It was both potential sweep day and getaway day. The Blue Jays wrapped up a week long homestand and were looking to sweep the Braves after a nice rout on Friday and a come from behind extra innings walk-off Saturday. There was both good and bad news injury wise. On the good news front, Ross Stripling was activated from the 10-day IL after missing a couple of weeks with a forearm strain. Onto the bad news. Alejandro Kirk (left flexor strain), Tommy Milone (left shoulder inflammation) and Anthony Castro (right forearm strain) were all added to the 10 day IL. Catcher Riley Adams and lefty Anthony Kay were added to the roster from the alt squad to fill the necessary roster spots. Danny Jansen got the start behind the plate. George Springer continues to DH as he works his way to full health from a nagging quad strain. Could the Blue Jays make it three wins in a row? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Braves opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as William Contreras singled scoring Ozzie Albies
- The Blue Jays tied the game in the bottom half of the inning as Danny Jansen singled home Randal Grichuk
- The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 3rd as Marcus Semien doubled scoring Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 4th as Bichette doubled home Jansen
- The Braves got one back in the top of the 5th on a sac fly by Ronald Acuna that scored Austin Riley
- Ross Stripling pitching line: 4.1IP 5H 2R (both earned) 1BB 4K 70 pitches (44 for strikes)
- Ian Anderson pitching line: 4IP 6H 4R (all earned) 2BB 5K 89 pitches (56 for strikes)
- George Springer left the game in the 6th as he appeared to tweak his quad again. Joe Panik pinch hit for him
- The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 8th as Semien cranked a 2-run blast to left-center; also scoring Grichuk
- Four batters later, Panik doubled scoring Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
- Final score: Blue Jays 7 Braves 2
My Take:
- Ross Stripling pitched into the 5th inning, but could not get out of it to make him eligible for the win today. It was his first start since straining his right forearm April 15. He gave up a pair of runs on 5 hits while walking 1 and striking out 4 over 4.1 innings. He had clean 1-2-3 innings in the 1st 3rd, and 4th and had to work out of jams in the 2nd and 5th. He retired 7 in a row at one point.
- Danny Jansen finally broke an 0-34 slump with an RBI single in the 2nd. Jansen was 2-3 with a run scored and an RBI. He also drew a walk
- There has to be concern with George Springer on the limp again. He was pinch hit for in the 6th and was grabbing at his leg yesterday too. The best thing is to shut him down, get him 100% and that includes being able to play in the field. Now that the minor league season has begun, Springer can be sent on a rehab assignment when he's physically ready
- Every Blue Jays starter except Springer, Cavan Biggio and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had at least one hit. All but Springer got on base at least once
- Up next, the Blue Jays begin a 10-game, 11-day road swing that begins tomorrow in Oakland and ends May 13 in Atlanta. The Blue Jays swept the season series against Oakland in 2019 6-0, including a season ending ACL tear to Matt Shoemaker April 20 in a run down. The Blue Jays outscored the A's 36-13. Tomorrow's pitching matchup will be lefty Steven Matz going up against an unannounced Oakland pitcher.
