Game #45 Toronto Blue Jays (18-27) @ Chicago White Sox (21-23) - game recap

Rowdy Tellez got on base in both his plate appearances and scored the Blue Jays only run in a rain-shortened 4-1 loss to the White Sox

Today was supposed to be a bullpen day, but Aaron Sanchez left his start early last night with more blister issues. The Blue Jays recalled lefty Ryan Feierabend, who has reinvented himself as a knuckleballer. Veteran Luke Maile got the start behind the plate with the unpredictability that comes with the knuckleball. Richard Urena got the start at second base, giving Eric Sogard the day off. Justin Smoak got a half day off, serving as the DH, with Rowdy Tellez at first base. Could the Blue Jays make it two wins in a row? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The White Sox opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Leury Garcia smacked a solo drive over the wall in left-center
• The Blue Jays tied the game in the top of the 2nd as Rowdy Tellez scored on a ground out by Brandon Drury 
• The White Sox took the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Yonder Alonso singled scoring Yoan Moncada
• Two batters later, Charlie Tilson singled home Alonso
• The White Sox added a run in the bottom of the 3rd as Alonso singled home Tim Anderson
• Ryan Feieraband pitching line: 4IP 7H 4R (all earned) 1BB 2K 74 pitches (51 for strikes)
• Lucas Giolito pitching line: 5IP 3H 1R (earned) 2BB 4K 78 pitches (47 for strikes)
• Final score: White Sox 4 Blue Jays 1 (5 innings)

My Take:

• This time the increment weather caused the game to be over after five innings. There was heavy rain towards the end of the game last night, but it didn't last long and the game was in the latter stages anyway.
• Ryan Feierabend became the 10th starter to start a game for the Blue Jays this season. If you look at his numbers solely, his pitching line wasn't great. He gave up 4 runs on seven hits and a walk. However, many of the hits were weak singles that simply dropped in front of the outfielders, who may not have gone as hard after the balls with the wet ground. I thought Luke Maile did a pretty good job behind the plate. He was charged with two passed balls and Feierabend had one wild pitch. It's unfortunate that Josh Thole is no longer on the team.
• The Blue Jays had a couple of chances offensively with a runner on 3rd with two outs in the 2nd, and back-to-back walks in the 4th, only to have the next two batters pop out.
• One silver lining from today's rain-shortened game: no relievers were used, which could be huge in the next few days depending on the status of Aaron Sanchez, and already missing two starters in Matt Shoemaker and Clay Buchholz.
• Up next, the Blue Jays wrap up the road trip, sending righty Trent Thornton, who got his first career win five days ago, to the mound. The White Sox will counter with righty Reynaldo Lopez. It's quite possible tomorrow's game may be delayed, but there's expected to be a window of optimal weather to get the game in.