Game #151 - Detroit Tigers (71-79) @ Toronto Blue Jays (75-76) - game recap

 

Kazuma Okamoto drilled a 3-run HR in a losing effort as the Tigers came from behind to edge the Blue Jays 6-5

After a huge series win over Baltimore yesterday after a nice effort from the offense, including (finally) Vlad's first home run at the Roger's Centre in 2026 and a 4-RBI effort from George Springer, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 3 games as they welcomed the Tigers to town. The Blue jays took the series in Detroit back in mid-May, outscoring the Tigers 8-65. Rudy Martin Jr. was placed on the 10-day IL with a hamstring strain and Ricky Tiedemann was optioned to AAA-ball. Davis Schneider and lefty Brendan Cellucci were recalled from AAA-ball in their place. Jose Soriano got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Josh Smith was in LF, Brett Bateman was in CF and Nathan Lukes was in RF. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 3 games? Here is tonight's game recap. 

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Alejandro Kirk singled scoring Brett Bateman 
• A batter later, George Springer scored on a wild pitch by Troy Melton
• Troy Melton pitching line: 2.2IP 5H 2R (both earned) 4BB 3K 76 pitches (45 for strikes)
• The Tigers got one back in the top of the 7th as Dillon Dingler singled scoring Gleyber Torres 
• Two batters later, Max Clark doubled scoring Dingler and Riley Greene
• A batter later, Spencer Torkelson doubled home Clark
• Jose Soriano pitching line: 6.1IP 5H 4R (all earned) 1BB 5K 90 pitches (57 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Kazuma Okamoto hammered a 3-run bomb to the second deck in left; also scoring Springer and Kirk
• The Tigers tied it in the top of the 8th as Brett Callahan singled scoring Kevin McGonigle
• The Tigers took the lead in the top of the 9th on a throwing error by Louis Varland on a ball hit by Hao-Yu Ldd that scored Zach McKinstry
• Kenley Jansen threw a scoreless 8th for his 20th save of the season
• Final score: Tigers 6 Blue Jays 5

My Take:

• Jose Soriano was excellent through 6 innings, carrying a no hitter into in the 7th inning and was perfect through 5 until walking a batter with one out in the 6th. Unfortunately, the Tigers got to him in the 7th, scoring 4 runs on 5 hits. Sometimes when a pitcher has to pitch from the stretch after spending the whole game in the windup, it can wreck the momentum the pitcher has. Unfortunate end to an otherwise excellent start from Soriano
• The bullpen gave up 2 runs on 4 hits while walking 1 and striking out 2 over the last 2.2 innings. Should the have pulled Soriano a batter or two early and maybe retained the lead or only been down a run instead of 2? Perhaps but the bullpen mighe not have been ready until John Schneider popped out of the dugout. Also, I can see why thet wanted to give Soriano a chance to finish the inning that ended up snowballing on him. Tonight's result also is an argument for tagging the blown save onto the pitcher resposible for the base runner that scored the tyung run, in ths case lefty Joe Mantiply. Instead Louis Varland, who should receive some Cy Young votes, was tagged for his second blown save of the season and the loss.
• What a massive home run from Kazuma Okamoto to give the Blue Jays the lead right back after the bullpen squandered the lead Alejandro Kirk (RBI single) and George Springer (scored on a wild pitch). However, if the Blue Jays  do miss the playoffs, tonight's game will be exhibit A as to why it happened. Too many base runners left stranded against a pitcher they had on the ropes. Second inning, they loaded the bases wth 2 outs and Vlad grounded out to end that rally. Next inning, runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs and no one scored again. Not good enough.
• The Blue Jays were a perfect 3-3 on ABS challenges and the Tigers were 1-2 on ABS challenges
• The Blue Jays were 2-11 with runners in scoring position
• In terms of the WC race, the Blue Jays remain a game behind the Guardians for the 3rd WC spot. If the Tigers were to sweep the series and the Guardians are swept by the White Sox, they would be just 2.5 games back of the 3rd WC spot and that could happen with a bullpen game scheduled for tomorrow and the weakest starter, Max Scherzer starting Wednesday. The idle Rangers gained a half game and are just 1.5 games back of the 3rd WC spot. The Orioles (won today) are 3 games hack of the 3rd WC spot 
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to even the series and avoid their 23rd series loss of the season. It is bullpen day again with Spencer Miles, Spencer Arrighetti or Brayden Fisher likely serving as the opener. The Tigers will counter with righty Drew Anderson

