Thursday, April 18, 2019

Game #19 Toronto Blue Jays (7-12) @ Minnesota Twins (9-6) - game recap

Freddy Galvis scored the Blue Jays only run in a 4-1 defeat to the Twins

First rain delay of the season. This one was delayed an hour before Mother Nature decided to let the game go on. Eric Sogard was right back at the top of the order after a strong debut yesterday. Randal Grichuk mercifully replaced Socrates Brito in CF, and Billy McKinney got the start in right. Trent Thornton was looking for a bounce-back start after getting knocked around for three innings five days ago. Could the Blue Jays get their first series win of the season? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:
  • The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the first as Justin Smoak singled home Freddy Galvis
  • The Twins tied it in the bottom half of the inning as Nelson Cruz singled home Max Kepler
  • A batter later, Jorge Polanco scored on a double play ball hit by Eddie Rosario
  • The Twins added a run in the bottom of the 3rd as Cruz doubled scoring Polanco
  • The Twins added a run in the top of the 5th as Marwin Gonzalez singled home Cruz
  • Trent Thronton pitching line: 4.2IP 6H 4R (all earned) 3BB 3K 93 pitches (56 for strikes)
  • Jake Ordozzi pitching line: 5.2IP 6H 1R (earned) 1BB 6K 101 pitches (64 for strikes)
  • Blake Parker pitched a perfect 9th for his 4th save of the season
  • Final score: Twins 4 Blue Jays 1
My Take:
  • Trent Thornton battled through 5.2IP giving up 4 runs on 6 hits while walking three. Thornton's command wasn't the best, but it was a cold, rainy night so that may have accounted.
  • weird stat of the night: the Blue Jays were 1-1 with runners in scoring position. They lost the game because in the seven other innings the Blue Jays got runners on base, via walk or hit, they could not advance them past 1st base. Freddy Galvis was caught trying to steal second base to end the 5th inning.
  • Up next, the Blue Jays wrap up this four game series with their second attempt to win their first series of the season. Clay Buchholz will be looking to build on his strong 1st start of the season. He'll likely be on a limited pitch count as he builds back up to 100 pitch load. The Blue Jays will be facing Michael Pineda, who has been throwing a ton of strikes this season, so batters should come ready to swing!