After sweeping the Braves over the weekend, the Blue Jays limped west to begin a 10-game in 11-day road trip. Tonight, they opened a 4-game series in Oakland. Toronto swept the season series 6-0 in 2019, outscoring the A's 36-13. The season series also included a season-ending ACL tear for ex-Jays pitcher Matt Shoemaker back on April 20, 2019 in a run down. The Blue Jays sent Steven Matz to the bump. Matz was looking to bounce back after a rough start last time out. George Springer was not in the lineup after getting pulled in the 6th inning yesterday with apparent fatigue. He appeared to be experiencing pain in the quad and did not look comfortable at the plate. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. got the half day, serving as the DH tonight. Cavan Biggio led off and got the start in RF. Randal Grichuk was in CF and Teoscar Hernandez got the start in LF. Joe Panik was at the hot corner tonight. Could the Blue Jays make it four wins in a row? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The A's opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Jed Lowrie doubled home Matt Chapman
- A batter later, Stephen Piscotty hammered a 2-run bomb to left-center; also scoring Lowrie
- The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 3rd as Bo Bichette singled home Danny Jansen
- Two batters later, Teoscar Hernandez singled scoring Bichette and Cavan Biggio
- The A's added two runs in the bottom of the 5th as Ramon Laureno annihilated a two-run bomb to left-center; also scoring Tony Kemp
- Steven Matz pitching line: 5IP 7H 5R (all earned) 1BB 6K 92 pitches (62 for strikes)
- Frankie Montas pitching line: 6IP 7H 3R (all earned) 1BB 4K 88 pitches (62 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 8th on a wild pitch by Lou Trivino that scored Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- Jake Diekman pitched a perfect 9th for his 3rd save of the season
- Final score: A's 5 Blue Jays 4
My Take:
- Steven Matz threw 5 innings, giving up 5 runs on 7 hits, while walking one and striking out 6. Two mistake pitches cost him four runs. He was pitching in and out of trouble all night and A's batters were forcing him into deep counts. Perhaps Matz should review video from his first three starts and see where he was successful
- Marcus Semien made his return to Oakland. He was 1-3 against his former team and drew a walk and struck out once
- After snapping a 16-game hitless streak yesterday, Danny Jansen went 0-4 tonight, but did reach base on a fielder's choice in the 3rd inning and scored on Bichette's RBI single
- The Blue Jays had a great chance to tie the game with Randal Grichuk on 2B with 1 out in the 8th. Unfortunately Semien struck out swinging and Joe Panik lined out to center field
- The Blue Jays were 4-9 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays look to even up the 4-game series. It will be a battle of the southpaws tomorrow night with Anthony Kay going up against A's lefty Cole Irvin
