Game #62 Toronto Blue Jays (32-30) @ Boston Red Sox (39-26) - game recap

 

Steven Matz threw 5.2 strong innings in a 7-2 win over the Red Sox

After blowing a 4 run lead late and seeing the Red Sox walk them off last night, the Blue Jays were right back at it. Jordan Romano was feeling better and available to pitch after being unavailable yesterday due to a forearm strain. George Springer continues to run the bases and take batting practice with no word on the rehab assignment. Jeremy Beasley was optioned to AAA Trenton. AJ Cole was transferred to the 60 day IL. Lefty Taylor Saucedo was added to the roster. Steven Matz got the start. Reese McGuire was behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday (Rowdy Tellez was DH today). Joe Panik was at the hot corner today. Cavan Biggio got the start in RF. Could the Blue Jays snap the 2-game skid? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hammered a 2-run bomb to left-center; also scoring Bo Bichette
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 5th as Cavan Biggio smacked a solo blast to left-center
• Two batters later, Marcus Semien cranked a 2-run blast to left-center also scoring Reese McGuire 
• A batter later, Bo Bichette hammered a solo bomb to dead center 
• Nick Pivetta pitching line: 5IP 6H 6R (all earned) 2BB 6K 96 pitches (60 for strikes)
• The Red Sox got one back in the bottom of the 6th as Christian Vazquez singled scoring Rafael Devers
• Steven Matz pitching line: 5.2IP 4H 1R (earned) 2BB 8K 111 pitches (74 for strikes)
• The Red Sox got one back in the bottom of the 8th as Devers triples home JD Martinez
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 9th as Reese McGuire whacked a solo blast to right
• Final score: Blue Jays 7 Red Sox 2

My Take:

• Steven Matz had a strong start, giving up a run on 4 hits while walking 2 and striking out 8. He got a pick off of Rafael Devers in the 2nd inning. He retired seven in a row at one point. Manager Charlie Montoyo gave him every opportunity to work out of a jam in the 6th, but he could not get the 3rd out
• Bullpen was solid after blowing the game last night, though Rafael Dolis did give up a run on a walk and triple. Jordan Romano shook off a hard comebacker that caught him in the worst possible spot to get the final out 
• Vlad continued his MVP-caliber season, cracking his 20th HR and drawing a pair of walks, including his 40th of the season.
• Marcus Semien also kept his road hitting streak alive with a 2-run bomb in the 5th
• Every Blue Jays starter except Randal Grichuk and Teoscar Hernandez had at least one hit
• Up next, thbe Blue Jays continue a 4-game set with the Red Sox with a Suday matinee. They'll be looking for their second straight win over their AL East division rivals. Sunday will be a battle of the leftiies with Robbie Ray up against Red Sox southpaw Martin Perez

Game #61 Toronto Blue Jays (31-30) @ Boston Red Sox (39-25) - game recap

 

Vladimir Guerrero  Jr. bashed a 2-run hr in a losing effort as the Red Sox came from behind to walk off the Blue Jays 6-5

After dropping 2/3 to the White Sox, the Blue Jaus were looking for better luck against the Red Sox, who have won 3 of 5 meetings in the season series so far. Tonight, Ross Stripling got the start. After some early struggles, his last two starts have been better after an adjustment to his delivery. Cavan Biggio was activated after completing a rehab assignment and was at the hot corner and Santiago Espinal was optioned. Vlad got the half day off, serving as the DH with Rowdy Tellez at 1st base. Reese McGuire was behind the plate. Bo Bichette was back in the field after the half day off as DH yeterday. Could the Blue Jays start the weekend with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Teoscar Hernandez singled scoring Bo Bichette 
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 2nd as Bichette singled home Reese McGuire 
• Two batters later, Hernandez singled scoring Bichette 
• The Red Sox got one back in the bottom of the 3rd as Bobby Dalbec hammered a solo bomb to dead center 
• The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the top of the 6th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hammered a 2-run bomb to dead center also scoring Marcus Semien
• Garrett Richards pitching line: 5.1IP 11H 4R (all earned) 2BB 3K 101 pitches (66 for strikes)
• The Red Sox got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Hunter Renfroe singled scoring Alex Verdugo
• Two batters later, a bases loaded walk to Marwin Gonzalez forced in Hunter Renfroe
• A batter later, a wild pitch by Tyler Chatwood scored Christian Vazquez
• Ross Stripling pitching line: 5.2IP 5H 4R (all earned) 2BB 6K 83 pitches (56 for strikes)
• The Red Sox tied the game in the bottom of the 8th as Christian Arroyo belted a solo bomb over the green monster in left
• The Red Sox walked it off in the bottom of the 8th as Verdugo singled home Danny Santana
• Final score: Red Sox 6 Blue Jays 5

My Take:

