Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Game #34 Toronto Blue Jays (18-16) @ Miami Marlins (16-15) - game recap

 

Vlad hit a pair of singles in a 3-2 loss to the Marlins

As expected after a busy trade deadline yesterday, the Blue Jays made a series of moves to create space on the active roster. Jacob Waguespack was optioned and added to the taxi squad. Jonathan Davis, Alejandro Kirk and Patrick Murphy were added to the taxi squad. Brandon Drury, Daniel Vogelbach and Sam Gaviglio were all DFA'd. Jonathan Villar and Robbie Ray were added to the active roster. There were also several injury updates. Trent Thornton underwent surgery to remove loose bodies from hos elbow and is done for the season. Bo Bichette did some sprints, took ground balls and hit in the batting cage Tuesday. Ken Giles threw a bullpen to live hitters and felt well after. He'll do it again Saturday in Boston. Finally Nate Pearson progressed to throwing 120 feet. For today, Julian Merryweather got the start in a bullpen day for the Blue Jays. Charlie Montoyo thinks the team will ease newcomer Robbie Ray in with a relief appearance, before likely joining the rotation. Villar jumped right in the deep end, batting 3rd and playing SS tonight. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Rowdy Tellez at 1B. Derek Fisher was in RF and Reese McGuire got the start behind the plate. Could the Blue Jays start the road trip with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

  • The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st on a groundout by Jonathan Villar that scored Cavan Biggio
  • Elieser Hernandez pitching line: 2IP 2H 1R (earned) 1BB 2K 39 pitches (24 for strikes)
  • Julian Merryweather pitching line: 2IP 0H 0R 1BB 3K 31 pitches (21 for strikes
  • The Marlins tied the game in the bottom of the 3rd as Jon Berti smashed a solo bomb to dead center
  • The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 4th on a sac fly by Derek Fisher that scored Rowdy Tellez
  • The Marlins retied it in the bottom of the 6th as Garrett Cooper doubled home Starling Marte 
  • The Marlins took the lead in the bottom of the 8th as Marte cranked a solo blast to left-center
  • Brandon Kintzler pitched a perfect 9th for his 8th save of the season
  • Final score: Marlins 3 Blue Jays 2
My Take:

  • Julian Merryweather had a solid outing, walking a batter and striking out 3 over the 1st 2 innings. Based on a small sample size, Merryweather has a bright future ahead of him.
  • This one turned into a battle of the bullpens when Marlins starter Elieser Hernandez called for the trainer after throwing three balls to the first batter he faced in the 3rd inning. Hernandez left with a back strain
  • Robbie Ray was decent in his Blue Jays debut, firing 3.1 innings, allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits while Pete Walker can iron out the kinks
  • Jonathan Villar's debut wasn't as great. He was 0-4 at the plate (drove in a run with a ground out) and made a costly error to start the 6th that eventually led to a tying run
  • Reese McGuire continues to struggle at the plate - he was 0-3 today and is batting a paltry .083
  • Up next, the Blue Jays go for the series split. Ace Hyun-jin Ryu gets the start against Marlins righty Sixto Sanchez.