Friday, September 11, 2020

Game # 44 New York Mets (21-24) @ Toronto Blue Jays (24-20) - game recap

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drove in the only Blue Jays run in an ugly 18-1 loss to the Mets


After a sorely needed off-day, the Blue Jays were back in action, taking on one of the best pitchers, righty Jacob DeGrom, in the game today. It also was supposed to be the "home" return of Marcus Stroman, but he opted out of the season a few weeks back. The Mets, despite being 4 games under .500, are in the hunt for a WC spot, 2.5 games back of Miami for the final playoff spot. Milwaukee and Colorado are both a half game ahead of NY and both 2 back of Miami. Lots of roster moves ahead of this one. Top catching prospect Alejandro  Kirk was promoted to the bigs (Caleb Joseph was subsequently designated for assignment). Ken Giles was also activated for the first time since July 27. Billy McKinney was DFA'd for the second time this season and Sean Reid-Foley was optioned to the taxi squad for Jacob Waguespack. Chase Anderson started for the Blue Jays, still looking for his 1st win of the season.  Vlad was back in the field after three consecutive days at DH. Look for him to play more in the field with Rowdy Tellez out for a while with a knee tendon strain. Cavan Biggio was in right field, covering for the injured Teoscar Hernandez, who is also expected to miss some time with an oblique strain. Travis Shaw was at his familiar position at the hot corner, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was back in LF, Jonathan Villar got the half day off serving as the DH, Danny Jansen was back behind the plate, Joe Panik got the start at 2B, Santiago Espinal was at SS (Bo Bichette is real close to returning, but not ready today), and of course, Randal Grichuk was patrolling CF. Could the Blue Jays bring down a giant? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

  • The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the 2nd as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled home Randal Grichuk
  • The Mets took the lead in the top of the 3rd as Michael Conforto spanked a 3-run blast to left-center, also scoring Wilson Ramos and Brandon Nimmo
  • Five batters later, Jeff McNeil doubled home JD Davis
  • Chase Anderson pitching line: 2.2IP 4H 4R (all earned) 3BB 4K 67 pitches (34 for strikes)
  • The Mets added a run in the top of the 4th as Ramos scored when his counterpart Danny Jansen missed the throw home on a fielder's choice hit by Davis
  • A batter later, Dominic Smith belted a grand slam to right; also scoring Conforto, Davis and Nimmo
  • Five batters later, Ramos double scoring Jeff McNeil, Andres Gimenez and Robinson Cano
  • Two batters later, Conforto singled home McNeil
  • A batter later, Davis doubled scoring Conforto
  • The Mets added a run in the top of the 7th on a bases loaded walk by Cano that forced in Conforto
  • Two batters later, Davis scored on a fielder's choice hit by McNeil
  • Jacob deGrom pitching line: 6IP 3H 1R (earned) 2BB 9K 102 pitches (68 for strikes)
  • The Mets added a run in the top of the 8th as Ramos crushed the first pitch of Ken Giles return over the wall in dead center 
  • The Mets added a run in the top of the 9th as Gimenez doubled home Pete Alonso
  • Final score: Mets 18 Blue Jays 1

My Take:

  • In a word, that was an ugly game for pretty much every Blue Jays pitcher. After Chase Anderson gave up 4 runs on 5 hits (Anthony Kay actually gave up the 5th hit but the run scored was charge to Anderson) and a walk. Kay and Jacob Waguespack then combined to spot the Mets 10 runs (ironically coming 3 days after the Blue Jays magical 10 run inning vs. the Yankees) on 7 hits, 2 walks, a hit batter and a fielding error by Danny Jansen. Waguespack then saw two inherited runners score when Ryan Borucki walked the first batter he faced and then the Blue Jays gave up a run for an out. The only slight positive was seeing Ken Giles pitch a relatively tidy 8th inning (after seeing the first pitch he threw go over the wall for a HR). Giles then struck out the next two batters. The question will be how he feels tomorrow.
  • The Blue Jays actually retired the Mets in order in the 1st and 6th innings. Waguespack also faced the minimum in the 5th.
  • Offensively, besides the 1st inning where they scored their only run, the Blue Jays biggest threat to score came in the 6th, when they had runners on 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs. Randal Grichuk lined out on the 1st pitch
  • Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 2-game losing streak. Expect Reid-Foley back up from the taxi squad with Waguespack definitely needing a couple of days off after throwing 58 pitches tonight. Lefty Robbie Ray gets his second start in a Blue Jays uniform. The Mets will counter with righty Seth Lugo