• Ross Stripling must be frustrated. He held the Red Sox to a solo home run, a pair of walks and a single through 5 innings. He left the game in the 6th having allowed one more run and runners on the corners with 2 out. Tyler Chatwood proceeded to hit the first batter he faced, walk the next batter to force in a run then throw a wild pitch to shrink what was a four run lead to 1 run. 
• Other than Tim Mayza, the bullpen had a rough game. Carl Edwards Jr. gave up the game tying HR in the 8th and Rafael Dolis gave up a game winning single in the 9th
• Marcus Semien broke a Blue Jays record, hitting in his 23rd consecutive road game 
• Every Blue Jays starter had at least 1 hit tonight
• The Blue Jays were 4-15 with runners in scoring position. Drive a few more of those chances in and there might have been a different outcome tonight
• Up next, the Blue Jays look to snap the 2-game skid and even the weekend series. Steven Matz goes up against Red Sox righty Nick Pivetta

Game #60 Toronto Blue Jays (31-29) @ Chicago White Sox (38-24) - game recap

 

Joe Panik had a pair of hits and scored a run in a 5-2 loss to the White Sox

After splitting the first two games on late inning rallies, the White Sox and Blue Jays wrapped up their three game set. Hyun-Jin Ryu face his first start without personal catcher Danny Jansen, who is on the 10-day IL with a hamstring strain. Riley Adams got the start behind the plate. Bo Bichette got the half day off, serving as the DH with Joe Panik at 2B and Santiago Espinal at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays make it two in a row? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The White Sox opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Jose Abreu doubled scoring Yermin Mercedes
• A batter later, Yasmani Grandal smack a 2-run blast to right; also scoring Abreu
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 5th as Marcus Semien singled scoring Joe Panik
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 6th as Lourdes Gurriel Jr. singled home Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• Dallas Keuchel pitching line: 6IP 6H 2R (both earned) 2BB 8K 104 pitches (65 for strikes)
• Hyun-Jin Ryu pitching line: 6IP 5H 3R (all earned) 1BB 3K 95 pitches (57 for strikes)
• The White Sox added a run in the bottom of the 7th as Adam Eaton hammered a solo bomb to dead center 
• The White Sox added a run in the bottom of the 8th as Abreu doubled home Tim Anderson
• Liam Hendricks pitched a scoreless 9th for his 16th save of the season
• Final score: White Sox 5 Blue Jays 2

My Take:

• Hyun-Jin Ryu pitched 6 effective innings, giving up three runs on 5 hits while walking 1 and striking out 3. With his personal catcher Danny Jansen on the IL with a hamstring strain and unavailable, it fell to rookie Riley Adams to catch the veteran ace. Ryu endured a rough 1st inning, allowing 3 runs on 3 hits, capped off by a 2-run HR that barely cleared the wall in right. Ryu settled down after the HR, retiring the next seven batters, before giving up a leadoff walk in the 4th. He also retired the final seven batters he faced.
• Much like the first 2 games of the series, late runs were a factor. The Blue Jays needed the bullpen to hold the White Sox at three runs. Instead, Anthony Castro was taken yard by Adam Eaton in the 7th and Joel Payamps gave up an RBI double in the 8th
• On the offensive side of the ball, Dallas Keuchel cruised through the 1st 4 innings, before the Blue Jays were able to rally courtesy of a couple of infield singles and a base knock up the middle by Marcus Semien. The Blue Jays also manufactured a run in the 6th. Unfortunately, the White Sox bullpen held the Blue Jays to 2 hits over the final three innings and struck out 3
• Joe Panik and Santiago Espinal both had multi-hit days 
• The Blue Jays were 2-4 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays head to Boston for a 4-game series. Boston has won 3 of the first 5 meetings this season with the Blue Jays outscoring the Red Sox 26-22. Ross Stripling gets the start against Red Sox righty Garrett Richards

Game #59 Toronto Blue Jays (31-28) @ Chicago White Sox (37-24) - game recap

 

Bo Bichette had 3 hits and scored a run as the Blue Jays came from behind to defeat the White Sox 6-2

After a late-inning loss to the White Sox last night, the Blue Jays were looking to get back on track and snap the two-game skid. Alek Manoah made his third career start. Reese McGuire was behind the plate after the day off yesterday. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday. Riwdy Tellez served as DH tonight. Teoscar Hernandez was in RF and Randal Grichuk was in CF. Could the Blue Jays snap the 2-game losing streak? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The White Sox opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Yoan Moncada singled scoring Jake Lamb
• The Blue Jays tied the game in the top of the 2nd on a solo bomb by Randal Grichuk to left
• The White Sox took the lead in the bottom of the 5th as Nick Madrigal doubled homeLeury Garcia
• Alek Manoah pitching line: 5IP 4H 2R (1 earned) 2BB 4K 90 pitches (54 for strikes)
• Lance Lynn pitching line: 7IP 4H 1R (earned) 0BB 9K 95 pitches (64 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays tied the game in the bottom of the 8th on a bases loaded walk to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. that forced in Riley Adams
• A batter later, a fielder's choice/throwing error by Tim Anderson on a ball hit by Teoscar Hernandez scored Marcus Semien and Bo Bichette 
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 9th as Rowdy Tellez singled home Santiago Espinal
• Two batters later, Tellez scored on a botched double play attempt by the White Sox on a grounder hit by Semien
• Final score: Blue Jays 6 White Sox 2

