Thursday, April 4, 2019

Game #8 Toronto Blue Jays (3-5) @ Cleveland Indians (3-3) - game recap

Trevor Bauer threw 7 no-hit innings as the Indians knocked off the Blue Jays 4-1

The Blue Jays opened a four game series vs. the Cleveland Indians, who will not be sporting the controversial Chief Wahoo logo on their unis. Last season when the MLB scheduled an early season 4 game series in Cleveland, half the games were wiped out by increment weather and the MLB scheduled a double header sandwiched between a pair of road games. Ironically enough, the rescheduled games almost didn't take place due to increment weather. Rain is in the forecast for three of the four games this season, including tonight. Socrates Brito (acquired from San Diego a few days ago) and Alen Hanson (Acquired in the Kevin Pillar trade) were both in the lineup tonight, with Brito batting second and in RF and Hanson batting 9th playing 2B. To make room on the roster, Anthony Alford and Sean Reid-Foley were both optioned back to Buffalo. Aaron Sanchez was looking to build on a strong opening start to the season. Could the Blue Jays win their first road game of the season? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:
  • The Indians opened the scoring in the bottom of the 4th as Jake Bauers scored on a fielder's choice
  • A batter later, Roberto Perez hit a sac fly scoring Carlos Santana
  • Aaron Sanchez pitching line: 6IP 5H 2R (both earned) 2BB 5K 89 pitches (57 for strikes)
  • The Indians added a run in the bottom of the 7th as Jose Ramirez hit a sac fly scoring Tyler Naquin
  • Three batters later, Eric Stamets was forced in on a bases loaded walk by Brad Miller 
  • Trevor Bauer pitching line: 7IP 0H 0R 6BB 8K 117 pitches (75 for strikes)
  • The Blue Jays broke the no-hit bid in the top of the 9th as Freddy Galvis singled up the middle
  • Three batters later, Teoscar Hernandez doubled to left, scoring Galvis to break the shutout bid
  • Brad Hand pitched the 9th for his 3rd save of the season
  • Final score: Indians 4 Blue Jays 1
My Take:
  • The difference in this one? The Indians took advantage of their bases loaded opportunities and the Blue Jays did not. In the top of the 3rd, the Blue Jays loaded the bases with no one out. The next two batters struck out swinging and Galvis lined out. Bottom of the 4th, the Indians loaded the bases with none out. They scraped across a pair of runs on a fielder's choice and a sac fly. On a night when Trevor Bauer was effectively wild, walking 6 batters, the Blue Jays could do absolutely nothing offensively. The Blue Jays have to start putting together better plate appearances or it's going to be a long season and adding Vladimir Guerrero and Bo Bichette will not substantially improve the situation.
  • Kudos to the Indians for not pulling Bauer at 90 pitches when he was throwing a no-hitter. I agree with the decision to pull Bauer at 117 pitches because at that point, it does become about protecting the arm
  • Aaron Sanchez had an effective night, giving up a pair of runs, while scattering 5 hits over 6 innings and walking a pair of batters
  • Why are the Blue Jays best hitters hitting in the 8th and 9th spots? Freddy Galvis and newcomer Alen Hanson are both batting .300 and yet they are the final two batters in the lineup. To me, you want the batters who are having the most success in the middle of the order to drive in those early runs.
  • Up next, the Blue Jays try to get a hit before the 9th inning and even the series. They'll need to do so against Shane Bieber (no relation to Canadian pop star Justin Bieber). Only Teoscar Hernandez, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Billy McKinney and Rowdy Tellez have faced the Indians righty, and all three have had decent success. Meanwhile, Trent Thornton looks to build on his impressive 8K debut, that set a new Blue Jays record for most K's in a debut.