After sweeping the Marlins, the Blue Jays looked to keep their streak going against the Orioles, who they won 2 straight against a week ago to begin the current win streak. Anthony Kay got the start in place of Steven Matz, who remains on th COVID IL list. Vlad got the half day off serving as the DH with Joe Panik at 1B. Reese McGuire was behind the plaThte. Cavan Biggio got the start at the hot corner. George Springer sat out completely with Randal Grichuk in CF and Teoscar Hernandez in RF. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was back in LF after sitting out yesterday. Could the Blue Jays make it five straight wins? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Teoscar Hernandez singled scoring Marcus Seminen
- A batter later, Bo Bichette scored on a ground out by Randal Grichuk
- Two batters later, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hammered a grand slam to left; also scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Cavan Biggio and Hernandez
- Dean Kremer pitching line: 0.1IP 2H 6R (all earned) 5BB 0K 39 pitches (17 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 2nd as Guerrero Jr. smashed a solo blast to left-center
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 3rd as Semien doubled home Reese McGuire
- A batter later, Bichette doubled scoring Semien
- Anthony Kay pitching line: 5IP 5H 0R 2BB 8K 95 pitches (62 for strikes)
- Final score: Blue Jays 9 Orioles 0
My Take:
- Anthony Kay had a stressful start, pitching his way in and out of trouble all night. While he didn't give up any runs, he had to deal with base runners on base in every inning but the 4th. The one thing he had going for him was enough nastiness to get a strikeoit when he needed it. In order for him to remain in the rotation, he needs to be more consistent and economical with his pitches. Steven Matz looks like he'll be ready to rejoin the rotation after a stint with COVID-19. He threw 60 pitches in the bullpen today.
- The bullpen gave up 2 hits and a walk and struck out 2 over the final 4 innings
- The Blue Jays jumped all over Orioles starter Dean Kremer, drawing 5 walks and 2 hits, including a Lourdes Gurriel Jr. grand slam. The Orioles righty only managed to record 1 out.
- Every Blue Jays starter except Cavan Biggio, Randal Grichuk and Joe Panik had at least one hit
- The Blue Jays were 3-8 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays go for their 6th straight win overall and 4th straight win vs. the Orioles. Alek Manoah gets the start against Orioles righty Matt Harvey
