Game #131 Toronto Blue Jays (52-79) @ Seattle Mariners (55-74) - game recap

Teoscar Hernandez drove in a pair of runs in a losing effort as the Mariners came from behind to defeat the Blue Jays 7-4

After being swept by the LA Dodgers, the Blue Jays made their annual trip to Seattle to face a Mariners team that took 2 of 3 in Toronto a week ago. Trent Thornton got the start against Mariners lefty Justus Sheffield. Happy birthday to Billy McKinney, who got the day off as a Bday present. Cavan Biggio was moved to the 7th spot in the lineup with Derek Fisher batting 2nd. Vlad got the half day off, serving as the DH tonight. Justin Smoak was also back at 1B after 2 days in a row off. Reese McGuire got the start behind the plate. Could the Blue Jays snap the 5 game losing streak? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 1st as Justin Smoak singled home Bo Bichette
• A batter later, Teoscar Hernandez doubled scoring Derek Fisher
• The Mariners got one back in the bottom of the 2nd as Omar Narvaez swatted a solo blast to right
• Four batters later, Dee Gordon tripled home Jake Fraley
• The Blue Jays retook the lead in the top of the 3rd as Hernandez singled home Randal Grichuk
• The Mariners tied the game in the bottom half of the inning as Kyle Seagar doubled home JP Crawford
• Justus Sheffield pitching line: 4IP 7H 3R (all earned) 3BB 3K 86 pitches (51 for strikes)
• The Mariners took the lead in the bottom of the 5th as Crawford hammered a solo bomb to dead center
• Trent Thornton pitching line: 4IP 9H 4R (3 earned) 1BB 4K 80 pitches (50 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays tied the game in the top of the 6th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled home Reese McGuire
• The Mariners retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Seagar walked with the bases loaded to force in Gordon
• A batter later, Mallex Smith scored on a wild pitch by Tim Mayza
• Two batters later, Austin Nola scored on a wild pitch by Neil Ramirez
• Matt Magill pitched a perfect 9th for his 3rd save of the season
• Final score: Mariners 7 Blue Jays 4

My Take:

• Once again, consistency and command continue to plague Trent Thornton. Tonight, he gave up 4 runs (3 earned) on 9 hits while walking 1 and striking out 4. Simply put, too many pitches caught too much of the strike zone. He may be in a fight next year for a rotation spot with several arms in the minors, and Ryan Borucki waiting in the wings.
• Reese McGuire had a rough inning in the 6th, having 2 wild pitches squeak through his legs, leading to 2 runs.
• Offensively, the Blue Jays had a decent night, getting 11 hits (all but Brandon Drury got at least one hit). Bo Bichette had a 3-5 night, raising his average to .333 and his OPS to 1.023. Teoscar Hernandez also had a pair of hits and drove in 2 runs.
• The difference in this one was the Mariners drove in base runners more effectively than the Blue Jays tonight
• Not only is Seattle a "home" game in a road stadium with Blue Jays fans making the trip down to the Emerald city from BC, Reese McGuire hails from nearby Kent, WA.
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the six game losing streak with Felix Hernandez coming off the IL to start for the Mariners. The veteran righty has missed the bulk of the season with a shoulder injury. The Blue Jays will have another bullpen day, mixing and matching pitchers to get through, hopefully, just 9 innings. Wilmer Font will pitch as the opener.