Game #20 Toronto Blue Jays (8-12) @ Minnesota Twins (9-7) - game recap

Eric Sogard hit a bases-clearing double in the top of the 4th as the Blue Jays knocked off the Twins 

7-4

And so ends the first meeting of the year between the Twins and Blue Jays. After taking the first two of the series, the Blue Jays dropped yesterday's game, and were looking to secure the series win of the season. Ryan Tepera was activated from the disabled list and Javy Guerra was DFA'd to make room.The same lineup as yesterday took the field, except Justin Smoak DH'd and Rowdy Tellez was at 1st base. Clay Buchholz got his second start of the season, and was looking to build on a strong Blue Jays debut five days ago. Could the Blue Jays win their first series of the season? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Randal Grichuk launched a solo shot to left-center
• The Twins tied the game in the bottom of the 2nd as Eddie Rosario crushed a no-doubter to right
• Four batters later, Jonathan Schoop singled scoring Marwin Gonzalez
• A batter later, William Astudillo scored on a fielder's choice hit by Byron Buxton
• The Blue Jays tied things up in the top of the 4th as Justin Smoak smoked a 2-run shot to right; also scoring Grichuk
• Six batters later, Eric Sogard doubled home Rowdy Tellez, Brandon Drury, and Billy McKinney
• Michael Pineda pitching line: 3.2IP 7H 6R (all earned) 1BB 1K 75 pitches (48 for strikes)
• Clay Buchholz pitching line: 4.2IP 6H 3R (all earned) 3BB 4K 84 pitches (53 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 8th as Teoscar Hernandez lined one over the left field wall
• The Twins got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Rosario hit a moon shot into the upper deck in right-center
• Ken Giles pitched a scoreless 9th for his 5th save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 7 Twins 4

My Take:

• This might have been the best game offensively for the Blue Jays. They did a great job making contact, striking out just 6 times today. The team was 2-5 with RISP.  Eric Sogard and Justin Smoak combined for 5 of the RBI's and 4 of the hits. Freddy Galvis was the only Blue Jay not to reach base, but he made a great diving catch.
• Clay Buchholz battled through 5.2 innings, giving up 3 runs on six hits, while walking three and striking out four. As expected, Buchholz was on a limited pitch count as he builds his way back up to ~100 pitch load. It's unfortunate that Buchholz did not qualify for the win because he was unable to complete 5 innings. He pitched well enough to win.
• Ryan Tepera had a solid inning of work in his return from the disabled list striking out 1.
• Ken Giles still appears to be battling something, whether it's a minor injury or illness. 
• Up next, the Blue Jays head to Oakland to take on the A's. Last season, Oakland swept the season series, outscoring the Blue Jays 51-18 in the seven games in 2018. The last time the Blue Jays beat Oakland was July 27th, 2017 Marco Estrada will not pitch this weekend as he is having more back issues and is on the 10-day IL. However, the Blue Jays will face Kendrys Morales, who was traded to the A's the day before opening day this season. Marcus Stroman makes his 4th start of the season in Friday's opener and will be looking for hist 1st win of the season. Stroman has pitched well enough to win, but he has had next to no run support. The A's will counter with righty Aaron Brooks, who only Justin Smoak has faced (he is 0-1 vs. Brooks.)

#20 - Toronto Blue Jays (7-12) at Minnesota Twins (9-6)

A good ol' Canadian boy.

Thursday, April 18, 2019 | 1:10 pm ET

Target Field, Minneapolis, MN

Clay Buchholz (0-0, 1.50, 1.00) vs. Michael Pineda (2-0, 3.00, 1.00)

PREAMBLE:

So, that's what a loss looks like.  The Toronto Blue Jays look to secure a series win in today's getaway day matinee -- it's an early start with a 12:10 CT game time.

Former grease-bucket turned wise old sage (funny how changing clubhouses change perceptions) Clay Buchholz aims to pick up from where he left off in a good first start and build a resume as useful trade bait.  He'll face Michael Pineda who is finally healthy after missing all of 2018.

Game #19 Toronto Blue Jays (7-12) @ Minnesota Twins (9-6) - game recap

Freddy Galvis scored the Blue Jays only run in a 4-1 defeat to the Twins

First rain delay of the season. This one was delayed an hour before Mother Nature decided to let the game go on. Eric Sogard was right back at the top of the order after a strong debut yesterday. Randal Grichuk mercifully replaced Socrates Brito in CF, and Billy McKinney got the start in right. Trent Thornton was looking for a bounce-back start after getting knocked around for three innings five days ago. Could the Blue Jays get their first series win of the season? Here is today's game recap.

#19 - Toronto Blue Jays (7-11) vs. Minnesota Twins (8-6)

Bert Blyleven

Wednesday, April 17, 2019 | 7:40 pm (stay tuned, rain delay likely)

Target Field | Minneapolis, MN

Trent Thornton (0-1, 4.61, 1.24) vs. Jake Odorizzi (0-2, 6.35, 1.15)

PREAMBLE: 

The Toronto Blue Jays have won the first two games of this four-game series and they look to secure their first series win of the season in tonight's third game.  The first two games have been rather exciting with late comebacks coming after Teoscar base-running goofs.

Will history repeat itself with another Teoscar brain freeze and a corresponding big hit?  Stay tuned!

Trent Thornton looks to get back on the right track as he faces off against Jake Odorizzi on the mound.

Game #18 Toronto Blue Jays (7-11) @ Minnesota Twins (8-6) - game recap

Eric Sogard was 3-5 with a pair of runs scored in his Blue Jays debut as the Blue Jays held on to edge the Twins 6-5

A day after a thrilling come from behind victory that saw Joe Biagini miraculously come up clutch in the 9th, the Blue Jays turned to Aaron Sanchez to continue his strong start to the season. What kind of offensive support would he get? Top of the lineup was Eric Sogard, two years removed from his last decent season. The 8th man in the lineup, Socrates Brito, has yet to record a hit this season and may yet challenge Chris Davis's hitless streak before long. Defensively, things look ok, as long as Teoscar Hernandez doesn't get the yips in LF and Danny Jansen can keep the wild pitches in front of him. Could the Blue Jays pull another rabbit out of the proverbial hat? Here is tonight's game recap.