Game #111 Toronto Blue Jays (44-67) @ Baltimore Orioles (36-72) - game recap

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had another big day at the plate with a 3-5 effort, 2 runs scored and 4 RBI as the Blue Jays clobbered the Orioles 11-2

After sweeping the KC Royals, the Blue Jays rolled into Baltimore to face the Orioles for four. They are also one of the few teams below Toronto in the AL East and MLB standings overall. The trade deadline was largely as expected with Eric Sogard, Daniel Hudson, Marcus Stroman, David Phelps, Joe Biagini and prospect Cal Stevenson all headed to greener pastures. OF Derek Fisher, who was acquired in the Sanchez/Biagini/Stevenson trade was added to the active roster, but was not in the lineup tonight. Trent Thronton was activated after spending 10 days on the IL with elbow inflammation and started tonight. Lefty Buddy Boshers and righty Jason Adam were recalled to replace Husdon and Biagini in the bullpen. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was not in the lineup after injuring his knee and leaving the game early yesterday. Bo Bichette got the half day off, serving as the DH tonight with Freddy Galvis returning to the field at shortstop after a couple of days at DH to rest a stiff lower back. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 4? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. crushed a 2-run bomb to dead center also scoring Cavan Biggio
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 2nd as Bo Bichette singled home Freddy Glavis
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 5th as Randal Grichuk cranked a solo blast to left-center
• Asher Wojciechowski pitching line: 4.2IP 6H 4R (all earned) 3BB 5K 90 pitches (60 for strikes)
• The Orioles got one back in the bottom of the 5th as Hanser Alberto scored on a ground out by Jonathan Villar
• The Blue Jays added three more runs in the top of the 6th as Danny Jansen Smash a three-run bom to left also scoring Teoscar Hernandez and Billy McKinney
• Three batters later, Guerrero Jr. doubled scoring Biggio
• Trent Thornton pitching line: 6IP 5H 1R (earned) 0BB 2K 87 pitches (58 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 8th as Guerrero Jr. hammered a soo bomb to left
• The Orioles got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Trey Mancini smashed a solo blast to right-center
• The Blue Jays added two more runs in the top of the 9th as McKinney whacked a two-run jack to right-center also scoring Hernandez
• Final score: Blue Jays 11 Orioles 2.

My Take:

• Trent Thornton threw 6 sharp innings in his return from the IL after a 10-day stint with elbow inflammation. He allowed 1 run on 5 hits while walking none and striking out 2. He had great command and all his pitches were working tonight. Like the rest of the pitchers in the starting rotation, he will be playing for a job next season. That should provide a ton of motivation.
• The Blue Jays got more bad injury news as Randal Grichuk fouled a ball off his mouth. He immediately went down, grabbing his mouth, which was bleeding. Hopefully he doesn;t have a concussion. Derek Fisher was pressed into action in a bad situation, with 2 strikes against him. He ended up striking out (the strike out went to Grichuk) Fisher did not get a ball hit to him.
• Buddy Boshers, pitching in the majors for the first time since 2017, and Jason Adam, who made 31 appearances in the majors last season, both made their Blue Jays debut, throwing an inning each of relief. Boshers threw a scoreless inning, giving up a pair of runs and striking out a pair. Adam gave up a lead off HR, then retired the next three batters he faced.
• The young guns carried the Blue Jays in this one. Bo Bichette was 2-5 with a walk and an RBI. He displayed some heads up base running, taking the extra bag in the 9th when the Orioles were slow to field the ball. Cavan Biggio was 2-6 with a pair of runs scored. He did strike out three times. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was 3-5, with 2 runs scored and 4 RBI. Two of his hits were for home runs. Danny Jansen was 3-5, including a 3-run jack. Billy McKinney was 2-5 with 2 runs scored and 2RBI.
• Every Blue Jays starter got on base at least once.
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to make it five in a row, which would become the new longest winning streak of the season. Righty Aaron Brooks will start for the Orioles, while the Blue Jays will have a bullpen day with Wilmer Font and Sam Gaviglio both likely pitching.