Sunday, April 25, 2021

Game #21 Toronto Blue Jays (10-11) @ Tampa Bay Rays (11-11) - game recap

 

Tim Mayza was credited with his first win since Tommy John surgery September 2018 in a 1-0 shutout win over the Rays. Starter Hyun-Jin Ryu was removed in the 4th inning with a strained glute.

The Blue Jays and Rays played the rubber match of the first series of 19 games between the AL East rivals. Hyun-Jin Ryu was on the bump, looking to pitch his team to a victory. Bo Bichette got the half day off, serving as the DH, with Joe Panik at 2B and Marcus Semien sliding over to SS. Randal Grichuk got the start in CF with Cavan Biggio in RF. Santiago Espinal was at the hot corner today. Danny Jansen was back behind the plate, and looking to snap an 0-27 drought offensively. Could the Blue Jays end the road trip with a win? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

  • Hyun-Jin Ryu pitching line: 3.2IP 3H 0R 1BB 5K 62 pitches (45 for strikes)
  • The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 5th as Santiago Espinal singled home Marcus Semien
  • Luis Patino pitching line: 2.2IP 0H 0R 1BB 3K 42 pitches (30 for strikes)
  • Rafael Dolis retired the final 4 batters for his second save of the season
  • Final score: Blue Jays 1 Rays 0
My Take:
  • An already thin pitching rotation got even thinner Sunday afternoon. Hyun-Jin Ryu left the game with a mild glute strain. He gave up a single and walked slowly back to the mound, crouched down then signaled to the dugout for a trainer. After talking with pitching coach Pete Walker and manager Charlie Montoyo, Ryu walked off the mound and left the game. He has a history of hamstring and glute injuries. You can bet that the Blue Jays will exercise extreme caution with him, as they have with Nate Pearson, George Springer and Thomas Hatch. The schedule is optimal for this injury to occur this week with the Blue Jays having off-days Monday and Thursday. However, they then play 10 days in a row, have an off-day May 10 before playing 6, followed by another off-day and 15 in a row through June 2. Hopefully the injury really is minor and he only misses a start or two.
  • With Ryu's departure, it became a battle of the bullpens over the final 5.1 innings. Tim Mayza, who got the final out of the 4th inning, was credited with his first win since TJ surgery that cost him two seasons. Ryan Borucki, Tyler Chatwood, David Phelps and Dolis held the Rays hitters to two base runners over the final 5 innings (a walk and a hit batter charged to David Phelps). The quartet combined to strike out 4 batters
  • On the offensive side, the Blue Jays eked across a run in the 5th inning that proved to be enough on this day.
  • It was actually batters 5-8 that did the damage offensively, going a combined 6-16. Cavan Biggio, who batted lead off did draw a pair of walks
  • Danny Jansen went 0-4 to extend his hitless streak to 0-31
  • Up next, after an off-day tomorrow, the Blue Jays opened a mini 2-game series against the Washington Nationals. The two teams split the 4-games last season. All 4 games were in Washington, but the Blue Jays were considered the home team for the final two as Buffalo had to be revamped to meet MLB standards. The Nats outscored the Blue Jays 13-12 last season. Max Scherzer will start for Washington and the Blue Jays have yet to name a starter (probably a bullpen day)