Game #134 Toronto Blue Jays (61-73) @ Miami Marlins (53-82) - game recap

Justin Smoak hit a pinch-hit, go-ahead grand slam in the 9th as the Blue Jays came from behind to defeat the Marlins 6-5

The Blue Jays and Marlins met for the first time since 2015 when they swept the Marlins 3-0 June 8-10 that year. Both rosters have seen drastic changes since the last meeting. Only Justin Smoak, Kevin Pillar, Russell Martin, Devon Travis, Dalton Pompey, Aaron Sanchez, Ryan Tepera, Marcus Stroman and Troy Tulowitzki (I'm assuming that Josh Donaldson has been traded by the time you read this) remain from that team's roster. Both the Marlins and Blue Jays are playing for next year. Tonight, Aaron Sanchez was looking for a better second outing since the DL stint. The team was looking to snap a 4-game losing streak. Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights

• The Marlins took the lead in the bottom of the 4th as Derek Dietrich singled home Brian Anderson
• Two batters later JT Riddle singled, scoring Dietrich
• A batter later, Starlin Castro scored on a ground out by Austin Dean
• The Marlins added a run in the bottom of the 5th as JT Realmoto singled home Anderson
• Two batters later, Castro singled, scoring Realmoto
• Aaron Sanchez pitching line: 4.2IP 8H 5R (all earned) 3BB 2K 82 pitches (48 for strikes)
• The  Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 6th as Curtis Granderson scored on a sac fly by Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
• Dan Straily pitching line: 8IP 4H 1R (earned) 1BB 4K 104 pitches (72 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got on back in the top of the 9th as Kendrys Morales scored on a bases loaded walk by Devon Travis
• The next batter, Justin Smoak hit a grand slam to right; also scoring Travis, Randal Grichuk and Danny Jansen
• Ken Giles came in and pitched the 9th for his 19th save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 6 Marlins 5

My Take

• Aaron Sanchez had another rough outing, allowing 5 runs on 8 hits and a walk over 4.2 innings. It was the 4th and 5th innings where Sanchez really got into trouble. He allowed 4 hits in each of those 2 innings. Three of those hits came around to score in the 4th and a pair scored in the 5th. To me, Sanchez needs to work on his command and that may come with time/bullpen work. 
• Better late than never. The offence scored one run on 4 hits and a walk in the first 8 innings off starter Dan Straily. Once he was removed for a pinch hitter, the bats woke up and put up 5 runs, 4 of which came on a grand slam by Justin Smoak.
• Brian McKinney had a nice day at the plate with three hits.
• It was nice to see a comeback on a day when the Blue Jays said goodbye to former all-star and MVP Josh Donaldson, who was traded to Cleveland mid-game.
• Up next, the Blue Jays look for the series win as Marco Estrada tries to pitch through a back injury against Marlins lefty Wei-Yin Chen