Game #151 Detroit Tigers (70-79) v. Toronto Blue Jays (75-75)

 

Game #150 - Baltimore Orioles (72-78) @ Toronto Blue Jays (75-75) - game recap

 

-

George Spriinger drove in 4 runs, including a solo HR, in an 8-1 rout over the Orioles

After a strong tesm effort to even the series, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 25th series win of the season. Ace Dylan Cease got the start with Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate. Charles McAdoo was in LF, Myles Straw was in CF and Brett Bateman was in RF. Ernie Clement got the start at 2B. Could the Bue Jays extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 25th series win of the season? Here is today's game recap, 

 Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Andres Gimenez doubled scoring Charles McAdoo
• The Orioles tied it in the top of the 5th as Pete Alonso singled scoring Dylan Beavers
• The Blue Jays retook the lrad in the bottom half of the inning as George Springer whacked a solo blast to the opposite field in right-center
• A batter later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. whacked a solo blast to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen
• A batter after that, Kazuma Okamoto hammered a solo bomb to the second deck in left
• Dylan Cease pitching line: 5IP 4H 1R (earned) 5BB 9K 94 pitches (60 for strikes)
• Trevor Rogers pitching line: 6IP 7H 4R (all earned) 1BB 5K 95 pitches (65 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 8th on a bases loaded walk to Brandon Valenzuela that forced in Nathan Lukes
• A batter later, Springer doubled scoring Valenzuela, Myles Straw and Bateman\
• Final score: Blue Jays 8 Orioles 1

My Take:

• Dylan Cease battled throgh 5 innings, giving up a run on 4 hits while walking 5 and striking out 9. He's clearly showing signs of fatigue at the end of a long season where threw a ton of pitches - tossing over a hundred pitches in several of his starts. He's  a good enough pitcher that he was able to escape a real mess in the first inning after he loaded the bases with none out by striking out the side. Cease retired 8 in a row at one point. At this point, if the Blue Jays are able to secure the 3rd wild card spot by early in the final week of the season, I would skip his final scheduled start of the season so he's full strength for game 1 of the wild card series
• The bullpen threw 4 scoreless innings, giving up 5 hits, walking 1 and striking out 6. Ricky Tiedemann will definitely have a role on the Blue Jays pitching staff. It will likely be in the bullpen after all the injury woes and the Blue Jays not wanting to tax his arm as a startng pitcher. Brayden Fisher retired every batter he faced.
• It finally happened! Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has a home run at home in 2026. After missing a HR by a couple of feet, Vlad worked the count to 3-2 and golfed the next pitch into the Blue Jays bullpen. George Springer also had a great day at the plate, starting the 5th inning off with his own long ball and driving in 3 crucial runs in the 8th with a bases clearing double to allow the Blue Jays to avoid having to use closer Louis Varland, who has also pitched a ton this season. Brett Bateman drew a bases loaded walk in the 8th and scored on Springer's double. The bats are starting to get it done.
• Brandon Valenzuela was a perfect 3-3 on ABS challenges and Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo was 1-1 on ABS challenges
• The Blue Jays were 2-8 with runners in scoring position
• In terms of the WC race, the Blue Jays remain a game back of the Guardians, who also won today, for the 3rd WC spot. The Rangers (leading their game) are 2.5 games back of the 3rd WC spot for the moment but will gain a half game if they hold on and win or drop a half game with a loss. The Orioles are not 4 games back.
• Up next, the Blue Jays continue the homestand against the Tigers. The Blue Jays won the series in Detroit back in mid-May, outscoring the Tigers 8-5. Jose Soriano starts against Tigers righty Troy Melton

