Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Game #6 Toronto Blue Jays (3-3) @ Texas Rangers (3-3) - game recap

 

Hyun-Jin Ryu threw 7 strong innings in a losing effort as the Rangers edged the Blue Jays 2-1

After splitting the first two games of the series, the Blue Jays were looking to leave Texas and end the first road trip of the season with a second series win. Bad news before the game. George Springer tweaked his quad running the bases. Severity pending MRI results. Ace Hyun-Jin Ryu made his second start of the season. He allowed two runs and pitched into the 6th inning on opening day. Bo Bichette got the half day off, serving as the DH. Joe Panik got the start at 2B. Danny Jansen was back behind the plate after the day off yesterday. Could the Blue Jays make it two series wins in a row? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

  • The Rangers opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Nick Solak lined a screamer down the left field line and into the second deck
  • Four batters later, Leody Tavaras singled home Jose Trevino
  • Kyle Gibson pitching line: 6IP 6H 0R 1BB 8K 82 pitches (55 for strikes)
  • The Blue Jays got a run back in the top of the 8th as Marcus Semien hammered a solo bomb into the upper deck in left
  • Hyun-Jin Ryu pitching line: 7IP 7H 2R (both earned) 0BB 7K 90 pitches (68 for strikes)
  • Ian Kennedy struck out the side in the 9th for his second straight save
  • Final score: Rangers 2 Blue Jays  1

My Take:

  • Hyun-Jin Ryu did what aces are supposed to do, give his team a chance to win. Unfortunately, he got no run support. Ryu had one bad inning in the 2nd, giving up 4 hits and 2 runs. The rest of the way, Ryu gave up 3 hits and retired eight and five batters in a row. He walked none.
  • Marcus Semien has been hot/cold at the top of the lineup. Today, he was 2-3 with a solo HR and a walk. With the injury setback to George Springer, Semien will continue to lead off on a mostly daily basis.
  • Too many strikeouts today. The Blue Jays as a team struck out 12 times. Teoscar Hernandez struck out 3 times
  • The Blue Jays were 0-4 with runners in scoring position
  • Rafael Dolis, who has had a shaky start to his season, was efficient today, inducing the only batter he faced into an out on just 4 pitches
  • Up next, the Blue Jays head to one of their temporary homes in Dunedin to start the home portion of their schedule. With the border still closed indefinitely and a 14-day quarantine still in effect for people entering the country, the Blue Jays will play in Dunedin this home stand and through at least the May 21-24 series vs. Tampa Bay. At this point, I think it's unlikely Canada will be vaccinated sufficiently and have COVID cases under sufficient control to reopen the border. Most of Canada is still vaccinating the older population and those with medical conditions such as cancer. Ontario reported more than 3200 new cases today. The Blue Jays will open the home portion of the schedule with a 4-game series vs. the LA Angels. The Blue Jays won just one of the 6 games vs. the Angels in 2019 and were outscored 45-27. Ross Stripling faces an important start with Robbie Ray getting close to returning from a left elbow contusion from a fall down a flight of stairs. The Angels will counter with righty Griffin Canning