Friday, April 5, 2019

Game #9 Toronto Blue Jays (3-6) @ Cleveland Indians (4-3) - game recap

Freddy Galvis provided the Blue Jays only offence on a 2 run bomb to right as the Indians edged the Blue Jays 3-2

In 4 of the first 8 games, the opposing pitcher has taken a no-hitter into the 5th inning. Last night, it took until the 9th for the Blue Jays to manage a hit. Trent Thornton got his second spot start of the season in place of the injured Ryan Borucki. I still find it a bit odd that Charlie Montoya is placing his best hitters Richard Urena and Freddy Galvis so low in the lineup. Could the Blue Jays get a hit before inning 5? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:
  • The Indians opened the scoring in the bottom of the 3rd as Kevin Plawecki smacked a screaming line drive over the left field wall
  • The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the 5th as Freddy Galvis crushed a 2-run bomb to right also scoring Rowdy Tellez
  • The Indians tied the game in the bottom of the 5th as Max Moroff doubled home Hanley Ramirez
  • Trent Thornton pitching line: 5.2IP 3H 2R (both earned) 2BB 7K 92 pitches (52 for strikes)
  • Shane Bieber pitching line: 6IP 2H 2R (both earned)  2BB 9K 91 pitches (52 for strikes)
  • Carlos Santana launched a walk-off HR to left-center in the bottom of the 9th
  • Final score: Indians 3 Blue Jays 2
My Take:
  • The baseball Beeb stonewalled the Blue Jays, scattering a trio of hits (one of which was a 2 run blast), walked a pair and struck out nine over 6 masterful innings. Blue Jays starter Trent Thornton was equally effective, save for allowing an extra hit and striking out 2 fewer batters
  • The MLB umpires got it completely wrong with one out in the bottom of the 8th when Jose Ramirez was called safe stealing 2nd base (upheld upon replay). Ramirez tried to evade the tag by Freddy Galvis by pulling his hand away, but the Blue Jays 2B clearly tagged Ramirez in the chest. Luckily Blue Jays reliever Daniel Hudson retired the next two batters. Had Ramirez scored and that had been the winning run, I fully expect the Blue Jays would have filed for the game to have been played under protest. What's the point of instant replay if you're not going to get the call right?
  • Why are Freddy Galvis and Richard Urena, the Blue Jays best hitters BY FAR batting 7th and 8th in the lineup? They should be batting 3rd and cleanup respectively
  • The offensive output was decidedly worse than yesterday. At least yesterday the Blue Jays were able to draw a bunch of walks.
  • Up next, the Blue Jays attempt to snap the 2 game losing streak. Southpaw Thomas Pannone gets the spot start in favor of the injured Clay Richards. Pannone tossed four scoreless innings five days ago after SRF got lit up to the tune of 5 runs (three earned) on 4 hits and a pair of walks. The Indians will counter with righty Carlos Carrasco, who was lit up in his first start of the season, giving up 6 runs on 10 hits.