Alek Manoah threw 7 shutout innings in a 4-0 win over the Royals
After a hard-fought win over the Royals in their first game back in Toronto in 22 months, the Blue Jays were looking to make it three wins in a row. Alek Manoah returned to the rotation after missing a start after falling down some stairs. Trent Thorntnon was optioned to AAA to make room for him. Randal Grichuk got the half day off as DH with Lourdes Gurriel Jr. back in LF after missing a day and a half after getting hit by a pitch Wednesday in Boston, George Springer in CF and Teoscar Hernandez in RF. Could the Blue Jays make it three straight wins? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as George Springer led off with a solo bomb to the second deck in left
- The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 3rd as Springer whacked an opposite field shot to right-center; also scoring Alejandro Kirk
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 6th as Marcus Semien tripled home Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- Alek Manoah pitching line: 7IP 2H 0R 1BB 4K 89 pitches (59 for strikes)
- Mike Minor pitching line: 7IP 5H 4R (all earned) 1BB 6K 99 pitches (64 for strikes)
- Final score: Blue Jays 4 Royals 0
My Take:
- Alek Manoah was excellent today, throwing seven shutout innings, allowing 2 hits while walking 1 and striking out 4. He retired an impressive 16 in a row - easily the best streak of the season by a Blue Jays starter
- The revamped bullpen continued to flex its mighty muscles. Ryan Boruucki came in first and retired two of the three batters he faced. After allowing a single to the first batter he faced, Adam Cimber struck out the next four batters to end the game with an exclamation point.
- George Springer continued to celebrate his first homestand in Toronto with a bang. After going three for four last night with a run scored and an RBI, Springer whacked a pair of home runs for three runs
- Vlad, Marcus Semien, and Alejandro Kirk were the only other Blue Jays to record a hit today
- The Blue Jays were 0-3 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays go for the series sweep and 4 straight wins. Righty Brad Keller starts for the Royals and the Blue Jays have not announced a starter yet (maybe Jose Berros makes his Blue Jays debut?
