Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Game #157 Baltimore Orioles (51-106) @Toronto Blue Jays (64-93) - game recap

Anthony Alford hit a walk-off HR in the 15th as the Blue  Jays came from behind to defeat the Orioles 11-10

The Blue Jays kicked off the final week of play for the 2019 season with a tilt against the lowly Orioles, who are destined for their second consecutive 100+ loss season. Bo Bichette remained out of the lineup as he continues to progress through the MLB's concussion protocol. Billy McKinney batted leadoff and was in RF with Randal Grichuk getting the half day off, serving as the DH tonight. Brandon Drury took Bichette's spot at SS. Danny Jansen was behind the plate and Clay Buchholz got the start on the mound. He should have one more start on the weekend. Rowdy Tellez got the start at 1B. Could the Blue Jays snap the 2-game losing and make it 4 in a row vs. the Orioles (they swept them a week ago in Baltimore). Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:
  • The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the 1st as Randal Grichuk hammered a 3-run bomb to the second deck in left also scoring Billy McKinney and Cavan Biggio
  • The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 2nd as Brandon Drury smashed a solo blast to dead center
  • A batter later, Jonathan Davis clobbered a solo jack to the second deck in left
  • The Orioles got three back in the top of the 3rd as Austin Hays slammed a 3-run blast off the basing of the 2nd deck in right-center; also scoring Chance Sisco and Jonathan Villar
  • The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom half of the inning as Rowdy Tellez singled home Grichuk
  • Chandler Shepherd pitching line: 3IP 6H 6R (all earned) 1BB 2K 63 pitches (39 for strikes)
  • The Orioles got one back in the top of the 5th as Villar smashed a solo jack to right-center
  • A batter later, Hays lined one out to right
  • Three batters later, Rio Ruiz smacked a 2-run blast to left also scoring Anthony Santander
  • Clay Buchholz pitching line: 4IP 6H 6R (all earned) 3BB 4K 85 pitches (58 for strikes)
  • The Blue Jays tied the game in the bottom of the 7th as Biggio smashed a solo blast to right-center
  • The Orioles took the lead in the top of the 8th as Villar singled home Stevie Wilkerson
  • A batter later, Hayes singled scoring DJ Stewart
  • The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 9th as Davis scored on a sac fly by Biggio
  • Two batters later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled home Anthony Alford
  • The Orioles took the lead in the top of the 12th as Chris Davis smashed a solo bomb to dead center
  • The Blue Jays tied it in the bottom half of the inning on a sac fly by Davis that scored Guerrero Jr.
  • The Blue Jays walked it off in the bottom of the 15th as Anthony Alford hammered a solo bomb to left-center. It was also his first career HR
  • Final score: Blue Jays 11 Orioles 10
My Take:
  • Both starters, Clay Buchholz and Chandler Shepherd allowed 6 runs on 6 hits and a trio of HR. The difference appears to be that Buchholz walked an extra two batters (3 vs. 1). Buchholz might as well pitch his last start, unless he has some physical ailment that's making him less effective. He probably won't get re-signed in the off-season
  • This was the longest game of the season, surpassing the game on May 22 that went 13 innings
  • The game came within five minutes of going longer than the late NHL game between the Canucks and Senators
  • Jason Adam is now 3-0
  • Billy McKinney (2-5, run scored), Anthony Alford (2-3, 2 runs scored including walk-off, stolen base), Cavan Biggio (1-3, 2 runs scored, 2 RBI, 3 walks), Randal Grichuk (2 runs scored, including big 3-run HR to give the Blue Jays a very early lead), and Jonathan Davis (1-4, 2 runs scored, 2RBI) all had great days at the plate
  • Up next the Blue Jays go for the series win and 5th straight victory over the hapless Orioles. Righty Dylan Bundy pitches against lefty Anthony Kay (Wilmer Font might start as the opener too)