44ERA in 163 appearances. Ryan Burr was optioned to AAA-ball. Yerry Rodriguez and Zach Pop were  recalled from AAA-ball. Yusei Kikuchi made what is expected to be his final start in a Blue Jays uniform as he is expected to be moved ahead of next Tuesday's trade deadline. Danny Jansen, who could also be on the move, was behind the plate. Kevin Kiermaier was in CF. Could the Blue Jays start the weekend with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Rangers opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Adolis Garcia single scoring Marcus Semien
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Spencer Horwitz doubled scoring George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 
• A batter later, Ernie Clement doubled home Horwitz
• The Rangers tied it up in the top of the 3rd as Jonah Heim singled scoring Corey Seager and Robbie Grossman
• The Blue Jays retook the lead in the bottom of the 4th as Leo Jimenez singled scoring Davis Schneider
• The Rangers retook the lead in the top of the 5th as Garcia whacked a 2-run blast to the opposite field in right, just inside the right foul pole
• Yusei Kikuchi pitching line: 4.2IP 8H 5R (all earned) 2BB 5K 96 pitches (62 for strikes)
• Andrew Heaney pitching line: 5IP 7H 4R (all earned) 1BB 4K 83 pitches (56 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays tied it in the bottom of the 7th on a sac fly by Danny Jansen that scored Springer
• The Blue Jays walked it off in the bottom of the 9th as Clement singled scoring Steward Berroa
• Final score: Blue Jays 6 Rangers 5

My Take:

• Yusei Kikuchi battled through 4.2 innings in what is likely his last start in a Blue Jays uniform. He got into quite a jam in the opening inning giving up a run on 3 hits and a walk. He was fortunate to  limit the damage to one run. It was the odd-numbered innings where he ran into trouble. He sent the Rangers back to the dugout 1-2-3 in the 2nd and 4th innings. I can see him being used in a bullpen role for a contending team, especially with the last couple of starts where he struggled.
• The good bullpen showed up today, limiting the Rangers to a pair of hits and a walk while striking out 4 over 4.1 innings. Chad Green, who could be moving back to the Bronx, pitched 1.1 perfect innings and struck out 2 and was credited with the win/ Zach Pop also retired every batter he faced.
•  Ernie Clement (2RBI, including on game winning run), Spencer Horwitz (2RBI, run scored) and Danny Jansen (game-tying sac fly) drove the offence tonight
• Every Blue Jays starter except Kevin Kiermaier had a hit tonight
• The Blue Jays were 4-9 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to make it 2 straight wins and 9th series win of the season. Kevin Gausman starts against Rangers righty Michael Lorenzen

Game #103 Texas Rangers (51-52) @ Toronto Blue Jays (46-56) AppleTV+ Exclusive

 

Game #102 - Tampa Bay Rays (52-51) @ Toronto Blue Jays (46-56) - game recap

 

Spencer Horwitz reached base twice in a 13-0 shutout loss to the Rays

After a huge win on the strength of a 4-run 8th inning, the Ble Jays were looking to make it 2 straight wins and 11 series wins. Chris Bassitt got the start with Danny Jansen behind the plate. Daulton Varsho was in CF and Davis Schneider was in LF. Could the Blue Jays make it 2 straight wins and 11 series wins? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Rays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Brandon Lowe hammered a solo bomb to the 3rd deck in right
• The Rays added a run in the top of the 3rd as Isaac Paredes doubled scoring Richie Palacios
• A batter later, Lowe doubled home Paredes
• Chris Bassitt pitching line: 5IP 5H 3R (all earned) 1BB 6K 97 pitches (61 for strikes)
• The Rays added a pair of runs in the top of the 6th as Alex Jackson singled scoring Amed Rosario and Taylor Walls
• Two batters later, Paredes double scoring Jonny LeDuca and Jackson
• Taj Bradley pitching line: 6IP 2H 0R 1BB 7K 83 pitches (56 for strikes)
• The Rays added a run in the top of the 7th as Jackson doubled scoring Rosario
• Two batters later, Walls was forced in by a bases loaded walk to Paredes
• A batter later, Lowe singled scoring Jackson
• A batter after that, Palacios scored on a sac fly by Randy Azorena
• A batter later, Josh Lowe singled scoring Paredes
• The Rays added a run in the top of the 9th on a fielder's choice hit by Josh Lowe that scored Brandon Lowe 
• Final score: Rays 13 Blue Jays 0

My Take:

• Chris Bassitt battled through 5 innings. giving up 3 runs on 5 hits while walking 1 and striking out 6. He dealt with base runners in every inning and wasn't terribly efficient today. Nonetheless, he might have been the best Blue Jays pitcher today.
• The bullpen was an utter disaster, giving up 10 runs on 11 hits while walking 5 and striking out 2 over the last 4 innings. Every reliever gave up at least one run. The only reliever who should get a pass is Ernie Clement, who is not a pitcher by trade
• The offense was even worse. Five total base runners and just two in the final 3 innings. In fact, the only real chance to score was in the 1st inning when the Blue Jays got runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 out (it was the only time the Blue Jays got a runner past 1st base). Spencer Horwitz was the only Blue Jay to reach base more than once (double in the 1st inning and drew a walk in the 9th inning)
• The Blue Jays were 1-3 with runners in scoring position with no runs driven in
• Up next, the Blue Jays continue the home stand as they take on the Texas Rangers, who won 6 of 7 in the season series last season, outscoring the Blue Jays 51-20. Yusei Kikuchi will very likely be making his final start in a Blue Jays uniform as he is expected to be traded to a contender prior to next Tuesday's trade deadline. The Rangers will counter with lefty Andrew Heaney.

Game #102 Tampa Bay Rays (51-51) @ Toronto Blue Jays (46-55)

 

Game #101 Tampa Bay Rays (51-50) @ Toronto Blue Jays (45-55)