Game #37 Minnesota Twins (23-12) @ Toronto Blue Jays (15-22) - game recap

Jorge Polanco was 5-5 with a pair of RBI and a pair of runs scored as the Twins routed the Blue Jays 9-1 to complete the series sweep and take the season series

After 2 ugly games, where the Blue Jays were outscored 11-0, they came into this one trying to score a run. They were facing a pitcher in Kyle Gibson, who has historically had rough outings against Toronto. Trent Thornton was on the bump trying to build on his strong seven inning outing last Friday.Vladimir Guerrero Jr.  and Teoscar Hernandez got the night off. Socrates Brito was in right field  Justin Smoak got half the night off, serving as the DH, with Rowdy Tellez playing 1st base. Could the Blue Jays score a run and avoid being swept? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Twins opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Max Kepler scored on a sac fly by Eddie Rosario
• The Twins added a par of runs on a two run jack by Jorge Polanco to right-center; also scoring Kepler
• The Twins added a pair of runs in the top of the 3rd as CJ Cron whacked a two-run shot to right into the Twins bullpen; also scoring Rosario
• Trent Thornton pitching line: 2IP 7H 5R (all earned) 2BB 1K 63 pitches (37 for strikes)
• Three batters later, Jonathan Schoop roped a line drive to right-center, yet another 2-run blast also scoring Marwin Gonzalez
• The Blue Jays got on the board in the bottom of the 5th as Billy McKinney crushed a solo blast to right
• The Twins added two more runs in the top of the 6th as Rosario smashed a 2-run bomb to right also scoring Polanco
• Kyle Gibson pitching line: 6IP 2H 1R (earned) 1BB 11K 88 pitches (62 for strikes)
• final score: Twins 9 Blue Jays 1

My Take: 

• Trent Thornton had a real ugly start after such a strong performance five days ago. He was lit up for 5 runs on 7 hits and a pair of walks. Thornton managed to escape a bases loaded situation in the 1st ceding just a single run, but he made 2 mistake pitches and both landed for home runs. The Twins are an up and coming team that is looking like they are much closer to a playoff berth than Toronto at the moment. Will Thornton ever get his first career win? After today's start, he is 0-4 with a 5.06 ERA.
• The Blue Jays were officially 0-1 with RISP. Aside from Billy McKinney smacking one over the wall in right and Freddy Galvis advancing to second on a passed ball, no one else got to second base.
• Strikeouts are still a major problem. 14 Blue  Jays struck out today. How much longer will Atkins let things go before firing someone or making a roster move? At this point, you might as well call up Cavan Biggio. I mean, it's not like he can possibly do worse than this lineup. 
• Up next, after an off-day that is sorely needed to rest the bullpen, the Blue Jays start a three game series against the White Sox looking to snap a five game losing streak. Righty Clay Buchholz will be looking to bounce back from a rough start in Texas. The White Sox will counter with righty Dylan Covey, who only Brandon Drury has faced. The Blue Jays won the season series 4-2 last season.