Game #46 Oakland A's (24-22) @ Toronto Blue Jays (22-24) - game recap

Oakland A's Chad Pinder hit a grand slam as the A's defeated the Blue Jays 5-4

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the 5th with a 2 run HR by Gio Urshela that also scored Dwight Smith Jr.
• Four batters later, Yangervis Solarte doubled home Josh Donaldson
• Justinm Smoak scored on a sac fly by Kevin Pillar
• Sam Gaviglio pitching line: 5.1IP 6H 0R 1BB 6K 88 pitches (61 for strikes)
• Sean Manaea pitching line: 5IP 5H 4R (all earned) 3BB 2K 97 pitches (59 for strikes)
• The A's got on the board in the bottom of the 8th as Stephen Piscotty singled home Matt Chapman
• Three batters later, Chad Pinder hit a grand slam scoring Piscotty, Khris Davis and Jed Lowrie
• Final score: A's 5 Blue Jays 4

My take: 

• Sam Gaviglio did a nice job in his spot start, in what would normally be Marcus Stroman's spot in the rotation. Gaviglio pitched 5.1 shutout innings, scattering 6 hits and a walk. Unfortunately, the bullpen blew the game in the 8th inning, giving up a grand slam and a run scoring single. Lately, the Blue Jays bullpen has been less effective, as they have been used too much the first 6 weeks. 
• All the offence today was scored in 2 big innings. The Blue jays got their 4 runs in the 5th inning off a hit batter, 2 run HR, double and sac fly. The A's scored five in the 8th off a run-scoring single and three batters later, a grand slam.
• The Blue Jays did a much better job in working the count. The knocked starter Sean Manaea out of the game after 97 pitches and 5 innings. Unfortunately, they couldn't capitalize on an overworked bullpen who had pitched 16.2 innings heading into this game. They also only struck out 5 times today, a vast improvement on the 15K's Friday night.
• Up next, the Blue Jays look to avoid the series sweep as Joe Biagini takes the mound for the Blue Jays against A's righty Daniel Mengden.