Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Game #12 Toronto Blue Jays (8-4) @ Baltimore Orioles (4-8) - game recap

Aaron Sanchez pitched 8 strong innings as the Blue Jays defeated the Orioles 2-1. Sanchez had a no-hitter through 7 innings.

Toronto has looked like a vastly different team than 2017. Almost everyone is healthy and the Blue Jays have been getting  timely hitting. Last night saw the Blue Jays lose DH Kendrys Morales to a hamstring injury. Morales was placed on the 10 day DL today. The Blue Jays also recalled LHP Tim Mayza as Aaron Loup has been largely ineffective when called upon this season. Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights
  • Aaron Sanchez picked off Jonathan Schoop to end the first inning. It is the first time this season a Blue Jays 
  • Andrew Cashner pitchng line: 7IP 4H 0R 3BB 6K 104 pitches (61 for strikes)
  • The Blue Jays took the lead in the top half of the 8th courtesy of a Yangervis Solarte single that scored Justin Smoak
  • Tim Beckham broke up the no-hitter with a double that went between Donaldson's legs
  • The Orioles tied the game on a double by catcher Chance Sisco, scoring Beckham
  • Curtis Granderson gave the Jays the lead back in the bottom half of the inning with a solo HR
  • Roberto Osuna retired the side in order for his 5th save of the season, 100th of his career. He is the youngest pitcher to reach the milestone.
  • Final score Blue Jays 2 Orioles 1
My Take: 
  • Aaron Sanchez was outstanding today. He had a no-hitter going through 7 innings that was broken up the first pitch of the 8th inning. His only  blemishes through the first seven innings were a hit batter and 4 walks. Sancheez had tons of late movement on his pitches. He also benefited from great defensive plays by Kevin Pillar and Devon Travis. Sanchez is back after a disastrous 2017 season that saw him make only 4 starts due to blister issues.
  • The Blue Jays did just enough offensively late, getting to relievers Darren O'Day and ex-Jay Miguel Castro. I really like how patient Jays hitters have been at the plate this season. It has been paying dividends as the Blue Jays look to match their longest winning streak of the season tomorrow night. Devon Travis really has to be more patient at the plate. He swung at the first pitch in 2 of his 4 AB. He is in a major slump with a .083 batting average and .257 on base%. Travis has been good in the field though.
  • Props to Andrew Cashner who gamely pitched three more innings after taking a Russell Martin grounder off the right ankle. Cashner pitched well but wasn't as efficient with his pitches as Sanchez. 
  • Next up the Blue Jays look for their first series sweep of the season with Marco Estrada pitching against Kevin Gausman. With the win tomorrow, Toronto would be guaranteed to have a winning record on this road trip.