After taking three of four from the Orioles, the Blue Jays opened a three game set against the Mariners. In 2019, the Mariners won 4 of the 6 games in the season seties, outscoring the Blue Jays 29-22. The Blue Jays made a trade with the Marlins hours before the game acquiring outfielder Corey Dickerson and sidewinder righty reliever Adam Cimber for Joe Panik and minor league righty Andrew McInvale. The Blue Jays won't need to deal with the crowded outfield immediately with Dickerson headed to the 10-day IL with a left foot contusion. Cimber will be the first submarine pitcher in the Blue Jays bullpen since Joe Smith in 2017. This season, Cimber is 1-2 with a 2.33ERA in 33 appearances this season. He hasn't given up a long ball and has walked 11 baters while striking out 21. Joe Panik has been a utility player this season, spelling off players when they need a day off or were DH'ing. He saw time at 3B, 2B and 1B. Panik comitted 5 errors while at the hot corner. Panik hit .246 with 2HR and 11RBI this season in 114 AB (114PA). Dickerson hit .260 with 2HR and 14RBI in 204 AB (224PA) over 62 games this season. Lefty Travis Bergen was DFA'd. Jomathan Davis was recalled. Robbie Ray got the start. Randal Grichuk got the half day off serving as DH with Lourdes Gurriel Jr in LF, George Springer in CF and Teoscar Hernandez in RF. Cavan Biggio was at the hot corner tonight. Could the Blue Jays makr it three wins in a row? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Marcus Semien doubled scoring Randal Grichuk and Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 5th on a sac fly by Cavan Biggio that scored Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- The Mariners tied the game in the top of the 6th on a three-run bomb to dead center that also scored JP Crawford and Mitch Hanigar
- Chris Flexen pitching line: 5IP 7H 3R (all earned) 3BB 2K 89 strikes (54 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the 6th as Bo Bichette smashed a 3-run blast to left-center; also scoring Reese McGuire and Semien
- Robbie Ray pitching line: 6IP 5H 3R (all earned) 1BB 10K 90 pitches (62 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added 3 runs in the bottom of the 7th as Semien smashed a 3-run bomb off the left foul pole; also scoring Jonathan Davis and Reese McGuire
- Final score: Blue Jays 9 Mariners 3
My Take:
- Robbie Ray threw 6 solid innings, really only running into trouble in his last inning when he gave up three hits, including a game-tying 3-run bomb. Ray struck out 10 batters. At one point he retired 14 in a row
- The bullpen was solid,giving up three hits and a walk while striking out 4 over the final 3 innings
- Offensively, Marcus Semien drove in 5 runs and was a triple short of the cycle. Bo Bichette also contributed a 3-run bomb. Reese McGuire scored twice
- Every Blue Jays starter had at least one hit
- The Blue Jays were 3-10 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays try for their 4th straight series win. They've won 8 of ten in the current stretch and really should have ten straight wins, but the bullpen blew a couple of games late. Tomorrow will be a battle of the lefties. Steven Matz makes his return from the COVID-19 IL list. The Mariners will counter with southpaw Justus Sheffield
