Justin Smoak was 2-3, including a solo HR to help lead the Blue Jays to a 3-1 win over the Braves
After a suboptimal road trip that saw the Blue Jays win just once in 6 tries, the Blue Jays returned home to start a week of reunions. Tonight, Josh Donaldson made his return to Toronto, playing in the 6ix for the 1st time since the 2018 trade deadline deal to Cleveland (he signed with Atlanta in the off-season. Tonight's starter for the Braves was Canadian righty Mike Soroka. Freddie Freeman, who's parents are Canadian is also playing in this series, as is Vlad (born in Montreal when his father was playing for the Expos. Alex Antropolous, who was largely responsible for building the 2015 and 2016 Blue Jays teams, is also back in town. Tonight, the Blue Jays had another bullpen day with Wilmer Font getting the ball first. The infield of the future (and present) was playing tonight with Rowdy Tellez at 1B, Cavan Biggio at 2B, Bo Bichette at SS and Vlad occupying the hot corner. Reese McGuire got the start behind the plate. Could the Blue Jays snap the 1 game losing streak? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Singled home Bo Bichette
- Three batters later, Justin Smoak singled home Cavan Biggio
- Wilmer Font pitching line: 2IP 1H 0R 0BB 4K 30 pitches (20 for strikes); Zack Godley pitched the next three innings allowing 2 hits, walking two and striking out three
- Mike Soroka pitching line: 6IP 8H 2R (both earned) 0BB 1K 79 pitches (56 for strikes)
- The Braves got one back in the top of the 7th on a ground-rule double by Ozzie Albies that scored Tyler Flowers
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom half of the inning as Justin Smoak smoked a solo blast to the second deck in left
- Ken Giles pitched a scoreless 9th for his 17th save of the season.
- Final score: Blue Jays 3 Braves 1
My Take
- The "opener" pitching method worked well tonight with Wilmer Font and 6 relievers giving up 1 run on 7 hits while walking 5 and striking out 10. They held Ronald Acuna Jr., Dosh, and Freddie Freeman to 1 hit in 13 combined AB. Acuna Jr. struck out three times and Freeman struck out once.
- Speaking of striking out, Blue Jays batters struck out a season-low 4 times.
- Bo Bichette extended his hitting streak to 4 games, but the extra-base hit streak was stopped at 2 games
- Cavan Biggio (2-3, run scored, 1 walk), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (2-4, RBI), Justin Smoak (2-3, solo HR, 1 walk) and Reese McGuire (2-2, 1 walk) all had good days at the plate
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to sweep this mini series as Jacob Waguespack pitches against Braves righty Mike Foltynewicz
