Game #109 Toronto Blue Jays (42-67) @ Kansas City Royals (40-69) - game recap

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit the grand slam that set the new MLB record for most grand slams by rookies on a team in a single season as the Blue Jays routed the Royals 9-2

Another Blue Jay was on the move this morning with David Phelps heading to the north side of Chicago as the newest member of the Cubs. Ken Giles was effectively taken off the trade market as the injury update revealed no structural damage in his pitching elbow, but he had a cortisone shot and will not pitch at least the remainder of this series. Justin Smoak was absent from the lineup with several teams pursuing him and an expected trade. Freddy Galvis was back in the lineup after missing a day with lower back stiffness. He served as the DH tonight. A day after making his MLB debut, Bo Bichette was at the top of the order and playing SS. Sean Reid-Foley got the spot start tonight in a rotation spot that is his for the taking, pending on performance. Could the Blue Jays make it two in a row? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Lourdes Gurriel Jr. singled home Bo Bichette
• Two batters later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled scoring Randal Grichuk
• The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the top of the 5th as Freddy Galvis singled home Brandon Drury and Danny Jansen
• Mike Montgomery pitching line: 4.1IP 7H 4R (all earned) 1BB 4K 78 pitches (54 for strikes)
• Sean Reid Foley pitching line: 5IP 4H 0R 4BB 4K 92 pitches (58 for strikes)
• The Royals got one back in the bottom of the 8th as Meibrys Viloria doubled home Nicky Lopez
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 9th as Danny Jansen scored on a fielding error by Royals SS Humberto Arteaga
• A batter later, Guerrero Jr. hammered a grand slam to left also scoring Galvis, Gurriel Jr. and Grichuk. The Grand slam set a new MLB record for most team grand slams by rookies in a single season. It was the 5th grand slam hit by a rookie this season. Vlad now has 2, Rowdy Tellez has 2 and Cavan Biggio has one
• Final score: Blue Jays 9 Royals 2

My Take:

• Sean Reid-Foley battled his way in and out of trouble, throwing 5 shutout innings while scattering 4 hits and walking 4. He was effectively wild tonight, and escaped without giving up a run in spite of his lack of command. The rotation is considerably weakened with the returns in the three trades bringing back prospects that won't be ready to play in the MLB for at least a season or more. It's possible more trades in the final 17 some odd hours could bring back an MLB ready pitcher, but it's unlikely.
• Once again, the Blue Jays bats came up huge late with a 5-spot in the 9th, including the aforementioned grand slam by Vlad. This Blue Jays team could surprise a few teams late as the roster is now full of young players who have nothing to lose and everything to gain. The rookies are trying to make a huge impression in their first taste of the MLB and the veterans and pitchers are essentially playing for roster spots next year.
• Vlad, Bo Bichette and Freddy Galvis (who had a rough first AB after fouling a ball off his foot) combined for 6 hits, 3 runs and 7RBI.
• Up next, the Blue Jays go for the rare series sweep. Expect Reese McGuire to start behind the plate with a short turnaround. Jacob Waguespack gets the start against Royals righty Jakob Junis