Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Game #15 Kansas City Royals (3-11) @ Toronto Blue Jays (10-5) - game recap

 Randal Grichuk was 2-4 at the plate, including a 3-run HR, his first HR as a Blue Jay as Toronto defeated the KC Royals 11-3 in the opening game of today's double-header

After an unprecedented three day break due to rain-outs in Cleveland and ice ripping a hole in the Rogers Center roof, the Blue Jays return home to face the Kansas City Royals. Last season, the Blue Jays won just 2 of the 6 games played against the Royals. Here is the game recap of game one of today's double-header.

Game Highlights
  • The Blue Jays opened the scoring in this series courtesy of a Yangervis Solarte 2 run HR, which also scored Steve Pearce
  • The Royals answered back in the top of the 2nd with a bases loaded double play grounder by Paolo Orlando that scored Lucas Duda
  • In the top of the 3rd, the Royals took the lead on back to back HR by Mike Moustakas and Duda
  • Pearce tied the game in the bottom of the 5th with a single scoring Randal Grichuk
  • Two batters later, Justin Smoak singled to right, scoring Pearce
  • The next batter, Solarte, singled to score Toescar Hernandez
  • Jaimie Garcia pitching line: 5IP 8H 3R (all earned) 1BB 5K (86 pitches, 51 for strikes) 
  • Eric Skoglund pitching line:5IP 8H 5R (all earned) 1BB 6K (77 pitches, 54 for strikes)
  • In the bottom of the 6th, Randal Grichuk blasted a 3 run HR scoring Kevin Pillar and Almedys Diaz
  • Three batters later Solarte hit a sac fly to plate Devon Travis
  • Two batters later, Pillar doubled to plate Hernandez and Smoak
  • Final Score: Blue Jays 11 Royals 3
My Take
  • The Blue Jays won this game on the strength of 2 big innings in the 5th and 6th innings. Randal Grichuk was responsible for three of the runs courtesy of a 3 run HR. Toronto scored a lot of their runs today playing small ball, hitting the baseball where the Royals defense was not set up
  • Jaimie Garcia continues to be an effective fifth starter for the Blue Jays. He pitched 5 solid innings and really only got in trouble in the 2nd inning when he loaded the bases. He escaped the jam giving up just the one run.
  •  Devon Travis was plunked by a pitch in the 7th inning. While he finished the game, look for him to sit out the 2nd game of the double header Even if he wasn't hit by that pitch, I still think the Blue Jays would park him on the bench for the second game, especially with the rest schedule he is on.
  • Ex-Jay Ryan Goins made an appearance in the game. He came in as a defensive replacement in the 7th inning. He struck out in his only AB leading off the 9th. Goins spent 5 seasons in the Blue Jays organization as a Utility infielder before being granted free agency in the off-season.
  • Up next, the Blue Jays look to sweep today's double header, with Royals lefty Danny Duffy facing Joe Biaghini