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

Game #83 - Texas Rangers (40-42) @ Toronto Blue Jays (39-43)

 

Best stuff in the organization...

This team is maddening as all hell. 

From .500 to a four game losing streak.

I've chilled on the .500 thing....let's get out of 1st without giving up 3 or more runs....baby steps.

As you can see they've called up Dab's flavour of the second: Sean Keys.

Pinango is back and whipping boy Sanchez is on the IL.

Hot Dog Jr. has been optioned back to AAA.

And now some sad news to report...

If you've read the game re-cap thread you'll see that beloved poster IAO has left us permanently and will never....hhmmm??....what's that?

FFS..

And since we've never determined IAO's gender conclusively...

Lastly, I'll leave you with some solid advice for the Jays...

Game #82 - Texas Rangerss (40-42) @ Toronto Blue Jays (39-43) - game recap

 

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a 2-run double in a 5-4 loss to the Rangers

After a loss due to an ugly start from ace Kevin Gausman, the Blue Jays were looking to even the series and snap the 3-game skid. Lefty Adam Macko was recalled from AAA-ball and righty Simeon Woods Richardson was DFA'd. Patrck Corbin got the start with Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate. Jesus Sanchez was in LF and Daulton Varsho was in CF. Andres Gimenez was at SS and Ernie Clement got the start at 2B.

Game Highlights:

• The Rangers opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Brandon Nimmo doubled scoring Wyatt Langford
• Two batters later, Justin Foscue singled scoring Josh Jung
• A batter later, Ezequiel Duran singled home Nimmo
• The Rangers added a pair of runs in the top of the 3rd as Fosque hammered a 2-run bomb to the 3rd deck in right; also scoring Jake Burger
• Patrick Corbin pitching line: 4.1IP 7H 5R (all earned) 1BB 5K 94 pitches (57 for strikes)
• Nathan Eovaldi pitching line: 7IP 5H 0R 1BB 9K 92 pitches (59 for strikes)
• The Blue jays got a pair back in the bottom of the 9th as Vladimir Gurrero Jr. doubled scoring Andres Gimenez and George Springe 
• A batter later, Kazuma Okamoto hammered a 2-run bomb to dead center; also snoring Guerrero Jr
• Jacob Latz threw a scoreless 9th for his 16th save of the season
• Final score: Rangers 5 Blue Jays 4

My Take:

• Patrick Corbin battled through 4.1 innings, giving up 5 runs on 7 hits while walking 1 and striking out 5. Corbin put the Blue Jays behind instantly, giving up 3 runs on 4 hits and a hit batter in the opening inning. Justin Fosque took him deep for 2 more runs against in the 3rd inning. He is likely the move when Max Scherzer returns. Perhaps they need to use him as a bulk reliever like they did with Eric Lauer.
• The bullpen threw 4.2 scoreless innings, giving up 2 hits, walking 2 and striking out 5. None of the relievers retired every batter they faced. You have to wonder if the Blue Jays consider swapping Corbin and Spencer Miles in 5 days. Corbin is simply not consistently getting batters out and Miles has done well as a fifth starter/platoon guy. The team needs to do something with the rotation being so inconsistent, other than Dylan Cease.
• For the second straight night, a late game rally by the offense fell short a run. Vlad (2-run double) and Kazuma Okamoto (2-run HR) did the damage. I can see hitting coach David Popkins being a scapegoat if the Blue Jays miss the playoffs
• The Rangers were 1-2 on ABS challenges and Blue Jays catcher Brandon Valenzuela was unsuccessful on both ABS challenges he attempted
• The Blue Jays were 2-7 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 4-game skid and avoid losing their 12th series of the season. Dylan Cease starts against Rangers righty Cal Quantrill