Game #68 Toronto Blue Jays (25-43) @ Baltimore Orioles (21-47) - game recap

Danny Jansen was 3-5 with 3  runs scored and a pair of RBI as the Blue Jays routed the Orioles 12-3

After a nerve-wracking win yesterday where the Blue Jays almost blew a 6 run lead (tying run was on 2nd with no one out) the Blue Jays were back at it with ace Marcus Stroman on the bump. The Blue Jays acquired righty Nick Kingham from the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash considerations. Ryan Tepera was transferred to the 60 day IL to make room on the roster. Elvis Luciano was placed on the 10 day IL with an elbow sprain/forearm tightness. Justin Shafer was recalled to take his spot in the bullpen. Danny Jansen was behind the plate and Cavan Biggio was in right field and batting 7th. Teosar Hernandez was the only natural outfielder playing in this one. Could the Blue Jays take two in a row from the worst team in the majors? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Cavan Biggio whacked a solo shot over the wall in right
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 3rd as Lourdes Gurriel Jr. singled home Danny Jansen
• The Orioles got one back ni the bottom half of the inning as Anthony Santander singled scoring Richie Martin
• The Orioles tied the game in the bottom of the 5th as Santander singled home Chris Davis
• The Blue Jays took the lead back in the top of the 6th as Gurriel Jr. whacked a solo shot to dead center
• Gabriel Ynoa pitching line: 5IP 7H 3R (all earned) 0BB 1K 92 pitches (56 for strikes)
• Five batters later, Freddy Galvis doubled scoring Rowdy Tellez and Teoscar Hernandez
• A batter later, Jansen singled home Biggio and Galvis
• Two batters later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled home Jansen
• Two batters later, Justin Smoak singled home Eric Sogard
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 7th as Biggio whacked his second solo shot of the game to right
• Four batters later, Galvis scored on a sac fly by Guerrero Jr.
• A batter later, Gurriel Jr. singled home Jansen
• Marcus Stroman pitching line: 6IP 7H 2R (1 earned) 0BB 5K 105 pitches (64 for strikes)
• The Orioles got one back in the bottom of the 8th as Chance Sisco jacked a solo bomb to right-center
• Final score: Blue Jays 12 Orioles 3

My Take:

• Marcus Stroman had a strong start tossing six innings, giving up 2 runs (just one earned) on 7 hits while striking out 5. His command was on point as he did not issue a walk today. How many more starts will Stroman make in a Blue Jays uniform. The team is definitely listening to offers and with every start like tonight, Stroman's trade value will only rise.
• For the second night in a row, the Blue Jays had two big innings in a row. Tonight, in the 6th and 7th innings, they combined for 10 runs on 11 hits and 3 walks, plus a sac fly by Vlad. Eric Sogard, Vlad, Cavan Biggio, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Danny Jansen all had multiple hits. Every Blue Jay starter had at least one hit. Not to be a Debbie downer, but the Orioles don't exactly have a ton of Cy Young candidates on their pitching staff. Nonetheless, hopefully the offensive outburst can be a confidence boost for a much tougher test against the world series champs of 2018. 
• Up next, the Blue Jays head to Houston, where they will face a stiff weekend test. Aaron Sanchez will start the opener of this series against Astros righty Garrett Cole.