Game #91 Toronto Blue Jays (42-49) @ Atlanta Braves (51-40) - game recap

Ozzie Albies was 2-4 with 4RBI and a pair of runs scored as the Braves beat the Blue Jays 9-5

The Blue Jays were looking to sweep the mini two game series tonight and win the season series over Alex Antropolous and George Poullis's Atlanta Braves. The series featured a match-up of teams largely going in opposite directions. The Blue Jays are well back of the second wild card sport and will be looking to trade assets in the coming weeks. Atlanta is in the midst of a tight race for the NL East division title. Tonight might have been Gaviglio's last game in the rotation with Jaime Garcia and Aaron Sanchez both nearing a return to health. The play of Ryan Borucki has earned him another start if either or both Sanchez/Garcia need more time to rehab. Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights

• The Braves opened the scoring in the bottom of the second as Johan Camargo scored on a sacrifice bunt by pitcher Mike Foltynewicz. Foltynwicz reached base on a throwing error by Luke Maile.
• The next batter, Ender Inciarte doubled home Dansby Swanson
• Foltynewicz scored on a sac fly by the next batter, Ozzie Albies
• The next batter, Freddie Freeman knocked in Inciarte with a single
• The next batter, Nick Markakis, doubled to score Freeman
• The next batter, Tylor Flowers, singled home Markakis
• Sam Gaviglio pitching line: 1.2IP 6H 6R (all earned) 0BB 0K 48 pitches (34 for strikes)
• The Braves added one more in the bottom of the 6th on a solo HR to right by Albies
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 7th on a leadoff HR to right by Justin Smoak
• Six batters later, Devon Travis hit a grand slam, scoring Lourdes Gurriel Jr, Aledmys Diaz and Luke Maile
• Mike Foltynewicz pitching line: 6.2IP 6H 5R (all earned) 2BB 6K 98 pitches (65 for strikes)
• The Braves added 2 more in the bottom of the 8th as Albies homered to center, also scoring Danny Santana
• Final score: Braves 9 Blue Jays 5

My Take

• Sam Gaviglio had one disastrous half inning in the 2nd, giving up 6 runs on 6 hits and an error. Gaviglio's days may be numbered in the rotation with starters Aaron Sanchez, Marco Estrada and Jaime Garcia all nearing a return to health. As a starter, Gaviglio has been very hit and miss, looking just ok in his last start. 
• something quirky: Both the Blue Jays rally in the 8th last night and the Braves big inning in the 2nd tonight began on errors.
• The Blue Jays had a big rally of their own in the top of the 7th capped off by a Devon Travis grand slam to get the Blue Jays within 2
• Outside of the big inning in the 7th, the Blue Jays had 3 hits and 2 walks. They were sent down in order in the 1st, 3rd, 4th (helped by an inning-ending double play), 5th and 6th. The Blue Jays have to find a way to score in multiple innings and also put together big innings like they did in the 7th today and the 8th yesterday.
• Toronto used 6 relievers today. With a 4 game series starting tomorrow in Boston, look for a roster move or two for some fresh arms.
• Up next, the Blue Jays finish off the unofficial end to the first half before the all-star break with ace and all-star JA Happ pitching in what could be his final game in a Blue Jays uniform against ex-Blue Jay David Price. The Red Sox lefty has been kryptonite for Blue Jays batters, sporting a sparkling 19-3 record with a 2.46ERA against the Blue Jays.