Game #21 Toronto Blue Jays (9-12) @ Oakland A's (11-11) - game recap

Marcus Stroman threw 8 strong innings as the Blue Jays knocked off the A's 5-1

Today's game marked a trio of reunions. First, Eric Sogard made his first appearance in an opposition uniform since signing with the Brewers as a free agent in 2016. Kendrys Morales will be facing his old teammates for the first time since being traded the day before the season began. Finally, Marco Estrada, who will not play in the series as he is on the IL with more back issue, signed as a free agent this past off-season.If rumors are to be believed, this might be the last series without no Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the lineup. However, the weather might delay his debut to later in the week as the team wants him playing two-three days in a row. Could the Blue Jays snap the seven game losing streak vs. the A's? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The A's opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Matt Chapman doubled, scoring Marcus Semien
• The Blue Jays tied the game in the top of the 2nd as Socrates Brito singled home Justin Smoak
• A batter later, Danny Jansen doubled home Teoscar Hernandez and Billy McKinney
• A batter later, Eric Sogard singled scoring Brito
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 4th as Brandon Drury smacked a line drive over the wall in left
• Aaron Brooks pitching line: 5IP 6H 5R (all earned) 2BB 5K 91 pitches (54 for strikes)
• Marcus Stroman pitching line: 8IP 6H 1R (earned) 2BB 6K 109 pitches (69 for strikes)
• Final score: Blue Jays 5 A's 1

My Take:

• Marcus Stroman was outstanding in what was his best start of the season. He allowed just 1 run on 6 hits and a pair of walks. Stroman had command of all his pitches early and stayed composed throughout. The key for Stroman is keeping his emotions in check, because when he gets too hyped up, he tends to overthrow and lose the strike zone. Also, look what happened last start. Stroman was mad when Lourdes Gurriel Jr. threw the ball away and he ended up throwing an extra 15 pitches. The next inning, he immediately threw the ball away himself. Hopefully we'll see more of tonight's Marcus Stroman
• Socrates Brito finally got a huge elephant off his back, getting his first hit of the season and driving in a run in the process
• The umps really blew a call in the top of the 6th. McKinney smack a double down the line and was called out trying to stretch the double into a triple. Replays obviously showed that the tag was late as Chapman tagged him on the chest. McKinney did a great job maintaining contact with the bag despite having his momentum spin him around.
• Up next, the first of two weekend matinees as Matt Shoemaker goes for his 4th win of the season. Mike Fiers will counter for the A's.

#21 - Toronto Blue Jays (8-12) at Oakland Athletics (11-10)

Friday, April 19, 2019 | 10:07 pm ET

Oakland Coliseum | Oakland, CA

Marcus Gnomeman (0-3, 1.99, 1.32) vs. Aaron Brooks (2-1, 4.24, 1.12)

PREAMBLE:

The Blue Jays open a three-game series in Oakland, coming in after enjoying a pleasant flight after winning three out of four against the then-leaders of the AL Central, Minnesota.

Which Marcus Stroman will show up in today's game?  The one who is usually rather peppy out there on the field or the super-slow, disinterested-looking one that was on the mound in his most recent start?

His opponent on the mound, Aaron Brooks, hasn't had much success against the Jays in the past, to say the least.  In two starts in 2014 and 2015, he was nuked right off the mound to the tune of a 57.86 ERA.  That's right.  He was pulled in the first and second innings of these two starts, surrendering a total of 15 earned runs in 2.1 innings.  Then again, the only guy on the current Jays roster who has ever faced him is Justin Smoak, who had one hitless at-bat.

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.

#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.