Game #51 San Diego Padres (27-24) @ Toronto Blue Jays (20-31) - game recap

Hunter Renfroe cranked a three-run HR in the top of the 8th as the Padres doubled up on the Blue Jays 6-3

It was another big day for the Blue Jays rebuild project 2019. Cavan Biggio, son of Craig Biggio, made his big league debut batting 8th and playing second base. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. also returned to the Blue Jays lineup -- in the outfield. I'm really hoping Gurriel Jr. doesn't go the way of Chuck Knoblauch, who like Gurriel Jr. experienced the yips on defense, including a stint in the outfield. Billy McKinney and Richard Urena were both optioned to Buffalo. Ryan Feierabend was DFA'd after two suboptimal outings. Elvis Luciano was placed on the bereavement list, and waiver wire pickup, lefty Zac Rosscup was placed on the roster. Finally, Thomas Pannone was also called back up. The Padres also recalled their #9 prospect, fellow Canadian Josh Naylor, who was DH'ing and batting 6th tonight. Could the Blue Jays take the opener of this weekend series Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Padres opened the scoring in the top of the 3rd as Austin Hedges whacked a solo shot to left
• Four batters later, Eric Hosmer singled home Franmil Reyes
• The Padres added a run in the top of the 5th as Greg Garcia hammered one off the basing of the second deck
• The Blue Jays got two back in the bottom half of the inning as Freddy Galvis sent one over the wall in left-center; also scoring Randal Grichuk
• A batter later, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. knocked one over the wall in right-center
• Trent Thornton pitching line: 6IP 4H 3R (all earned) 3BB 10K 112 pitches (62 for strikes)
• Joey Lucchesi pitching line: 6.2IP 3H 3R (all earned) 1BB 11K 95 pitches (66 for strikes)
• The Padres added a trio of runs in the top of the 8th as Hunter Renfroe smashed a three-run blast into the Blue Jays bullpen also scoring Manny Machado and Hosmer
• Craig Stanmen pitched a scoreless 9th for his 2nd save of the season
• Final score: Padres 6 Blue Jays 3

My Take:

• Trent Thornton pitched a strong game, setting a new career high with 10 strikeouts. He also allowed three runs on 4 hits and a trio of walks. This is the third straight game pitching into the 6th inning. He has really come into his own after a few rough starts to start his career.
• Cavan Biggio was 0-3 with a pair of strikeouts (mind you everyone struck out at least once). Like Vlad did, Cavan probably needs a few games yo adjust to this level of pitching.
• This was one of the poorer displays of plate discipline the team has displayed in a while. Players appeared to be anxious to hit and were swinging at bad pitches. Padres starter Joey Lucchesi was tossing a perfect game until Randal Grichuk took a 4 pitch walk. The next batter, Freddy Galvis ended the no-hit and shutout bid on one swing. And the batter after that, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. took away the W.
• The Blue Jays had exactly 2 base runners after the 5th inning (a 2 out single by Freddy Galvis in the 7th and Justin Smoak was hit by a pitch in the 9th)
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to even the three game series with Edwin Jackson getting his second start as a Blue Jay. The Padres will counter with righty Cal Quantrill, son of ex-Blue Jays reliever Paul Quantrill.