Game #33 Toronto Blue Jays (15-18) @ Texas Rangers (15-16) - game recap

Rangers catcher Isiah Kiner-Falafela drove in 4 runs and scored once as the Rangers defeated the Blue Jays 8-5

After gutting out a win in a marathon 12 inning game after a late arrival from Anaheim, the Blue Jays were back at it Saturday trying to win the weekend series against the Rangers. Thomas Pannone got the spot start in place of Matt Shoenaker, who underwent his ACL surgery in Florida at the beginning of the week. Justin Smoak got a half day off, serving as the DH with Rowdy Tellez in the field at 1B. Danny Jansen got the start behind the plate and Socrates Brito was in right field. Could the Blue Jays make it two in a row? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled home Justin Smoak for his first career RBI.
• The Rangers tied it in the bottom half of the inning as Nomar Mazara crushed a solo shot into the upper deck in right
• The Rangers added a trio of runs in the bottom of the 2nd as Isiah Kiner-Falefa tripled scoring Joey Gallo, Asdrubal Cabrera and Logan Forsythe
• Two batters later, Evis Andrus singled home Kiner-Falefa
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 3rd as Eric Sogard scored on a sac fly by Smoak
• The Rangers added a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning as Forsythe singled scoring Hunter Pence and Forsythe
• A batter later, Cabrera scored on a fielder's choice hit by Kiner-Falefa
• Thomas Pannone pitching line: 2.1IP 5H 7R (all earned) 3BB 1K 58 pitches (33 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got a pair back in the top of the 4th as Sogard tripled home Billy McKinney and Socrates Brito
• A batter later, Sogard scored on a ground out by Freddy Galvis
• Lance Lynn pitching line: 6IP 8H 5R (all earned) 5BB 3K 103 pitches (62 for strikes)
• Shawn Kelley pitched a perfect 9th for his 2nd save of the season
• Final score: Rangers 8 Blue Jays 5

My Take:

• Rough start for Thomas Pannone, who was lit up to the tune of 7 runs on 5 hits and a trio of walks. He had difficulty locating his stuff, especially to the outside part of the plate. It will be interesting to see who the Blue Jays turn to on Friday. Sam Gaviglio may be an option, or possibly Derek Law if he is fit after getting nailed in the shin at the end of the 4th.
• Oof Socrates Brito had a rough day in the field. He was directly responsible for 5 of the Rangers runs. He was unable to catch a ball that turned into a 3-run triple in the 2nd inning and he booted a ball in the next inning that scored two more runs. He may not be around much longer, because he's been no better at the plate and I can see Jonathan Davis or Anthony Alford being recalled soon.
• Eric Sogard continues to produce at the top of the lineup. He got on base three times today, drawing a pair of walks and tripling home a pair of runs to get the Blue Jays within striking distance.
• By the way, the perfect record with a sacrifice bunt remains in tact as the Blue Jays did not have a sacrifice bunt today, although Billy McKinney led off with a bunt single and came around to score on Sogard's triple
• Up next, the Blue Jays wrap up the road trip, looking to head home with a victory.Drew Smyly makes his return to the Rangers rotation after missing a couple of weeks with forearm tightness. Meanwhile, Clay Buchholz pitches in a stadium that has not been kind to him. In six career starts in Arlington, Buchholz has allowed 19 runs in 27 innings. This current Rangers squad has a number of batters who have enjoyed success against the Blue Jays righty. He's still looking for his first win in a Blue Jays uniform.Oh, and if the Blue Jays win, they'll prevent the Rangers from getting to .500.