Friday, July 23, 2021

Game #93 Toronto Blue Jays (48-45) @ NY Mets (51-43) - game recap

 

Alejandro Kirk had a hit in his return to the majors in a 3-0 loss to the Mets 

After closing their time in Buffalo with a disappointing loss to the Red Sox, the Blue Jays hit the road, starting with a little interleague action against the Mets. Last season, the Blue Jays won 2 of 3 in the season series, but were outscored 23-11. Steven Matz got the start against his former team tonight. Danny Jansen was placed back on the IL after reinjuring his hamstring. Alejandro Kirk was recalled from AAA and got the start behind the plate. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. got the day off with Teoscar Hernandez in LF and no DH with an interleague game in an NL ballpark. Could the Blue Jays start the road trip with a win and could Steven Matz beat his former team? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Higghlights:

  • The Mets opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Pete Alonso smashed a 2-run bomb to left-centet; also scoring Brandon Nimmo
  • Steven Matz pitching line: 5.2IP 4H 2R (both earned) 3BB 5K 96 pitches (59 for strikes)
  • Tyler Megill pitching line: 6IP 2H 0R 1BB 5K 78 pitches (50 for strikes)
  • The Mets added a run in the bottom of the 8th as Alonso hammered a solo bomb to dead center
  • Edwin Diaz pitched a perfect 9th for his 20th save of the season
  • Final score: Mets 3 Blue Jays 0

My Take:

  • Steven Matz pitched decentely against his former team, except for one mistake pitch that home run derby king Pete Alonso took yard. It turned out to be the difference in the game. Command was a bit off, as evdenced by the three walks. He was 0-2 at the plate and struck out once
  • Ryan Borucki was roughed up a bit giving up a run on 2 hits, including the 2nd HR of the day to Alonso
  • Offensively, it was not a good night at all. The best chance to score was in the 1st inning when Bo Bichette stole 2nd base on Vlad;s strikeout. Unfortunately George Springer popped up to end the threat. That was the only time the Blue Jays got a runner past 2nd base
  • I suppose another positive is Alejandro Kirk got a hit in his return to the majors. He has a golden opportunity to take back a roster spot with Danny Jansen expected to be out for a while.
  • Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 3-game losing streak against ex-Blue Jays righty Taijuan Walker. Acquired at the 2020 deadline, Walker was 2-1 with a 1.37ERA in 6 starts in a Blue Jsays uniform. The Blue Jays will counter with ace Hyun-jin Ryu