After defeating the Indians on the backs of strong games from George Springer, Teoscar Hernandez and Hyun-jin Ryu. Joakim Soria was placed on the 10-day IL. Taylor Saucedo was called up to take his roster spot. Steven Matz got the start. Corey Dickerson was in LF after DH'ing yesterday and George Springer got the half day off today as DH with Randal Grichuk in CF and Teoscar Hernandez in RF. Could The Blue Jays make it two straight wins? Here is tonight'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 dead center
- Five batters later, Corey Dickerson doubled scoring Marcus Semien and Bo Bichette
- A batter later, Randal Grichuk singled home Dickerson
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 2nd on a fielder's choice hit by Bichette that scored Springer
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 3rd as Reese McGuire doubled scoring Randal Grichuk
- A batter later, Springer doubled home Breyvic Valera and Grichuk
- JC Mejia pitching line:2.1IP 7H 8R (all earned) 4BB 0K 75 pitches (38 for strikes)
- Steven Matz pitching line: 6IP 6H 0R 1BB 8K 92 pitches (64 for strikes)
- The Indians got 3 back in the top of the 8th on a bases clearing double by Owen Miller that scored Fanmil Reyes, Bobby Bradley and Oscar Mercado
- Two batters later, Miller scored on a sac fly by Bradley Zimmer
- The Indians got one back in the top of the 9th as Jose Ramirez whacked an opposite-field shot to right-center
- Three batters later, Mercado drilled a solo bomb to left
- Final score: Blue Jays 8 Indians 6
My Take:
- Steven Matz just made the decision on how to handle a crowded rotation, with the addition of Jose Berros. He threw six shutout innings, scattering 6 hits while walking none and striking out 8. It wouldn't surprise me if the Blue Jays opt for a 6-man rotation to give Hyun-Jin Ryu an extra days rest and maybe avoid what happened in the WC game vs. the Rays last season
- The bullpen had a rough day. Taylor Saucedo, just called back up after Soria went on the IL, was lit up for 4 runs on 5 hits and did not retire a batter. Jordan Romano gave up a pair of solo home runs and had the tying run at bat before striking out Austin Hedges to end the game
- As has been the trend, the offense scored early and often, scoring 8 runs over the first three innings and no base runners after the 5th inning. With the inconsistency of the bullpen, being able to tack on an insurance run late would take some of the pressure off the relievers.
- George Springer is on fire! He was 4-5,including a leadoff HR and scored twice and drove in 3 runs
- Every Blue Jays batter, except Bo Bichette (although he drew a walk, had an RBI and scored once
- Corey Dickerson drove in his first two runs as a Blue Jay and scored his first run as a Blue Jay
- The Blue Jays were 4-10 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays wrap up the season series against the Indians and will be looking for their 3rd straight win. Ross Stripling gets the start against Indians righty Tristan McKenzie
