Sunday, September 13, 2020

Game # 46 New York Mets (21-26) @ Toronto Blue Jays (26-20) - game recap

 

Santiago Espinal broke the game open with a bases clearing double n the 6th in a 7-3 victory over the Mets

After splitting the first 2 games of the series, the Blue Jays were looking to wrap up the series and homestand with a win before embarking on their final road trip of the season, starting Tuesday in NY after the final off-day of the season Monday. Hyun-Jin Ryu was on the mound looking for his 4th win of the season, which would put him in the top 20 in the MLB. Cavan Biggio got his 1st career start at the hot corner. Jonathan Davis got the start in RF, Jonathan Villar was at 2B and Vlad played his 3rd straight game at 1B (a new record!). Danny Jansen was back behind the plate after the day off yesterday. Could the Blue Jays make it two series wins vs. the NY teams this week? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

  • The Mets took the lead in the top of the 1st as Dominic Smith singled home Jeff O'Neil. Todd Frazier was thrown out at home trying to make it a 2-run single
  • Lourdes Gurriel Jr. made an outstanding catch in the outfield to end an inning for the second straight day
  • The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the 2nd as Gurriel Jr.smashed a 2-run blast to left; also scoring Randal Gricuk
  • David Peterson pitching line: 5IP 3H 2R (both earned) 2BB 2K 81 pitches (52 for strikes) 
  • The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 6th on a bases loaded walk by Jonathan Villar that forced in Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
  • Two batters later, Santiago Espinal doubled home Villar, Gurriel Jr. and Grichuk
  • A batter later, Danny Jansen singled scoring Espinal
  • Hyun-jin Ryu pitching line: 6IP 8H 1R (earned) 0BB 7K 92 pitches (62 for strikes)
  • The Mets got one back in the top of the 8th as Frazier singled scoring JD Davis
  • Two batters later, Michael Conforto scored on a fielder's choice hit by Smith
  • Final score: Blue Jays 7 Mets 3

My Take:

  • Hyun-jin Ryu had to work out of some jams early, but limited the damage in the 1st to a single run, thanks to Randal Grichuk's magnificent throw home. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. made another outstanding catch to get out of the 2nd inning (his second in as many days). Ryu got better as the game went on, and retired the last 8 batters he faced. If not for a long inning in the 6th by the Blue Jays, he might have started the 7th inning.
  • Bo Bichette was 0-4 with a pair of strikeouts. It might take a few games to get his timing back
  • Cavan Biggio extended his hitting streak to 4 games with a double in the 6th
  • Up next, after a final off-day Monday, the Blue Jays embark on the final road trip of the season, starting with a key series that opens Tuesday in NY. Tuesday's pitching match-up will be Taijuan Walker against Yankees righty Deivi Garcia