Game #45 Oakland A's (23-22) @ Toronto Blue Jays (22-23) - game recap

Dustin Fowler was 2-3 at the plate with a pair of RBI and a pair of runs scored as the A's defeated the Blue Jays 3-1

After a rough game yesterday where the Blue Jays couldn't take advantage of a bases loaded situation in the bottom of the 8th where one swing would have tied the game, the Blue Jays were looking to even the series at one heading into the weekend. News came out today that Jaime Garcia was headed to the DL with a left forearm issue. This makes tonight's start by Estrada even more important to get deep into the game with two spot starts needed over the next three days, More than likely Joe Biagini will get one start and either Deck McGuire or Sam Gaviglio will start the other game. Here is today's game recap.

Game highlights:

• Dustin Fowler opened the scoring with a solo HR to left in the top of the 3rd.
• Brett Anderson pitching line: 1IP 2H 0R 0BB 0K 15 pitches (8 for strikes); left after 1 warm-up pitch in the bottom of the 2nd
• The Blue Jays tied it in the bottom of the 5th as Gio Urshela singled home Luke Maile
• The A's took the lead back in the top of the 7th as Fowler doubled home Chad Pinder
• The next batter, Josh Phegley doubled home Fowler.
• Marco Estrada pitching line: 6.2IP 7H 3R (all earned) 0BB 6K 108 pitches (79 for strikes)
• Final Score: A's 3 Blue Jays 1

My take:

• For the second straight game, the Oakland A's starter pitching was forced to leave the game early due to injury. Last night, Andrew Triggs left in the 3rd inning after facing 3 batters (he left with a 2-0 count on Justin Smoak. Tonight, Brett Anderson threw one warm-up pitch in the top of the second and immediately called out his catcher and the trainer, grabbing his left shoulder. Reliever Josh Lucas came in throwing strikes. He struck out 6 of the first 8 batters he faced. The Blue Jays were forced to adjust to a completely different type of pitcher (righty vs. lefty and Lucas has a different angle when he pitches).
• Marco Estrada was great today, pitching into the 7th inning. He scattered 7 hits over his 6.2 innings of work and didn't walk a batter. Only one ball left the ballpark, something Estrada has struggled with this season. This start was just what the Blue Jays needed with 2 spot starts in a row this weekend. Joe Biagini has yet to prove he can pitch beyond the 5th inning this season and Deck McGuire and Sam Gaviglio are both unknowns as starters.
• Key play in the top of the 9th, Ryan Tepera picked off Matt Chapman. The second base umpire initially called him safe, but the call was overturned on replay. This was key because the batter Dustin Fowler walked 2 pitches later and there were 2 outs in the inning.
• Key stat: 15 strikeouts by Blue Jay batters. I know the Blue Jays had a difficult situation with the starting pitcher injured early but you, as a hitter, have to be more patient at the plate. Make the reliever throw more pitches. It's too bad the Blue Jays wasted a good pitching performance by Estrada. He deserved the win tonight.
• Up next, the Blue Jays go up against A's lefty Sean Manaea, who has already no-hit the Red Sox this season. Toronto will counter with Sam Gaviglio, making his first start of the season. Gaviglio started 13 games for the Mariners and Royals in 2017 with a record of 4-5 and a 4.36ERA.