After splitting the four-game series against Oakland, the Blue Jays continued the road trip, opening a weekend series against the Houston Astros. In 2019, Houston took the season series 4-2 and outscored the Blue Jays 35-26. George Springer will not get to face his former team this time around as he is on the 10-day IL with a quad strain. Ross Stripling makes his 4th start of the season and second since returning from his own IL stint. Rowdy Tellez served as DH tonight. Randall Grichuk was back in the field in CF. Could the Blue Jays make it three wins in a row? Here is tonight's game recap
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Bo Bichette hammered a solo bomb to left-center
- The Astros took the lead in the bottom of the 2nd as Carlos Correa annihilated a 2-run bomb just inside the foul pole in left; also scoring Yuli Gurriel
- Six batters later a bases loaded walk to Alex Bregman forced in Martin Maldanado
- The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 4th on a moonshot to left-center by Danny Jansen
- Ross Stripling pitching line: 3.2IP 6H 3R (all earned) 3BB 3K 82 pitches (49 for strikes)
- The Astros added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 4th as Gurriel whacked a 2-run blast to left-center; also scoring Yordan Alvarez
- The Astros added a run in the bottom of the 7th as Gurriel singled scoring Bregman
- Two batters later, Kyle Tucker doubled home Alvarez
- Jose Urquidy pitching line: 7IP 4H 2R (both earned) 1BB 2K 84 pitches (61 for strikes)
- The Astros added a run in the bottom of the 8th as Bregman doubled scoring Jose Altuve
- A batter later, Michael Brantley scored on a groundout by Alvarez
- A batter later, Bregman scored on a sac fly by Gurriel
- The Blue Jays got a pair back in the top of the 9th as Teoscar Hernandez smacked an opposite-field shot to right; also scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- Final score: Astros 10 Blue Jays 4
My Take:
- Rough outing for Ross Stripling. The Blue Jays righty gave up3 runs on 6 hits while walking 3 and striking out 3. He had a particular bad inning in the 2nd where he gave up three runs on 4 hits and 2 walks. The damage was done on a mistake pitch that almost left the stadium and a bases loaded walk. Stripling has some command issue to work through.
- The bullpen had an even worse night, combining to allow seven runs on 9 hits and 2 walks. Tim Mayza gave up a 2-run HR. Ty Tice spotted the Astros a pair of runs on five hits. Rafael Dolis gave up a pair of runs on a hit and a walk and Ryan Borucki was responsible for the final Astro run. Trent Thornton was the only pitcher to retire every batter he faced. The bullpen has been relied on a lot early on, so it's no surprise they have some tired arms and were ineffective tonight
- The Blue Jays did not get enough offense. Aside from the 3 home runs that led to 4 runs, the Blue Jays barely got anyone on base. They were 0-2 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays will be looking to even the weekend series. Steven Matz, who has had his own struggles lately, goes up against Astros righty Cristian Javier, who has only ever faced Marcus Semien in on AB.
