Monday, August 20, 2018

Game #125 Baltimore Orioles (37-88) @ Toronto Blue Jays (56-69) - game recap


Kendrys Morales was 2-4 with 4 RBI and a pair of runs scored as the Blue Jays defeated the Orioles 5-3

Our favorite punching bag rolled into town. The Orioles are the one team that makes the Blue Jays look like a powerhouse. Coming into tonight, the Blue Jays have won 9 of the 10 meetings between the two bird teams. Contrast that to a 4 wins in 16 tries against the Yankees and being swept by a non-interleague team in a season series (Oakland) for the first time in franchise history. Tonight, Marco Estrada got to showcase himself to prospective teams looking for a starter to help them make the playoffs. Granderson also got to do the same batting leadoff tonight. Did the Blue Jays make it 10 wins in 11 tonight? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights
  • The Orioles opened the scoring in the top of the 3rd as Jonathan Villar scored on a sac fly by Chris Davis
  • The Blue Jays tied it in bottom of the 4th as Kendrys Morales homered just inside the foul pole in right
  • The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the 5th as Kevin Pillar doubled home Richard Urena
  • Two batters later, Morales golfed a three run blast to right also scoring Pillar and Justin Smoak
  • The Orioles got one back in the top of the 6th as Renato Nunez hit a solo HR to left-center
  • Three batters later, Caleb Joseph doubled home Craig Gentry
  • Marco Estrada pitching line 5.1IP 7H 3R (all earned) 3BB 4K 97 pitches (62 for strikes)
  • Andrew Cashner pitching line: 6IP 7H 5R (all earned) 3BB 2K 97 pitches (56 for strikes)
  • Ken Giles threw a perfect 9th for his 16th save (4th in a Blue Jays uniform). He remains perfect in converting save opportunities on the season
  • Final score: Blue Jays 5 Orioles 3
My Take

  • Marco Estrada battled his way through 5.1 innings today, allowing 3 runs on 7 hits with 3 walks. Estrada did just enough to minimize the damage to three runs and hold the lead. It was not his best game to be sure. To teams looking to acquire Estrada, we'll take a late round pick or mid-level prospect.
  • The bullpen was lights out tonight, allowing just one hit (Tepera allowed a double to the first batter he faced) over 3.2 innings
  • Danny Jansen extended his hitting streak to 6 games, just 50 games shy of Dimaggio's hit streak.
  • Kendrys Morales had a huge game, driving in 4 of the 5 runs the Blue Jays scored
  • Kevin Pillar responded nicely to the criticism of John Gibbons with a pair of hits tonight
  • Up next, the Blue Jays look to continue their season-long dominance over the Orioles as they go for their 9th straight win over the AL East rivals. Sam Gaviglio will be pitching against O's righty Dylan Bundy