Game #150 Baltimore Orioles (72-77) v. Toronto Blue Jays (74-75)

 

Game #149 - Baltimore Orioles (72-77) @ Toronto Blue Jays (74-75) - game recap

 

Alejandro Kirk drove in 3 runs, including a 2-run HR in a 7-3 win over the Orioles

After a loss due to a bad start from Max Scherzer the Blue Jays were looking to snap the 2 game skid and avoid their 19th series loss of the season. On another bullpen day, Spencer Miles got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Rudy Martin Jr. was in LF. Josh Smith got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays snap the 2 game skid and avoid their 19th series loss of the season? Here is today's game recap. 

Game Highlights:

• The Blue jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled scoring Brett Bateman 
• A batter later, Alejandro Kirk singled home Guerrero Jr
• Spencer Miles pitching line: 2IP 1H 0R 2BB 5K 44 pitches (30 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 3rd as Bateman belted a solo jack to right-center 
• Three batters later, Kirk smacked a 2-run blast to left-center; also scoring George Springer
• Kyle Bradish pitching line: 3IP 8H 5R (all earned) 2BB 2K 56 pitches (37 for strikes)
• The Orioles got one back in the top of the 4th on a throwing error by Kazuma Okamoto on a ball hit by Christian Encarnacion-Strand that scored Gunnar Henderson
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 6th as Andres Gimenez doubled scoring Josh Smith
• The Orioles got one back in the top the 7th as Pete Alonso drilled a 2-run bomb off the foul pole in left; also scoring Yohel Pozo
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 7th on a sac fly by Ernie Clement that scored Guerrero Jr.
• Final score: Blue Jays 7 Orioles 3

My Take:

• For the umpteenth time this season, it was a bullpen day for the Blue Jays with Spencer Miles serving as the opener. Miles pitched the first 2 innings, giving up a hit, walking 2 and striking out 5. Next season (or when baseball returns after the expected lengthy lockout/strike over a salary cap) Miles should be stretched out to be a starter. The Blue Jays need to have at least 6 or 7 pitchers with the capability to handle 80-100 pitches. Even if they get a spot start every 2-3 weeks where a regular is skipped, it'll allow the Blue Jays to have a fall back in case of injury or poor performance. It's not sustainable to have a bullpen day every 5 days or twice, as is the case now with Trey Yesavage and Shane Bieber both on the IL.
• The rest of the bullpen gave up 3 runs on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6 over the last 7 innings. Joe Mantiply, Tyler Rogers and Louis Varland retired every batter they faced. Spencer Arrightetti was credited with the win.
• The offense jumped all over Orioles starter Kyle Bradish with Alejandro Kirk knocking in 3 runs (including a 2-run HR, Vlad and Brett Bateman both scoring twice and driving in a run (Bateman also went deep off Bradish), and Ernie Clement and Andres Gimenez each knocking in a run.
• Every Blue Jays starter reached base at least once and all but Rudy Martin Jr. had a hit
• The Orioles were 2-1 on ABS challenges and Alejandro Kirk was 1-1 on ABS challenges
• The Blue Jays were 3-7 with runners in scoring position
• In terms of the wild card race, the Blue Jays are back within a game of the Guardians of the 3rd WC spot after the Guardians lost today. The Rangers, who play later tonight in Arizona, are 2.5 games back of the Guardians for the 3rd WC spot, but will be 2 games back if they win or 3 games back if they lose. The Orioles are 3 games back of the 3rd WC spot and the Twins, who beat the Guardians, are  4.5 games back of the 3rd WC spot. The only other teams with an outside chance of a WC berth are the Tigers (won today) and the Mariners (play the A's later tonight) who are both 5.5 games back of the 3rd WC spot.
• Up next, the Blue Jays look to extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 25th series win of the season. Ace Dylan Cease starts against Orioles lefty Trevor Rogers