Saturday, August 4, 2018

Game #109 Toronto Blue Jays (50-59) @ Seattle Mariners (63-47) - game recap

Ryan Borucki threw eight outstanding innings of 4-hit ball as the Blue Jays knocked off the Mariners 7-2

Here we are the game after my first MLB game (I will touch on my experiences in my weekly random thoughts post.) Tonight, the Blue Jays were looking to do something they have not done since July 20-22; win multiple games in a row. Kevin Pillar returned to the lineup after missing a few weeks with an SC joint injury. Ryan Borucki was looking to continue his fine start to his MLB career. Borucki came into the game ranked first among Blue Jays starters in average innings pitched. He was looking for his first career MLB win. Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights

  • The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 1st as Devon Travis singled home Randal Grichuk
  • The lead was doubled in the top of the 4th as Russell Martin launched a solo shot to left-center
  • The Mariners got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Kyle Seagar singled scoring Mitch Haniger
  • The Blue Jays added two more in the top of the 5th as Travis hit a 2 run HR to left also scoring Grichuk
  • Marco Gonzales pitching line: 7IP 7H 4R (all earned) 0BB 7K 83 pitches (63 for strikes)\
  • Ryan Borucki 8IP 4H 1R (unearned) 0BB 2K 111 pitches (75 for strikes)
  • The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 9th as Martin singled home Teoscar Hernandez
  • Three batters later, Martin scored on a sac fly by Kevin Pillar
  • A batter later, Grichuk singled home Aledmys Diaz
  • The Mariners got one back in the bottom of the 9th on a Ryon Healy single that scored Haniger
  • Final score: Blue Jays 7 Mariners 2
My Take

  • Ryan Borucki was outstanding tonight with eight strong innings of 4 hit ball and one unearned run (due to yet another error by the Blue Jays defense). The Blue Jays rookie finally got his first career MLB win as the offence actually scored some runs today. If Borucki keeps pitching like he is, he could be in the running for a Cy Young in the future.
  • Kevin Pillar had an RBI in his first game back from the disabled list but was 0-4 at the plate.
  • Russell Martin's bat is really heating up. He had a pair of hits today to bring his season average up to .197. Martin also called a great game behind the plate.
  • Randal Grichuk is continuing to make manager John Gibbons look like a genius for putting him in the lead-off spot. He was 4-5 at the plate today with an RBI and 2 runs scored
  • Errors continue to plague the Blue Jays defense. Brandon Drury dropped the ball when transferring the ball to throw to first and Aledmys Diaz booted a ball hit to him, which set up the Mariners only run off Borucki. It's about attention to detail and baseball is a game of fundamentals with emphasis on the mental. The team has to eliminate the errors they are making because the top teams will take advantage and knock in the extra base runner. Also, you are forcing your pitcher to throw at least one more pitch to get out of the inning.
  • New Blue Jays closer Ken Giles pitched the ninth. He struck out the side but allowed a run on 2 hits. It was not a save situation tonight but I think John Gibbons wanted to get Giles into a game situation, so I think he would have pitched the last inning even if the score was reversed. Giles stuff looked downright nasty tonight. Hopefully he can consistently have outings like tonight.
  • Up next, the Blue Jays face James Paxton, who threw his first career no-hitter back in Toronto on May 8. The Blue Jays will counter with righty Marco Estrada, who is looking to bounce back after a rough outing coming off the disabled list.