Saturday, April 20, 2019

Game #21 Toronto Blue Jays (9-12) @ Oakland A's (11-11) - game recap

Marcus Stroman threw 8 strong innings as the Blue Jays knocked off the A's 5-1

Today's game marked a trio of reunions. First, Eric Sogard made his first appearance in an opposition uniform since signing with the Brewers as a free agent in 2016. Kendrys Morales will be facing his old teammates for the first time since being traded the day before the season began. Finally, Marco Estrada, who will not play in the series as he is on the IL with more back issue, signed as a free agent this past off-season.If rumors are to be believed, this might be the last series without no Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the lineup. However, the weather might delay his debut to later in the week as the team wants him playing two-three days in a row. Could the Blue Jays snap the seven game losing streak vs. the A's? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:
  • The A's opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Matt Chapman doubled, scoring Marcus Semien
  • The Blue Jays tied the game in the top of the 2nd as Socrates Brito singled home Justin Smoak
  • A batter later, Danny Jansen doubled home Teoscar Hernandez and Billy McKinney
  • A batter later, Eric Sogard singled scoring Brito
  • The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 4th as Brandon Drury smacked a line drive over the wall in left
  • Aaron Brooks pitching line: 5IP 6H 5R (all earned) 2BB 5K 91 pitches (54 for strikes)
  • Marcus Stroman pitching line: 8IP 6H 1R (earned) 2BB 6K 109 pitches (69 for strikes)
  • Final score: Blue Jays 5 A's 1
My Take:
  • Marcus Stroman was outstanding in what was his best start of the season. He allowed just 1 run on 6 hits and a pair of walks. Stroman had command of all his pitches early and stayed composed throughout. The key for Stroman is keeping his emotions in check, because when he gets too hyped up, he tends to overthrow and lose the strike zone. Also, look what happened last start. Stroman was mad when Lourdes Gurriel Jr. threw the ball away and he ended up throwing an extra 15 pitches. The next inning, he immediately threw the ball away himself. Hopefully we'll see more of tonight's Marcus Stroman
  • Socrates Brito finally got a huge elephant off his back, getting his first hit of the season and driving in a run in the process
  • The umps really blew a call in the top of the 6th. McKinney smack a double down the line and was called out trying to stretch the double into a triple. Replays obviously showed that the tag was late as Chapman tagged him on the chest. McKinney did a great job maintaining contact with the bag despite having his momentum spin him around.
  • Up next, the first of two weekend matinees as Matt Shoemaker goes for his 4th win of the season. Mike Fiers will counter for the A's.