Game #53 San Diego Padres (28-25) @ Toronto Blue Jays (21-32) - game recap

Justin Smoak had a pair of HR and 5RBI as the Blue Jays trounced the Padres 10-1

A day after being clobbered by the Padres, who set a new franchise record with 7 HR, the Blue Jays were looking to wrap up the homestand with a victory. This game was supposed to feature three of the great young prospects: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Cavan Biggio facing Padres righty Chris Paddack, but Paddack was a late scratch with a stiff neck. Eric Sogard was back in the lineup and batting leadoff after a few days off to rest his ailing thumb. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. got the half day off serving as the DH today. Could the Blue Jays avoid being swept? Prior to this one, Tim Mayza was put on the IL with a UCL issue. Here is today\s game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Lourdes Gurriel Jr. scored on a fielder's choice hit by Brandon Drury 
• Robbie Erlin pitching line: 2IP 3H 1R (earned) 1BB 2K 41 pitches (21 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 4th as Gurriel Jr. crushed a solo bomb to left
• A batter later, Cavan Biggo hammered his first career HR off the right foul pole
• The Padres got one back in the top of the 5th as Wil Myers annihilated one to the second deck in left-center
• The Blue Jays got a pair of runs in the bottom of the 5th as Justin Smoak smoked a 2-run bomb to right center also scoring Eric Sogard
• Three batters later, Gurriel Jr. doubled home Randal Grichuk
• A batter later, Biggio singled scoring Gurriel Jr.
• Marcus Stroman pitching line: 5IP 5H 1R (earned) 1BB 2K 89 pitches (53 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a trio of runs in the bottom of the 8th as Smoak smoked a 3-run bomb to right also scoring Drury and Guerrero Jr.
• Final score: Blue Jays 10 Padres 1 

My Take:

• Marcus Stroman had a solid outing giving up 1 run on 5 hits and a walk over five innings. I'm guessing Montoyo pulled Stroman a tad early for a couple of reasons. First, in both his last 2 starts, he threw over 100 pitches. Second, when Montoyo allowed Stroman to go out an extra inning, the opponent knocked him around. Stroman needs to learn that Montoyo is the boss and not have a hissy fit. 
• The bats came out and in a big way. The Blue Jays pounded 17 hits, scoring 10 times. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was a triple shy of the cycle. Vlad was 3-5, Biggio was 3-5, including his first carrer HR, Smoak unleashed separate three-run and two-run HR. Everyone in the lineup had at least one hit except Freddy Galvis and Danny Jansen.
• A day after a horrendous performance, the bullpen shut down the Padres offence, limiting them to 5 hits over the game's final 4 innings.
• Up next, the Blue Jays head to Tampa Bay for a matinee. Aaron Sanchez gets the start against the infamous Rays starter (probably Ryne Stanek or Yonny Chirnos).