Vladimir Guerrero Jr. scored the game-winning run as the Blue Jays came from behind to defeat the Marlins 6-5
After a solid win yesterday on the strength of a strong 6-inning start from Robbie Ray and a 3-run blast from Vlad as part of a 4-hit day. AJ Cole (stiff neck) was placed on the 10-day IL ith a stiff neck. Righty Jeremy Beasley was recalled from the Alt squad.Alek Manoah made his second career start. Vlad got the half day off, serving as the DH with Rowdy Tellez at 1B. Could the Blue Jays sweep the mini two-game series? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Marlins opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Corey Dickerson hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- The Blue Jays tied the game in the bottom half of the inning as Randal Grichuk smacked a solo blast to left-center
- The Marlins took the lead in the top of the 3rd on a 2-run blast to left-center by Jazz Chisholm Jr.; also scoring Jose Devers
- Two batters later, Jesus Aguilar lined a screamer to left for a solo shot
- Alek Manoah pitching line: 3.1IP 4H 4R (all earned) 3BB 5K 74 pitches (50 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 4th as Grichuk bashed a solo shot to left
- Pablo Lopez pitching line: 4IP 5H 2R (both earned) 1BB 9K 90 pitches (59 for strikes)
- The Marlins added a run in the top of the 7th as Starlini Marte tattooed a laser beam to dead center
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 7th on a fielding error by Chisholm on a ball hit by Teoscar Hernandez that scored Marcus Semien
- The Blue Jays got two more back in the bottom of the 9th as Bichette tripled scoring Jonathan Davis and Semien
- Three batters later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. scored on a sac fly hit by Joe Panik
- Final score: Blue Jays 6 Marlins 5
My Take:
- Alek Manoah's second career start wasn't quite as successful as his MLB debut, where he threw 6 shutout innings. Manoah was taken deep three times, and gave up 4 runs on 4 hits while walking three and striking out 5. He started out well enough, retiring the first four batters he faced before Corey Dickerson went yard. He'll need time as he faces the veteran hitters for the 1st tuue
- Weather was a big factor in this one. It was raining, at times heavy, throughout the game. By the time 8th inning was done, the playing surface was starting to look very unplayable. That's a big safety issue if a player were to slip on a wet field or if a bat came flying out of a hand or if the pitcher had the ball slip out of his hand. If I'm the Marlins, I'm protesting the game not being stopped
- Randal Grichuk (2 soloe HR) and Bo Bichette 2 RBI drove the offense today.
- Every Blue Jays starterr, except Joe Panik and Teoscar Hernandez had at least one hit
- Fifteen strikeouts is good if you are pitching and bad if you are batting. Unfortunately, the Blue Jays fell into the latter category tonight. Bichette ans Hernandez both struck out 3 times
- The Blue Jays were a dismal 1-9 with runners in scoring position
- The bullpen did wel, allowing 1 run (solo HR), another hit and a walk while striking out 5 over the final 5.2 innings
- Up next, after an off-day tomorrow, the Blue Jays open up a weekend series vs. the Astros. George Springer will not face his former team this season. He had just reinjured the quad and was back on the IL when the Blue Jays were in Houston, The Astros won 2/3 back in May. Friday will be a battle of the aces with Hyun-jin Ryu pitches against Zack Greinke