Game #130 Toronto Blue Jays (52-78) @ LA Dodgers (85-44) - game recap

Jacob Waguespack threw 7 shutout innings in a losing effort as the LA Dodgers came from behind in the 9th to edge the Blue Jays 3-2

As expected, the Blue Jays lost the first two games of this series to the juggernaut LA Dodgers, who may be the best all-around team in the majors. The first game wasn't close (a 19-3 drubbing that saw all the big bats in the Dodgers lineup come up big. Russell Martin even played the final 2 innings at 3B and got 2AB. Richard Urena pitched the 8th for the Blue Jays. The second game was much closer and included a blown save by Kenley Jansen off an unlikely HR by Rowdy Tellez. Tonight, The Blue Jays turned to Jacob Waguespack to try and avoid the series sweep and halt the 4-game losing streak. Vlad was back in the starting lineup after most of the day off yesterday, except for 2AB's and 1 2 innings in the field. Ken Giles was placed on paternity leave with  Danny Jansen was also back behind the plate after a complete day off yesterday. Rowdy Tellez got his second straight start at 1B, presumably as a reward for the last gasp heroics to briefly delay the loss. Could the Blue Jays escape LA with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Randal Grichuk scored on a ground out by Derek Fisher
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 6th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. whacked a solo blast to left-center
• Kenta Maeda pitching line: 6IP 4H 2R (both earned) 1BB 9K 85 pitches (57 for strikes)
• Jacob Waguespack pitching line 7IP 1H 0R 1BB 5K 95 pitches (61 for strikes)
• The Dodgers tied the game in the bottom of the 9th as Cory Seagar doubled home Cody Bellinger and Max Muncy
• A batter later, Kike Hernandez singled scoring Seagar
• Final score: Dodgers 3 Blue Jays 2

My Take:

• Jacob Waguespack was excellent tonight firing 7 shutout innings, allowing just one hit and walking 1 and hitting a batter. If this game was being played in the American League, Waguespack might have been sent out for the top of the 8th, but his spot was due up first and Brandon Drury pinch hit for him. Waguespack gave the Blue Jays exactly what they needed after two nights when the bullpen was used to the max. Waguespack retired the final 14 batters he faced.
• The Dodgers really are like the Yankees. They toy with you to give you some semblance of hope of victory and then do what they did in the 9th inning, coming back from a 2 run defucit in a matter of three pitches. The LA Dodgers are going to be uber tough to beat 4 times in a series.
• Vlad had a strong day at the plate, going 3-4, including a solo HR for 3 of the 5 hits the Blue Jays had tonight
• Randal Grichuk and Billy McKinney had the other 2 Blue Jays hits. Waguespack also drew a 4-pitch walk in his second AB
• Up next, the Blue Jays head to Seattle looking to snap the 5 game losing streak as Trent Thornton pitches against Mariners lefty Justus Sheffield. It also starts the first day of player's weekend where everyone wears their nicknames on the backs of their jerseys.

Game #130 - Toronto Blue Jays (52-77) @ Los Angeles Dodgers (84-44)

Thu, Aug 22 • 10:10 PM EDT

At Dodger Stadium

Jacob Waguespack vs Kenta Maeda

Game #129 Toronto Blue Jays (52-77) @ LA Dodgers (84-44) - game recap

Max Muncy hit a walk-off HR in the bottom of the 10th as the Dodgers edged the Blue Jays 2-1

After a thorough beat down against one of the premier pitchers and top starter of this decade (hat tip to Tom Jackson on the leg work) Clayton Kershaw and the juggernaut offence that features Cody Bellinger, who is neck and neck with Christian Yelich for the NL MVP this season, and Joc Pederson, who faced off against Vlad in the HR derby this year in an epic round that featured a COMBINED 79 HR between two of the better young guns in the game that Vlad narrowly won when he hit 2 in 3 tries in the second OT round. Tonight, the Dodgers sent one of the game's best young righties in Walker Buehler to the mound. Buehler is 10-3 on the season with a 3.31 ERA. The Blue Jays had their second straight bullpen day with Wilmer Font serving as the opener, with Sammy G expected to pitch next. A few lineup changes for tonight. Vlad was given the day off after facing Kershaw yesterday (perhaps playing him yesterday wasn't wise, but then again I don't trust the HPD/Training staff with a paper cut). Billy McKinney also got the start in LF, in place of Derek Fisher, who homered off Kershaw last night. Rowdy Tellez got the start at 1B (it will be interesting to see in the final 6 weeks of the season how Montoyo splits the starts at 1B. Personally, I think Tellez should get more of the starts, but he has to play well and earn the playing time). Finally, Reese McGuire got the start behind the plate after Danny Jansen had a long day behind the plate with the Dodgers pummeling the relievers last night. Will the Blue Jays have better luck against Buehler? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game #129 - Toronto Blue Jays (52-76) @ Los Angeles Dodgers (83-44)

Wed, Aug 21 • 10:10 PM EDT

At Dodger Stadium

Wilmer Font et al vs Walker Buehler

Game #128 Toronto Blue Jays (52-76) @ LA Dodgers (83-44) - game recap

Cody Bellinger was 2-3 with 2 runs scored and 3RBI in a 16-3 rout over the Blue Jays 

The Blue Jays kicked off their final west coast swing and final interleague series of the season tonight against one of the favorites for the World Series this year in the LA Dodgers. Tonight, Blue Jays batters faced lefty Clayton Kerhaw, who remains one of the premier pitchers in the MLB. He brings a 12-2 record with a solid 2.63ERA into tonight's game. The Blue Jays have opted to go with lefty Buddy Boshers as an "opener" with righty Sean Reid-Foley pitching the bulk of the innings tonight. Vlad was in the lineup after sitting out the finale of the homestand Sunday. Cavan Biggio got the day off with Brandon Drury getting the start at 2nd base. Could the Blue Jays beat one of the best pitchers in the game? Here is tonight's game recap.