Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Game #7 Baltimore Orioles (4-2) @Toronto Blue Jays (3-4) - game recap

Randal Grichuk had a big day at the plate with a pair of solo HR and the Blue Jays knocked off the Orioles 5-3 to avoid an embarrassing series sweep to the lat place team in the majors in 2018

It was  the first getaway day of the season. The Blue Jays wrapped up the season-opening home stand looking to avoid the series sweep. The Blue Jays offence has struggled to say the least, the polar opposite of the starting pitching, which began the season with 24 shutout innings. Matt Shoemaker was back on the bump looking for his second straight quality start. Could the Blue Jays end the first home stand with a W? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:
  • The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st on a throwing error by Rio Ruiz that scored Randal Grichuk
  • Nate Karns pitching line: 2IP 3H 1R (unearned) 0BB 4K 32 pitches (23 for strikes)
  • Randal Grichuk extended the lead in the bottom of the 3rd on a moonshot to the upper deck in left-center
  • Matt Shoemaker pitching line: 7IP 2H 0R 1BB 8K 92 pitches (63 for strikes)
  • The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 8th as Grichuk smacked his second solo shot of the game to left
  • Four batters later, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. lined a double to the gap scoring Teoscar Hernandez and Rowdy Tellez. Gurriel Jr. was out at third trying to stretch a double into a triple
  • The Orioles got three back in the top of the 9th as Trey Mancini crushed a bomb to straightaway center also scoring Dwight Smith Jr. and Jonathan Villar
  • Ken Giles got the final two outs for his 2nd save of the season
  • Final score: Blue Jays 5 Orioles 3
My Take:
  • This was easily the best game of the early baseball season. Matt Shoemaker threw seven strong innings of 2 hit ball, equaling his pitching line of his first start as a Blue Jay five days ago. He is turning into a very good signing by the Blue Jays 
  • Randal Grichuk rewarded the Blue Jays big time for extending him 5 years. He was 3-4 today with a pair of solo shots
  • Loudes Gurriel Jr., who is in my fantasy pool, was 2-4, including a big 2 run double
  • Something tells me that Daniel Hudson won't last long in a Blue Jays uniform. He took the loss on opening day after giving up a 10th inning 2-run HR, and today, he made Ken Giles pitch after giving up a 3-run blast in the 9th. Command seems to be the issue with Hudson.
  • During the game, it was announced that catching prospect Max Pentecost has elected to retire due to shoulder issues.You never want to see a career end by injury. Happy trails to Max.
  • Up next, the Blue Jays begin a 4-game set vs. the Cleveland Indians, who are playing their first season minus the controversial Chief Wahoo logo. While it is a good step, many pundits would like to see the Indians go a step further and change the team name. Aaron Sanchez gets the start against Indians veteran Trevor Bauer