Game #89 Baltimore Orioles (26-61) @ Toronto Blue Jays (33-56) - game recap

Chris Davis was 2-4 with a run scored and 3RBI as the Orioles knocked off the Blue Jays 4-1

Here we go. Last series before the all-star break and the end of the unofficial 1st half of the season. Marcus Stroman is likely done until after the all-star break as he is still nursing a pec injury. Meanwhile Aaron Sanchez, who starts tonight, has a very interesting deadline Monday. See, Monday he reaches five years of service and can refuse any move by the Blue Jays to the minors. If the Blue Jays option him on the weekend, and basically keep him there for the duration of the season, they gain an extra year of control to maybe build up the righty's trade value. Sanchez has struggle mightily this season to get through a batting order more than once. The 2nd and 3rd times through the order, batters are hitting north of .900. Quite frankly,  the Blue Jays need to do something, whether it be an IL stint, a trip to the minors, or moving to the bullpen. Another option could be using an opener followed by Sanchez. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. rolled his wrist and sat out in favor of Brandon Drury. Randal Grichuk missed is second straight game with a back problem (Eric Sogard took his spot in right.). Vlad was back in the lineup after a day off yesterday. Could the Blue Jays beat the lowly Orioles? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Orioles opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Chris Davis hammered a solo shot to dead center
• Three batters later, Jonathan Villar singled home Rio Ruiz
• Aaron Sanchez pitching line: 5IP 3H 2R (both earned) 4BB 5K 100 pitches (60 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 7th as Brandon Drury knocked one out and into the Blue Jays bullpen in left
• Dylan Bundy pitching line: 6.2IP 3H 1R (earned) 2BB 6K 96 pitches (64 for strikes)
• The Orioles added a pair of runs in the top of the 9th as Davis singled home Stevie Wilkerson and Renato Nunez
• Paul Fry pitched a perfect 9th for his 2nd save of the season. 
• Final score: Orioles 4 Blue Jays 1

My Take:

• Aaron Sanchez battled his way through five innings, allowing 2 runs, 3 hits, and 4 walks while striking out 5. He labored through the first 2 innings, taking 53 pitches to get 6 outs. He was much better in his final three innings, tossing 47, while allowing just a walk and a single. It's encouraging he was able to bounce back. However, this isn't exactly the Yankees lineup he was facing.
• The offense was just as troubling on this night. Case in point, Danny Jansen tripled to start the inning and was stranded at 3rd as the next three up were outs. Brandon Drury broke the shutout in the 7th smacking one into the Blue Jays bullpen. 
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to even the series as the Blue Jays turn to lefty Clayton Richard, going for his 3rd straight quality start. The Orioles will counter with righty Andrew Cashner