Game #125 Seattle Mariners (50-73) @ Toronto Blue Jays (52-73) - game recap

Jacob Waguespack threw 5.1 strong innings to lead the Blue Jays to a 7-3 victory over the Mariners

After taking 2 of 3 from Texas earlier this week, the Blue Jays opened a three game series against the Mariners, who they'll face in Seattle in a week. Toronto took the season series last yea 4-3, including 3 of 4 in Seattle, including my first MLB game, which was also the debut of Mike Hauschild, who pitched 6 innings of outstanding baseball in that game. He was lit up his next game six days later and hasn't pitched since. Last season's season series also saw Ladner, BC native James Paxton throw a no-hitter in Toronto. This year, the Mariners are pretty much destined to finish last in the AL West, ten games  worse than the 4th place Texas Rangers. They effectively cleaned house this season, stripping the roster of the veterans, trading away Guillermo Heredia, Mike Zunino, James Paxton, Alex Colombe, Robinson Cano, Edwin Diaz (who saved 57 games for the Marines in 2018), Juan Nicaso, Jean Segura, James Pazos, Ben Gamel, Jay Bruce, Edwin Encarnacion and Mike Leake all since the baseball season ended last year. All these moves left the Mariners with a roster filled with prospects, who may have been promoted prematurely simply to fill roster spots. The results speak for themselves. The Mariners have struggled to win 50 games, one game less than the Blue Jays. Dee Gordon, Mallex Smith, Kyle Seagar and injured vets Felix Hernandez (he's been hampered with a wonky shoulder the whole season) and Mitch Hanigar (ruptured his testicles a couple of months ago; he played his first rehab game yesterday and could be back by the rematch in Seattle next week) are the only names you'll probably recognize unless you really follow the minors.

Tonight, Jacob Waguespack got the start on the mound, while the Mariners elected to use an opener in righty Matt Wisler, who also opened yesterday in Detroit. After the off-day everyone you'd expect to be in the lineup on a regular basis was playing. Justin Smoak started at 1B, which is a bit odd given that Charlie Montoyo chatted with him after a recent game about potential reduced playing time and wanting to give Rowdy Tellez and possibly Billy McKinney a longer look at 1st base. Brandon Drury served as the DH tonight. Could the Blue Jays get right back on a winning note after a loss to Texas two days ago? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• Matt Wisler pitching line: 1IP 0H 0R 0BB 2K 12 pitches (10 for strikes). Wade LeBlanc threw the final 7 innings allowing 7 runs on 11 hits while walking 1 and striking out 3
• The Mariners opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Tim Lopes singled home Kyle Seagar and Daniel Vogelbach
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Brandon Drury singled home Justin Smoak
• A batter later, Derek Fisher smacked a 2-run blast to right-center also scoring Drury
• The Blue Jays added 2 more runs in the bottom of the 3rd as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. whacked a 2-run blast to left also scoring Cavan Biggio
• A batter later, Randal Grichuk smashed a solo blast to left-center
• Jacob Waguespack pitching line: 5.1IP 5H 2R (both earned) 1BB 5K 102 pitches (75 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 7th as Danny Jansen smacked one over the wall in left and into the Blue Jays bullpen
• The Mariners got one back in the top of the 8th as Mallex Smith singled scoring Dee Gordon
• Final score: Blue Jays 7 Mariners 3

My Take:

• Jacob Waguespack had a solid start, throwing 5.1 innings, allowing a pair of runs on 5 hits while walking 1 and striking out 5. The Blue Jays righty is slowly cementing his spot in the rotation next year. He's now 4-1 with a 4.20 ERA in 8 appearances (5 starts)
• The Blue Jays got at least one hit from everybody in the lineup except Bo Bichette, who was 0-4
• Cavan Biggio (2-4, run scored), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (2-4, 2-ruin HR), Randal Grichuk (solo HR, drew a walk), Teoscar Hernandez (2-4) and Derek Fisher (2-run HR) all had strong days at the plate
• Up next, the Blue Jays go for the series win.Trent Thornton gets the start against Mariners righty Reggie McLain