Game #65 Arizona Diamondbacks (34-32) @ Toronto Blue Jays (23-42) - game recap

Tim Locastro hit a three run triple and scored himself a batter later as the Diamondbacks routed the Blue Jays 8-2

The Blue Jays were looking to avoid being swept in 2 of 3 series after dropping the first two.. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was not in the lineup today, taking away arguably the Blue Jays best offensive weapon. It was a lefty-lefty matchup Sunday with Clayton Richard pitching against Robbie Ray. Could the Blue Jays wrap up the homestand with a win? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Lourdes Gurriel Jr. smack a solo shot to left-center
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 2nd as Danny Jansen doubled home Freddy Galvis
• The Diamondbacks got one back in the top of the 3rd as Ketel Marte slammed a solo shot to left-center just two pitches after he just hooked one foul
• Five batters later, Kevin Cron singled home David Peralta and Eduardo Escobar
• Two batters later, Tim Locastro tripled home Jarrod Dyson, Christian Walker and Cron
• A batter later, Carsom Kelly crushed a two-run bomb to the second deck in left also scoring Locastroi
• Clayton Richard pitching line: 2.2IP 7H 7R (all earned) 2BB 2K 70 pitches (44 for strikes)
• Robbie Ray pitching line: 6.2IP 5H 2R (both earned) 1BB 10K 107 pitches (67 for strikes)
• Final score: Diamondbacks 8 Blue Jays 2

My Take:

• In one ugly inning, the Blue Jays went from being up 2 to a 6 run deficit that they never made a dent in. Clayton Richard more or less cruised through the first two innings throwing just 26 pitches and scattering a pair of hits. After striking out Carson Kelly, Richard got into a battle with Ketel Martel, which ended with a Martel home run. After that, Richard got a ground out and then fell apart completely, giving up six more runs on 4 hits and a pair of walks (the final run charged to him was actually the fault of Thomas Pannone who immediately gave up a 2-run bomb). In total, Richard threw 44 pitches in that inning.
• The Blue Jays actually got to Robbie Ray, scoring twice in the course of the first two innings. However, they had a grand total of 2 base runners between the 2nd and 7th innings. Four of the seven hits were for extra bases (solo HR and 3 doubles).  Danny Jansen had a good day at the plate with a 2-3 effort and a walk. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. also had a good day at the plate withe a pair of hits, including the HR that opened the scoring.
• Up next, after an off day tomorrow, the Blue Jays start a series in Baltimore Tuesday. The Blue Jays won 1 of 3 vs. the Orioles back in the beginning of April. Matt Shoemaker got the win that day and of course he won't be available. Trent Thornton will start the opener vs. the Orioles, who have not yet announced the pitchers for this series.