After dropping the first 2 games on this road trip, the Blue Jays were looking to get back in the win column. Big news today: the Blue Jays will move to Buffalo June 1st to play their home games. They'll play out of Dunedin for this month. AAA-affiliate Buffalo Bisons will play out of nearby Trenton, NJ. High-A affiliate Vancouver Canadians, who began their season with a 4-0 loss to Tri-City, will be playing their home games in Hillsboro, Oregon. Both the Blue Jays and Canadians hope the US/Canada will reopen at some point this summer. That's all dependent on the COVID-19 cases dropping and enough people being vaccinated. Reese McGuire is back, added to the roster with backup Alejandro Kirk out around 6 weeks with a hip flexor injury. McGuire was released in spring training. He batted an abysmal .073 in 2020 in 41AB over 19 games. He'll catch Robbie Ray tonight. Riley Adams was optioned to AAA. Julian Merryweather was transferred to the 60-day IL. Tanner Roark cleared release waivers and is now a free agent. Vlad got the half day off, serving as the DH with Joe Panik getting the start at 1B tonight. George Springer missed his 3rd straight game and could well be headed for another IL stint. Cavan Biggio got the start at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays snap the losing streak? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Teoscar Hernandez singled home Bo Bichette
- A batter later, Randal Grichuk singled scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- The A's got one back in the bottom of the 2nd as Ramon Laureano belted a solo blast to right-center
- The A's tied the game in the bottom of the 4th as Matt Chapman lined a screamer over the wall in left-center
- The A's took the lead in the bottom of the 6th as Sean Murphy doubled scoring Laureano
- Robbie Ray pitching line: 6IP 6H 3R (all earned), 0BB 9K 95 pitches (68 for strikes)
- Chris Bassitt pitching line: 7IP 6H 2R (both earned) 0BB 7K 90 pitches (63 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays tied the game in the top of the 8th on a wild pitch by Lou Trivino that scored Jonathan Davis
- A batter later, Hernandez singled home Bichette
- A batter after that, Grichuk singled scoring Guerrero Jr.
- A batter later, Cavan Biggio plated Hernandez with a beauty sac bunt
- A batter later, Grichuk scored on a ground out by Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
- The A's got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Murphy doubled home Matt Olson
- The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the top of the 9th as Guerrero Jr. doubled scoring Bichette and Davis
- Final score: Blue Jays 9 A's 4
My Take:
- Robbie Ray has really turned things around since he's been working under the guidance of Pete Walker. He threw 6 solid innings, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits while walking none and striking out nine. For the second day in a row, both pitchers had similar pitching lines. Both starters allowed 6 hits and didn't walk a batter. Ray allowed an extra run (3) and threw 5 extra pitches (95). Chris Bassitt threw an extra inning (7). Ray also threw 5 more strikes (68).
- It was a big 8th inning that saw the Blue Jays score 5 runs on a wild pitch, 2 consecutive singles, a beauty sac bunt and a ground out. I love it when the team manufactures other ways besides the home run.
- Now that Springer's back on the IL, it will be one of Marcus Semien or Cavan Biggio batting in the leadoff spot. It was Semien's turn tonight. He was 1-4 and drew a walk
- Reese McGuire had a good game defensively, but was 0-2 at the plate and drew an 8th inning walk to start the rally.
- Jonathan Davis scored twice without getting a hit (he came around to score after pinch-running for McGuire in the 8th and drew a walk in the 9th and then scored on Guerrero Jr's double
- Another pitcher went down for the Blue Jays. David Phelps was supposed to pitch the 8th, but was pulled before ever throwing a pitch. He felt discomfort warming up
- Joe Panik also left the game after his calf seized up on him. Expect at least one of Phelps and Panik to join the IL
- Up next, the Blue Jays wrap up the series vs. Oakland with a matinee. Hyun-Jin Ryu will come off the IL for the start after missing a turn after straining his glute muscle. The A's will counter with righty Mike Fiers
