Blue Jays DH Kendrys Morales was 2-3 at the plate, including a big 2 run HR as the Blue Jays defeated the Angels 5-3 to snap a 4 game losing streak
Game highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring as Teoscar Hernandez singled home Josh Donaldson
- Three batters later, the lead was tripled as Russell Martin doubled home Hernandez and Justin Smoak
- The next batter Kendrys Morales hit a 2 run HR that scored Martin
- The Angels got on the board in the top of the 4th as Albert Pujols singled home Mike Trout
- Two batters later, Justin Upton scored on a Andrelton Sinmons ground out
- Garrett Richards pitching line: 5IP 6H 5R (1 earned) 2BB 4K 92 pitches (58 for strikes)
- JA Happ pitching line: 7IP 3H 2R (both earned) 3BB 5K 99 pitches (60 for strikes)
- Angels catcher Martin Maldanado scored on an Ian Kinsler sac fly in the top of the 8th
- Tyler Clippard pitched a perfect 9th inning to pick up his 2nd save of the season, the first save opportunity since Roberto Osuna was put on administrative leave.
- Final score: Blue Jays 5 Angels 3
- JA Happ was terrific again tonight, throwing 7 strong innings of 3 hit, 2 run ball. Happ continues to be the Blue Jays most consistent starter. He can truly be considered the Blue Jays ace at this time. Now the bullpen is rested for the remainder of this series should Sanchez or Estrada falter.
- The Blue Jays offence had a terrific start to this game scoring 5 runs on 3 hits, a walk and an error. Kendrys Morales is starting to heat up. He had a 2-3 effort tonight, including a huge 2 run HR to cap off the scoring in the first inning. The Blue Jays had just 3 more hits after the first inning and none after the 5th inning. Hopefully, this is a sign the Blue Jays offence is coming around -- we'll see.
- Devon Travis made his return to the Blue Jays lineup tonight. He was 0-3 with 2 strikeouts. It was nice to hear that the Blue Jays might not be too set in stone on the 2 days on one day off thing with Travis. Yes, he has struggled with injuries the past couple of seasons but he's healthy now so play him. If he's going to get hurt, it will happen no matter what his playing schedule is. He's slumping and the best way to get out of that slump is with consistent playing time and at-bats.
- Another Blue Jay who is maybe showing signs of bumping his slump is Josh Donaldson. JD was 2-4 tonight with a pair of doubles. At the very least, the Blue Jays need him to get hot to increase his trade value at the deadline. Likewise, Donaldson wants to prove to other teams, including the Blue Jays, that he is worth the big bucks at the end of the season.
- Up next, the Blue Jays look for their first winning streak since April 29-May 1st as Aaron Sanchez takes the mound against Angels lefty Tyler Skaggs.
