The Blue Jays wrapped up a four-game series against the Oakland A's. It was the 4th straight time a southpaw started for the Blue Jays (Steven Matz pitched the opener Monday, Anthony Kay pitched Tuesday, Robbie Ray was up yesterday and Hyun-jin Ryu got the start today). Several injury updates were provided today by GM Ross Atkins. George Springer will likely be on the IL longer than the 10-day minimum. His high pain tolerance will be a factor in decisions about playing (reading between the lines, Blue Jays are likely to keep him on IL longer than necessary and he'll be DH'ing more than playing CF this season). Alejandro Kirk is expected to miss a month with a hip flexor injury. David Phelps is heading to the IL with a lat strain. Joe Panik is feeling much better after leaving yesterday with a tweaked calf. Danny Jansen was back behind the plate after the day off yesterday. Vlad was back in the field after serving as DH yesterday. Randal Grichuk got the half day off as DH. Jonathan Davis was in CF and Teoscar Hernandez was in RF. Cavan Biggio was at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays make it 2 wins in a row? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The A's opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Mark Cahna led off with a solo blast down the left-field line
- The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 3rd as Randal Grichuk hammered a 3-run bomb to left-center; also scoring Marcus Semien and Teoscar Hernandez
- The A's got one back in the bottom half of the inning on a ground-rule double hit by Matt Olson that scored Tony Kemp
- A batter later Sean Murphy singled scoring Ramon Laureano and Olson
- The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the top of the 4th as Danny Jansen crushed a 2-run bomb to left-center; also scoring Jonathan Davis
- Matt Fiers pitching line: 3.1IP 9H 5R (all earned)2BB 2K 69 pitches (43 for strikes)
- Hyun-jin Ryu pitching line: 5IP 6H 4R (all earned) 1BB 6K 91 pitches (58 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the top of the 6th as Hernandez singled home Semien and Bo Bichette
- A batter later, Grichuk doubled scoring Hernandez and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 7th as Semien whacked a solo blast to left
- Final score Blue Jays 10 A's 4
My Take:
- Hyun-jin Ryu, in his return from a glute strain, threw 5 innings, giving up4 runs on 6 hits while walking 1 and striking out 6. The game didn't start out the way he'd want it to, giving up a home run to the first batter he faced. Ryu settled down and retired the next 3 batters to end the inning. The one inning where he got in trouble was the 3rd, where Ryu gave up 3 runs on 3 hits and a walk. Ryu retired 6 batters in a row at one point. The biggest measuring stick will be how he is feeling tomorrow, given he is coming off an injury.
- Marcus Semien had a huge day at the plate, going 4-6 with 3 runs scored and an RBI
- everyone but Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had at least one hit and Vlad drew a walk
- Up next, the Blue Jays head to Houston for a weekend series vs. the Astros. George Springer will not get to face his former team due to being on the IL with a recurring quad strain. Ross Stripling will come off the IL to pitch against Astros righty Jose Urquldy
