Game #37 Seattle Mariners (20-15) @ Toronto Blue Jays (20-17) - game recap

Teoscar Hernandez was 3-4 at the plate and finished a triple shy of the cycle as the Blue Jays defeated the Mariners 5-2 to even the 3 game series at 1

No question, the Blue Jays were looking for better results after being no-hit by James Paxton last night. So much happened internally yesterday with the Roberto Osuna arrest and Aledmys Diaz being placed on the DL, it was no surprise the team was out of sorts last night. It was a new day today and time to reset and focus on baseball. Here is today's game recap.

Game highlights:

• The Mariner opened the scoring on a Jean Segura double that scored Dee Gordon in the top of the 1st
• Mitch Hanigar hit a ground rule double to score Segura, doubling the lead in the top of the 3rd
• Teoscar Hernandez cut the lead to one with a solo shot in the bottom of the 4th.
• Jaimie Garcia pitching line: 5IP 3H 2R (1 earned) 5BB 3K 92 pitches (50 for strikes)
• Wade LeBlanc pitching line: 5IP 4H 1R (earned) 0BB 3K 58 pitches (45 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays tied it in the bottom of the 8th as Yangervis Solarte doubled home Josh Donaldson
• The next batter, Justin Smoak doubled home pinch runner Anthony Alford
• The next batter Kevin Pillar singled to score Smoak. Pillar was thrown out at second trying to stretch the single into a double
• Two batters later Luke Maile singled home Russell Martin
• Tyler Clippard pitched the 9th for his first save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 5 Mariners 2

My take:

• Both starters went 5 innnings but had 2 very different games. Jaimie Garcia struggled with his control and pitched in and out of trouble all game. He threw five walks and even drew a mound visit from manager John Gibbons in the first inning after hitting Kyle Seagar to load the bases in the first inning. His only clean inning was in the 4th. Mariners starter Wade LeBlanc was much more efficient and had 58 pitches at the end of the 5th. He was pulled because he is still being stretched out as a starter.
• Teoscar Hernandez singled leading off the game to break up any chance of a no-hit bid.
• Key play in the bottom of the 6th inning: Teoscar Hernandez hit a double down the line that a fan reached out and caught. Initially the umpires placed Hernandez at third base. The call was overturned upon replay and Hernandez was sent back to second base. Had he been on 3rd base he might have scored on the Yangervis Solarte fly ball 2 batters later.
• Key play in the bottom of the 8th: Solarte hit a double that the Mariners challenged on him being off the bag on the bag. The call on the field stood and the Blue Jays responded with three straight hits that led to the game winning run and an insurance run. They would add one more in the inning for a three run lead.
• Russell Martin had a great game at third base. He was making strong throws all game long. If the Blue Jays want to reduce the number of games Josh Donaldson is in the field to rest his shoulder, Martin is a very capable option.
• The wind played a big factor in the game leading to several misplayed balls by the outfielders of both teams. Kevin Pillar seemed to handle the fly balls that came his way the best. It was the first game this season that the roof was open. Luke Maile was even able to get a triple when Mariners LF Guillermo Heredia had a ball bounce over his head and roll to the wall.
• Up next, the Blue Jays look for the series win in the rubber match featuring Jays ace JA Happ pitching against Mariners righty Mike Leake.