Game #69 Toronto Blue Jays (25-44) @ Houston Astros (47-23) - game recap

Robinson Chirinos was 2-5 with 6 RBI and a run scored as the Astros routed the Blue Jays 15-2

The Blue Jays began a three game series against the red-hot Houston Astros tonight. Cavan Biggio returned home to Houston where his father Craig played 20 hall of fame seasons. Cavan served as bat boy as a young lad. Aaron Sanchez got the start (how would his troublesome finger hold up in the blistering heat?), Luke Maile was behind the plate. Randal Grichuk was in center fie;d between infielders-turned-outfielders Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Brandon Drury. Could the Blue Jays make it three in a row? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Astros took the lead in the bottom of the 1st as Robinson Chirinos singled home Alex Bregman and Michael Brantley
• A batter later, Yordan Alvarez scored on a sac fly by Josh Reddick
• The Astros added three more runs in the bottom of the 2nd as Bregman smashed a three-run bomb to left also scoring Tony Kemp and Jake Marisnick
• The Astros added two runs in the bottom of the 3rd as Kemp smack a two-run shot to right also scoring Reddick
• Aaron Sanchez pitching line: 3IP 6H 8R (all earned) 3BB 4K 69 pitches (42 for strikes)
• The Astros added two more runs in the bottom of the 4th as Alvarez whacked a two-run blast to dead center also scoring Yuli Gurriel
• The Blue Jays got two back in the top of the 5th as Cavan Biggio doubled home Freddy Galvis and Luke Maile
• Garrett Cole pitching line: 6IP 3H 2R (both earned) 2BB 10K 100 pitches (64 for strikes)
• The Astros added a run in the bottom of the 8th as Alvarez walked to force in Myles Straw
• A batter later, Chirinos crushed a grand slam to left-center also scoring Brantley, Gurriel and Alvarez
• Final score: Astros 15 Blue Jays 2

My Take: 

• The Blue Jays got an early scare in the 1st inning when Vlad was drilled on the left hand by a 100mph fastball. While he stayed and ran the bases and also played a half inning in the field, he was removed prior to the start of the 2nd inning. X-rays were negative and he was diagnosed with a contusion. The Blue Jays may opt to rest him a day or two. 
• It was another short day for Aaron Sanchez who struggled through three innings, allowing 8 runs on 6 hits and three walks (all three walks came around to score) while striking out three. He got off to a very poor start walking the first two batters of the game and throwing just 2 strikes on his first ten pitches.
• Not too much to say about the offensive effort tonight. The Blue Jays left the bases loaded in the first inning and cashed in two runs in the 5th on a double and stranded Cavan Biggio at second base. Freddy Galvis had a strong day at the plate with a pair of hits, scoring one of the two runs, and drawing a walk. Luke Maile, Biggio and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had the other three Blue Jays hits. Justin Smoak drew a walk.
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to even the series with another lefty-lefty matchup in store. Clay Richards will be looking to rebound from a rough outing in which he allowed 7 runs on 7 hits and a pair of walks over 2.2 innings. Blue Jays batters will have to contend with Framber Valdez, who has never faced the Blue Jays before.