Game #53 Pittsburgh Pirates (26-26) v. Toronto Blue Jays (25-27)

 

Game #52 - Pittsburgh Pirates (26-26) @ Toronto Blue Jays (25-27) - game recap

 

Patrick Corbin threw 6 solid innings in a 5-2 viictory over the Pirates

After a win thanks to a strong start by Kevin Gausman and 2 RBI efforts from George Springer and Yohendrick Pinago, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 4 games and notch their 7th series win of the season. Patrick Corbin got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. Ernie Clement was aat the hot corner and Lenyn Sosa was at 2B. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 4 games and notch their 7th series win of the season? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as George Springer led off with a solo bomb to the second deck in left
• The Pirates tied it in the bottom of the 6th as Marcell Ozuna doubled scoring Bryan Reynolds
• The Blue Jays retiook the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Jesus Sanchez doubled scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• A batter later, Ernie Clement singled scoring Ernie Clement
• A batter after that, Sanchez scored on a ground out hit by Andres Gimenez
• Paul Skenes pitching line: 5IP 9H 4R (all earned) 1BB 2K 98 pitches (62 for strikes)
• Patrick Corbin pitching line: 6IP 5H 1R (earned) 0BB 7K 84 pitches (57 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 7th as Tyler Heinema whacked a solo blast to right
• The Pirates got one back on a ground out hit by Ozuna that scored Konnor Griffin
• Jeff hoffman threw a perfect 9th for his 5th save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 5 Pirates 2

My Take:

• Patrick Corbin fired 6 solid innings, giving up a run on 5 hits while walking none and striking out 7. Corbin retired 13 in a row at one point. He was a very smart signing when the Blue Jays ran into injury trouble in the rotation and Eric Lauer could not find his form from 2025. The veteran lefty has kept the Blue Jays in games and given the offence a chance to come through.
• The bullpen gave up a run on 3 walks while striking out 5 over the last 3 innings. Yariel Rodriguez is struggling to find his form the last couple outings. Jeff Hoffman has found his and has looked fantastic in locking up 2 straight saves. He might get his closer role back soon.
• The offence is slowlly heating up at the right time. George Springer got things started with his 65th career leadoff home run, putting him 16 behind the late legendary Rickey Henderson, who had 81 career leadoff home runs. The Blue Jays had a three run rally in the 6th inning with Jesus Sanchez scoring a run and driving in a run and Tyler Heineman went deep in the 8th for a crucial insurance run. Yohendrick Pinago is doing everything he can to force management to make a tough choice in the coming days when Nathan Lukes and Addison Barger return from the IL. Lukes should be ready by the next series and Barger shouldn't be far behind him.
• The Pirates successfull overturned their only ABS challenge and Tyler Heineman was 1-1 on ABS challenges
• The Blue Jays were 2-9 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 4 games and complete their 2nd series sweep of the season. Dylan Cease starts against Pirates righty Mitch Keller

Game #52 Pittsburgh Pirates (26-25) v. Toronto Blue Jays (24-27)

 

Game #51 - Pittsburgh Pirates (26-25) @ Toronto Blue Jays (24-27) - game recap

 

Ace Kevin Gausman threw 6.2 strong innings in a 6-2 comeback win over the Pirates

After eking out win yesterday thanks to some fine work from the bullpen to escape NY with a series split, the Blue Jays opened a week long home stand against the Pirates, who won the seson series last year, outscoring the Blue Jays with both teams scoring 10 runs. Ace Kevin Gausman got the start with Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate. Yohendrick Pinago was in LF and Jesus Sa nchez was in RF. Andres Gimenez was back at SS with Ernie Clement getting the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 3 games? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Pirates opened the scoring in the top of the 1st on a sac fly by Spencer Horwitz that scored Brandon Lowe
• The Blue Jays tied it in the bottom of the 3rd on a throwing error by Horwitz on a fielder's choice hit by Daulton Varsho that scored George Springer
• Two batters later, Yohendrick Pinago doubled scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr and Varsho
• Bubba Chandler pitching line: 5IP 2H 3R (1 earned) 2BB 11K 99 pitches (63 for strikes)
• Kevin Gausman pitching line: 6.2IP 6H 1R (earned) 1BB 8K 94 pitches (65 for strikes)
• The Pirates got one back in the top of the 8th on a ground out hit by Bryan Reynolds that scored Lowe
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom half of the inning as Jesus Sanchez doubled scoring Ernie Clement\
• Three batters later, Myles Straw and Brandon Valenzuela scored on a ground-rule double by George Springer
• Louis Varland pithed 2 perfect innings for his 7th save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 6 Pirates 2

My Take:

• Kevin Gausman fired 6.2 strong shutout innings. This was vintage Kevin Gausman. The veteran ace racked up thr strikes while also needing an efficient 94 pitches to get 20 outs. He'll be relied on to go deep in games with the Blue Jays expected to be extremely cautious with Trey Yesavage and Shane Bieber. Max Scherzer also can't be relied on to go deep in games either due to age and injury.
• The bullpen gave up a run on a hit while walking 1 and striking out 3. Louis Varland did a fantastic job bailing out Mason Fluharty.
• The offense had a good night. George Springer drove in a pair on a ground rule double and Yohendrick Pinago drove in a pair. There's no way Pinago should be optioned over Davis Schneider
• The Pirates were 0-2 on ABS challnges and Brandon Valenzuela was 1-1 on ABS challenges
• The Blue Jays were 3-14 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the winning streak to 4 games and to notch their 7th series win of the season. Patrick Corbin starts against Pirates ace and righty Paul Skenes

Game #51 Pittsburgh Pirates (26-24) v. Toronto Blue Jays (23-27)