My Take:

• Alek Manoah threw five decent innings in his 3rd career start, giving up 2 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits while walking 2 and striking out 4. He made a bad throw to Vlad the 2nd batter into the game. He got a huge defensive play from Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who gunned down Yasmani Grandal at the plate to end the 4th inning
• After struggling so mightily in recent outings, Tyler Chatwood finally pitched a clean inning and was credited with the win. The bullpen held the White Sox to just 2 walks over the final 4 innings and struck out 3
• It was a busy night for White Sox trainer Herm Schneider, who had to tend to Jose Abreu (inadvently hit by a bat that home plate umpire Erich Bacchus tried to move out of the way of a hard charging Jake lamb. Abreu stayed in the game), Nick Marigal (left after the 7th after pulling his hamstring trying to beat out an infield single) and Matt Foster (fell throwing a pitch. stayed in the game)
• The White Sox defense essentially threw this one away, literally and figuratively. Three errors in the last 2 innings led directly to 4 runs. Tim Anderson threw the ball into the Blue Jays dugout for two runs, Adam Eaton threw the ball way wide of catcher Grandal trying to gun down Espinal at the plate and Abreu missed a catch on a DP ball that would have ended the 9th
• A day after getting his first MLB hit, Riley Adams scored his first career run
• Up next, the rubber match of this series. It will be a battle of the left-handed aces with Hyun-Jin Ryu pitching against White Sox lefty Dallas Keuchel

Game #58 Toronto Blue Jays (30-28) @ Chicago White Sox (37-23) - game recap

 

Robbie Ray struck out 12 batters in a kosing effort as the White Sox rallied late to defeat the Blue Jays 6-1

After their first home stand in their new temporary home in Buffalo where they swept the Marlins and dropped two of three to the Astros, the Bue Jays opened a stretch of 13 straight and 12 of 15 on the road. Tonight, they began a three game set vs. the White Sox. In 2019, the White Sox took 4 of 7 in the season series, outscoring the Blue Jays 27-25. A big concern for the Blue Jays at the start of this road trip and stretch of games has to be the health of starting catcher Danny Jansen, who was removed from the game Sunday after injuring his hamstring sliding into 3rd base after an ill-advised attempt to advance to 3rd base on a grounder. He was thrown out easily and cost the Blue Jays a likely run. While it was a blatant baserunning error, the bigger concern is Alejandro Kirk is still rehabbing a hip flexor injury and the only catcher would be 25-year-old Riley Adams who would be making his MLB debut before the Blue Jays would ideally like. Robbie Ray got the start tonight. Jansen was placed on the 10-day IL and Adams made his MLB debut behind the plate tonight. Lourdes Gurriel Jr got the half day off, serving as DH with Teoscar Hernandez in LF, Jonathan Davis in CF and Randal Grichuk in RF. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing Sunday. Santiago Espinal was at the hot corner tonight. Could the Blue Jays start the road trip with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd on a sac fly by Jonathan Davis that scored Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
• Riley Adams got his first career hit in the 5th, doubling off the wall in CF. He was stranded at 3B
• Carlos Rodon pitching line: 5IP 6H 1R (earned) 2BB 8K 106 pitches (65 for pitches)
• The White Sox tied the game in the bottom of the 7th as Andrew Vaughn bashed a solo blast to right-center 
• Robbie Ray pitching line: 6.1IP 5H 1R (earned) 0BB 13K 102 pitches (72 for strikes)
• The White Sox retook the lead in the bottom of the 8th on a sac fly by Vaughn that scored Jose Abreu
• A batter later, Adam Eaton singled scoring Yermin Mercedes
• A batter after that, Leurya Garcia tripled home Eaton and Yasmani Grandal
• A batter later, Garcia scored on a sac fly by Tim Anderson 

My Take:

• It was a strong by Robbie Ray, who gave up a solo HR and scattered 4 other hits while walking none and striking out 13 over 6.1 innings.I really liked how Riley Adams handled Ray with pitch selection. It's just unfortunate the bullpen couldn't keep the score even long enough for the Blue Jays to score.
• Speaking of the bullpen, it was a shaky night indeed. The bullpen (Trent Thornton and Carl Edwards Jr.) coughed up 5 runs on 5 hits and a walk in the 8th inning. Rafael Dolis loaded the bases on 2 walks and a single in the 7th, but escaped the jam by striking out Yoan Moncada. The bullpe appears overworked and overmatched. They better dig deep because they won't see an off-day for 2 weeks
• Riley Adams made a good first impression, collecting his fitst big league hit in the 5th and working well with Robbie Ross
• Vlad (1 hit and 2 walks)  and Bo (2 hits and a walk) both hand strong nights at the plate. Bichette also made a fine play in the field leaping up to snare a line drive by Jose Abreu
• The Blue Jays were a dismal 1-12 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, Alek Manoah makes his third career start. He was knocked around a bit last start, but that's part of the learning process. The White Sox will counter with righty Lance Lynn