Game #158 Baltimore Orioles (52-106) @Toronto Blue Jays (64-94) - game recap

Dwight Smith Jr. haunted his former team, going 3-4 with 2 runs scored and 3RBI as the Orioles routed the Blue Jays 11-4

After an epic 15 inning marathon game that ended in the most improbable way -- with an Anthony Alford HR (the first of his career). Both starters were knocked out by the 5th inning after giving up a combined 12 runs on 12 hits with 4 walks between them. After the game, it was revealed that Lourdes Gurriel Jr.'s season had come to an end due to appendicitis. Bo Bichette may have also played his last game as he continues to work through MLB's concussion protocol. Breyvic Valera, picked up last week on waivers from the Yankees, made his first start in a Blue Jays uniform, batting leadoff and at SS. Vlad got the half day off, serving as the DH with Brandon Drury at the got corner. Reese McGuire was behind the plate after Danny Jansen played the bulk of last night's marathon. Rowdy Tellez got the start at 1B and Anthony Alford was awarded with a start in CF. Derek Fisher also got a start in LF (I guess Montoyo is in a forgiving mood?) Could the Blue Jays make it five in a row vs. the Orioles? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game highlights:

• The Orioles opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Renato Nunez doubled home Trey Mancini and Jonathan Villar
• Two batters later, Dwight Smith Jr. singled scoring Nunez
• Thomas Pannone pitching line: 1IP 4H 3R (all earned) 0BB 0K 16 pitches (13 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 2nd as Derek Fisher lined a HR out to right
• The Orioles added a run in the top of the 4th as Smith Jr. smacked a solo blast to right-center
• Three batters later, Austin Wynns hammered a solo bomb to dead center
• The Orioles added two more runs in the top of the 6th as DJ Stewart smashed a 2-run shot to right also scoring Smith Jr.
• Five batters later, Trey Mancini singled home Stevie Wilkerson
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 6th as Breyvic Valera singled home Anthony Alford
• The Orioles added a run in the top of the 8th as Rio Ruiz singled home Austin Hays
• A batter later, Smith Jr. singled home Mancini
• A batter later, Stewart singled scoring Ruiz
• Dylan Bundy pitching line: 7IP 3H 2R (both earned) 2BB 6K 86 pitches (56 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 9th as Reese McGuire doubled scoring Jonathan Davis
• Two batters later, Rowdy Tellez singled scoring McGuire
• Final score: Orioles 11 Blue Jays 4

My take:

• Initially, Anthony Kay was supposed to start this one, but he had to be scratched late due to a back issue. Instead, the Blue Jays had a bullpen day and used 8 pitchers after the marathon game last night. Thomas Pannone was lit up for 3 runs on 4 hits to put the Blue Jays in an early hole. Ryan Tepera was the only pitcher to have a clean inning. Everyone else allowed at least a hit or a walk.
• Trey Mancini, Dwight Smith Jr. and DJ Stewart combined for 10 hits, 5 runs and 7RBI.
• Rowdy Tellez was the only Blue Jay to get on base multiple times
• The Blue Jays scored a pair in the final inning, but it was too little, too late 
• Up next, the Blue Jays wrap up the season series against Baltimore. Gabriel Ynoa pitches against Blue Jays righty Jacob Waguespack.