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| Randal Grichuk hit a walk-off two-run HR as the Blue Jays came from behind to defeat the Orioles 4-3 in 10 innings |
Super quick preamble as it's getting late. After a postponement to protest against the cop shootings on black people, the Blue Jays were back in action, starting a weekend set against the Baltimore Orioles, who they swept a couple of weeks ago in Baltimore. Appropriately enough, teams celebrated Jackie Robinson, who, of course, broke the color barrier in 1974. Pitching help is on the way as the Blue Jays acquired Mariners right Taijuan Walker from the Seattle Mariners. The Blue Jays were left scrambling this week with Nate Pearson, Trent Thornton and Matt Shoemaker all ailing. Pearson might be the closest of the three to returning. Brandon Drury was optioned to Buffalo and Anthony Alford was claimed off waivers by Pittsburgh, bringing an end to his time as a Blue Jay. Tonight, Hyun-Jin Ryu got the start. Vlad was back in the field after a day and a half off (served as the DH Wednesday and everyone took Thursday off to boycott). Danny Jansen was also back behind the plate after Reese McGuire played Wednesday. Rowdy Tellez served as DH tonight. Could the Blue Jays make it two in a row and four straight against Baltimore? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 4th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. smacked a solo blast to right
- A batter later, Teoscar Hernandez cranked a solo bomb to dead center
- John Means pitching line: 4IP 4H 2R (both earned) 1BB 3K 74 pitches (47 for strikes)
- The Orioles tied the game in the top of the 6th as Ryan Mountcastle singled home Hanser Alberto and Jose Iglesias
- The Blue Jays retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning on a wild pitch by Tanner Scott that scored Guerrero Jr.
- Hyun Jiun Ryu pitching line: 6IP 8H 2R (both earned) 1BB 3K 98 pitches (65 for strikes)
- The Orioles tied the game in the top of the 8th as Renato Nunez cracked a liner to left
- The Orioles took the lead in the top of the 10th on an infield single by Alberto that plated Rio Ruiz
- The Blue Jays walked it off in the bottom half of the inning as Randal Grichuk smashed a 2-run blast to dead center; also scoring Reese McGuire
- Final score: Blue Jays 4 Orioles 3 (10 innings)
My Take:
- Hyun Jin Ryu pitched his way in and out of trouble all night - he was pitching on an extra day or two of rest, so perhaps his stuff wasn't as sharp. Ryu threw 6 innings, giving up 2 runs on 8 hits while walking 1 and striking out three. More important, he threw the most pitches in a start this season. I'm sure the team will see how he feels tomorrow
- This was a back and forth game. Every time the Blue Jays scored, the Orioles tied the game two innings later. In the 10th, the Orioles got one run, but the Blue Jays answered with 2 in their half of the inning.
- Daniel Vogelbach made his Blue Jays debut, pinch hitting for Danny Jansen in the 9th. Going forward, he'll probably platoon with Vlad and Rowdy at 1B/DH. There may be days where Vlad gets the complete day off (who knows maybe he's playing through a minor injury and that's why the Blue Jays made the deal, or maybe they aren't sure they want to move forward with Rowdy Tellez in the long-term). Tellez was 0-4 today and struck out twice. Vlad gave the Blue Jays the lead twice and is improving at 1B.
- Up next, the Blue Jays look to make it three in a row. Taijuan Walker gets his first start as a Blue Jay after being acquired today. The Orioles will counter with righty Alex Cobb.
