Game #70 Toronto Blue Jays (25-45) @ Houston Astros (48-23) - game recap

Jack Mayfueld was 3-4, scoring three times and knocking in one run himself as the Astros defeated the Blue Jays 7-2

After an extremely rough game made worse by an injury scare to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who was drilled with a 96MPH fastball (not surprisingly he was out of the lineup today), the Blue Jays were back at it this afternoon trying not to embarrass themselves against this powerhouse team. Clayton Richard was on the bump looking for a much better start than five days ago. Danny Jansen was behind the plate catching the veteran lefty. Could the Blue Jays pull off a massive upset? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Astros opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Jack Mayfield doubled home Tyler White 
• A batter later, Mayfield scored on a fielding error by Cavan Biggio
• The Astros added a run in the bottom of the 3rd as Yordan Alvarez cranked a solo blast to right-center
• The Astros added a run in the bottom of the 4th as Myles Straw doubled scoring Mayfield. 
• A batter later, Alex Bregman singled scoring Straw
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 5th as Brandon Drury singled home Freddy Galvis
• A batter later, Cavan Biggio scored on a sac fly by Eric Sogard
• Clayton Richard pitching line: 5IP 7H 5R (all earned) 2BB 1K 83 pitches (50 for strikes)
• The Astros added a run in the bottom of the 6th as Josh Reddick whacked a solo blast to right-center
• Three batters later, Straw singled home Mayfield
• Framber Valdez pitching line: 6IP 4H 2R (both earned) 2BB 8K 82 pitches (51 for strikes)
• Final score: Astros 7 Blue Jays 2

My Take:

• Clayton Richard had a better start than last outing, pitching five innings allowing 5 runs on seven hits and a pair of walks. While it's not great that he allowed 5 runs, the more important stat is getting through five innings. It's a bit concerning that he only struck out one batter (meaning his stuff was not overpowering by any means)
• The offence left a lot to be desired. The Blue Jays had at least one base runner reach safely in every inning but the 3rd and 7th innings, yet they could only cash in a pair of runs in the 5th. Eric Sogard and Freddy Galvis both had a pair of hits. Teoscar Hernandez drew a pair of walks and was ninety feet from home after some heads up base running advancing from 1st to 3rd on a wild pitch in the 6th. Cavan Biggio and Brandon Drury had the other two hits today. The Blue Jays can't expect the pitchers to throw a perfect game. They need to give the starters some offensive support.
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to avoid being swept for the 4th time in the last 6 series. Trent Thornton will get the start, looking for the elusive 2nd win of his young career. The Astros will counter with Veteran righty Brad Peacock, who has been a formidable foe at home (3-1 with a 2.90ERA in home starts this season. The Astros are 6-1 in the last 7 home starts for Peacock.