Game #31 Toronto Blue Jays (18-13) @ Cleveland Indians (16-14) - game recap

Yangervis Solarte had a big game at the plate going 5-6, including the game-winning grand slam as the Blue Jays took game 1 of the double header 13-11

After yet another rain delay threatened to wipe out one or both games of the double header, the weather cooperated and the game got underway after a 2 hour delay. Here is the game recap from the first game of today's double header

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the second as Russell Martin hit a 2 run shot to right-center that also scored Yangervis Solarte
• Josh Donaldson extended the lead in the top of the 4th with a double that scored Lourdes Gurriel Jr. 
• Two batters later Solarte singled scoring Donaldson and Curtis Granderson
• The Indians got on the board in the bottom half of the inning on a Brandon Guyer double that scored Michael Brantley
• The next batter, Bradley Zimmer hit one back up the middle to score Edwin Encarnacion and Guyer 
• Two batters later Francisco Lindor hit a three run HR to give the Indians the Lead. Also scoring on the play were Zimmer and Erik Gonzalez
• Four batters later, Edwin Encarnacion singled to score Jose Ramirez
• Jaimie Garcia pitching line: 3.1IP 7H 6R (all earned) 1BB 4K 67 pitches (41 for strikes)
• Carlos Carrasco pitching line: 5.1IP 9H 6R (all earned) 3BB 7K 113 pitches (71 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 7th as Gurriel Jr. singled home Pillar
• The Blue Jays added to the lead in the top of the 8th on a Pillar double that plated Teoscar Hernandez
• The Indians got one back in the bottom of the 8th inning on a Lindor solo HR
• Three batters later the game was tied again as Brantley doubled to score Ramirez
• Solarte gave the Blue Jays the lead in the top of the 11th with a grand slam that scored Luke Maile, Donaldson and Hernandez
• The Indians got two back in the bottom of the inning on an Encarnacion single that scored Ramirez and Brantley
• Final score: Blue Jays 13 Indians 11

My Take: 

• Starting pitcher Jaimie Garcia had a disastrous 4th inning, giving up 6 of the 7 runs scored in the inning. Cleveland sent 12 men to the plate in the inning and the Blue Jays were forced to use 3 pitchers to get out of the inning. As a 5th starter, Garcia has been decent for the most part but today was not his day.
• Both teams had rough games with injuries. Yangervis Solarte did a face plant sliding into third base. He was able to remain in the game after the training staff patched hi up. Steve Pearce left the game after his at-bat in the top of the 5th. The most serious injury might be to Indians reliever Nick Goody, who appeared to rupture something in his elbow when delivering a pitch to Kevin Pillar. Don't be surprised if news comes out in the coming days that he needs Tommy John surgery.
• Pitching was not great on either side. Both teams threw a lot of pitches, not a good thing with a second game to play on the same day.
• Both teams ran into third outs, the Blue Jays in the 6th when Aledmys Diaz was thrown out trying to go from 1st to 3rd and the Indians in the 8th when Michael Brantley was thrown out trying to stretch a double into a triple
• This game was a manager's worse nightmare. Both bullpens were used a lot today and there'sa whole 'nother game to play.
• Josh Donaldson had a good first game back from the DL. He hit a HR and a pair of doubles and all his throws to first looked strong
• Game 2 sees Joe Biagini pitching against Adam Plutko, who was making his MLB debut