Game #162 Cincinnati Reds (75-86) v. Toronto Blue Jays (78-83)

Game #161 - Cincinnati Reds (75-86) @ Toronto Blue Jays (78-83) - game recap

 

Kazuma Okamoto scored the Blue Jays only run in a 5-1 loss to the Reds

After a comeback win yesterday thanks to a 4-run 7th inning rally, the Blue Jays were going for 2 straight wins and their 25th series win and 12th season series win of the season. Trey Yesavage got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Sean Keys at 1B. Josh Smith was in LF and Brett Bateman was in CF. Andres Gimenez was at SS and Ernie Clement got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 25th series win and 12th season series win of the season? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Reds opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as JJ Bleday hammered a solo bomb to dead center
• Trey Yesavage pitching line: 2IP 2H 1R (earned) 1BB 3K 30 pitches (19 for strikes)
• The Reds added a run in the top of the 3rd on a fielder's choice hit by Sal Stewart that scored Matt McLain. Andres Gimenez was charged with a fielding error on the play
• A batter later, Eugenio Suarez doubled scoring Carlos Jorge
• The Reds added a pair of runs in the top of the 5th as Hector Rodriguez tripled scoring Bleday and Tyler Stephenson
• Rhett Lowder pitching line: 5IP 3H 0R 2BB 2JK 79 pitches (50 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 7th on a ground out hit by Andres Gimenez that scored Kazuma Okamoto
• Final score: Reds 5 Blue Jays 1

My Take:

• Trey Yesavage fired 2 innings, giving up a run on 2 hits while walking 1 and striking out 3. He goes into the off-season looking to get back to full health after rushing back a wee bit from knee surgery. He'll be in the rotation whenever baseball returns after the expected lockout. Yesavage was 5-6 with a 3.69ERA over 20 starts in an abbreviated season after missing the first month with arm issues.
• The bullpen gave up 4 runs on 4 hits while walking 5 and striking out 9 over 7 innings. Brendan Little, who rebounded nicely after being demoted a couple of times this season, was the only reliever to retire every batter he faced.
• How the Blue Jays got their only run, on a fielder's choice on which the Reds conceded the run, epitimizes the season in a single play. Brett Bateman made an immediate impact upon returning to the lineup after hurting his hip on a diving catch on a wet field in Baltimore with 2 hits and a walk. Kazuma Okamoto, who is in the running for rookie of the year, scored the Blue Jays only run, Every other Blue Jay looks like they just want to start the off-season.
• Alejandro Kirk was 1-1 on ABS challenges and the Reds were 0-2 on ABS challenges
• The Blue Jays were 0-8 with runners in scoring position
• Up nex, the last game of the season where the Blue Jays will look to end the year on a winning note and notch their 25th series win and 12th season series win of the season. Max Scherzer starts against Reds lefty Brandon Williamson.

Game #161 Cincinnati Reds (74-86) v. Toronto Blue Jays (78-82)

 

- Game #160 - Cincinnati Reds (74-86) @ Toronto Blue Jays (78-82) - game recap

 

Kazuma Okamoto drove in 3 runs in a 6-5 comeback win over the Reds

After an off-day/travel day yesterday, the Blue Jays opened the final series of the 2026 regular season against the Cincinnati Reds. The Blue Jays won the season series lsst year, outscoring the Reds 29-23. CJ Van Eyk was optioned to the Spring training complex. Righty John Klein was optioned from AAA-ball. Jose Soriano got the start with Alejandro Kirk beihind the plate. Vlad was back in the lineup and at 1B after getting the 2nd game of Wednesday's double-header off. George Springer served as DH. Kazuma Okamoto was at the hot corner and Charles McAdoo was at 2B. Could the Blue Jays snap the 3-game skid and start the final weekend of the season on a winning note? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Alejandro Kirk doubled scoring Charles McAdoo
• Three batters later, Kazuma Okamoto singled scoring Kirk 
• The Reds got one back in the top of the 2nd as Eugenio Suarez hammered a solo bomb to the 2d deck in left
• The Reds took the lead in the top of the 3rd as Elly De La Cruz doubled scoring Oswaldo Cabrera and Carlos Jorge
• A batter later, Sal Stewart singled home De La Cruz
• Three batters, Stewart scored on a ground out hit by Hector Rodriguez
• Jose Soriano pitching line: 3IP 8H 5R (all earned) 0BB 2K 48 pitches (36 for strikes)
• Nick Lodolo pitching line: 5IP 7H 2R 2BB 3K 92 pitches (54 for strikes) 
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 7th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled scoring Andres Gimenez
• Two batters later, Okamoto doubled scoring Kirk and Guerrero Jr.
• A batter later, Nathan Lukes singled scoring George Springer
• Louis Varland threw a perfect 9th for his 35th save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 6 Reds 5

My Take:

• Jose Soriano battled through 3 innings, giving up 5 runs on 8 hits while walking none and striking out 2, Soriano retired the first 4 hitters he faced, then the wheels fell off starting with Eugenio Suuarez drilling one into the second deck in left. He was fortunate to escape the 2nd with just 1 run allowed. His luck didn't hold in the next inning with the Reds scoring 4 more times on 5 hits. Soriano was 3-2 with a 5.30 ERA over 10 starts. Definitely something to build on.
• The bullpen threw 6 scoreless innings, giving up 4 hits, walking 1 and striking out 9. Mason Fluharty was credited with the win. Louis Varland, who has pretty much been Mr. automatic as a closer, notched his 35th save of the season with relative ease. Brendan Cellucci, who pitched 2 innings and struck out 3, looks like he could be a good option as a lefty in next year's bullpen.
• The bats rallied in the 7th to send the fans home happy. Kazuma Okamoto continues to make his case to be the Blue Jays 3rd rookie of the year. Big Oak drove in 3 runs today. Alejandro Kirk is also finishing the season strong, driving in 1 and striking out twice.
• Alejandro Kirk was 1-1 on ABS challenges and the Reds were successful on their only ABS challenge
• The Blue Jays were 2-6 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to make it 2 straight wins and notch their 25th series win of the season and 12th season series win of the season. Trey Yesavage starts against Reds righty Rhett Lowder

Game #160 Cincinnati Reds (74-85) v. Toronto Blue Jays (77-82)