After dropping 2 of 3 vs. the Astros over the weekend, the Blue Jays continued the road trip with a trio of games against the Braves, who they swept in Dunedin a week ago. Today Robbie Ray was on the bump, looking to replicate a strong start last time out. It's the first time, and perhaps last time, pitchers will have to bat. Reese McGuire got the start behind the plate and Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing Sunday. After a rough start, Nate Pearson was optioned to AAA to work on his arsenal. Righty Jeremy Beasley was recalled from AAA. Could the Blue Jays make it four in a row vs. the Braves? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Braves opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Ozzie Albies singled home Ronald Acuna
- The Braves added a run in the bottom of the 3rd as Acuna hammered a solo bomb to straightaway center
- The Blue Jays tied the game in the top of the 6th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. lined a 2-run blast to the opposite field in right; also scoring Marcus Semien
- The Braves retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning on a solo bomb to left-center by Marcell Ozuna
- Bryse Wilson pitching line: 6IP 6H 2R (both earned) 0BB 5K 84 pitches (58 for strikes)
- Robbie Ray pitching line: 6IP 5H 3R (all earned) 1BB 10K 99 pitches (67 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays tied the game in the top of the 8th as Guerrero Jr. singled scoring Jonathan Davis
- A batter later, Teoscar Hernandez singled scoring Semien
- Two batters later, Bo Bichette scored on a bases loaded walk to Cavan Biggio
- Jordan Romano pitched the 9th for his 1st save of the season
- Final score: Blue Jays 5 Braves 3
My Take:
- Robbie Ray had himself a quality start, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits while walking one and striking out ten. He pitch out of a jam in the 1st inning, giving up run on 2 hits and a walk.. At one point, he retired nine in a row before the Ozuna HR. He earned a no decision after the Blue Jays bailed him out in the 8th with 3 runs. At the plate, he was 0-2 and popped out trying to sac bunt to move Reese McGuire over to second base. He also grounded out leading off the 6th inning. Ray is one of the Blue Jays more experienced pitchers offensively having played 147 games as a starting pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks. In his career, he has a .142 average and 25 sac bunts
- Jonathan Davis nearly ran himself into an out in the 8th, just sliding back into 2nd base ahead of the throw from Braves reliever AJ Minter. Had he been called out, it might have changed the Braves approach to Bo Bichette. They might have been able to get out of the inning on a double play. Instead, Davis scored a couple of batters later and the Blue Jays added 2 more runs to take a 2-run lead. Davis was thrown at home out to end the 9th trying to secure a 3-run lead
- Vlad was a big catalyst of the offense today with not one but two game-tying hits
- Both bullpens threw three innings. The Blue Jays relievers allowed 2 hits and a walk while striking out 3, The Braves relievers allowed 5 hits, 3 runs and a walk and struck out 5. All three runs were charged to AJ Minter, who did not record an out
- Rowdy Tellez blew a chance to extend the lead. He flew out to left, but not deep enough to score Vlad
- Up next, the Blue Jays look to make it five in a row vs. Atlanta. Tomorrow features a battle of the lefties as the Blue Jays send ace Hyun-Jin Ryu to the hill against Braves southpaw Max Fried
