After a beat down of the Orioles last night, the Blue Jays wrapped up the weekend series with their AL East rivals and were looking for the series win. Ross Stripling was on the bump and looking to maintain his improved play in recent starts. George Springer got the half day off, serving as DH with Randal Grichuk in CF, Teoscar Hernandez in LF and Cavan Biggio in RF. Joe Panik was at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays make it two in a row over the Orioles? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Orioles opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Ryan Mountcastle smashed a solo blast to left
- The Blue Jays tied the game in the bottom of the 2nd on a double play ball hit byRandal Grichuk that scored Teoscar Hernandez
- The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the 3rd as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled scoring Reese McGuire and Marcus Semien
- The Orioles got one back in the top of the 5th as Roman Urias doubled scoring Mikael Franco
- The Blue Jays added a couple of runs in the bottom half of the inning as Cavan Biggio doubled scoring Hernandez and Guerrero Jr.
- Jorge Lopez pitching line: 4.2IP 10H 5H (all earned) 4BB 2K 100 pitches (59 for strikes)
- Ross Stripling pitching line: 5IP 6H 2R (both earned) 1BB 3K 95 pitches (61 for strikes)
- Jordan Romano pitched a perfect 9th for his 6th save of the season
- Final score: Blue Jay 5 Orioles 2
My Take:
- Ross Stripling was playing with fire all day. He gave up 2 runs on 6 hits while walking 1 and striking out three. There were lots of hard hit balls, sughesting he was just a tad off today, but able to make enough pitches to limit the damage. He only got 4 swings and misses all day.
- The bullpen was solid, allowing a hit and 2 walks over the final 4 innings while striking out 5. The final seven Orioles were retired.
- Offensively, it was the big bats that carried the day. Vlad drove in a pair and scored once Unlikely hero Cavan Biggio also drove in a pair
- Every Blue Jays starter except George Springer, who drew 2 walks, and Joe Panik had at least 1 hit
- Reese McGuire remained hot, going 2-3 with a walk and a run scored
- The Blue Jays were 3-11 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, after an off day tomorrow, the Blue Jays begin a 3-game set with the Mariners. In 2019, the Mariners won 4 of the six games in the season series and outscored the Blue Jays 29-22. Robbie Ray starts against Mariners righty Chris Flexen
