Teoscar Hernandez scored a run and drove in a run in a 6-3 loss to the Angels
After a solid win on the strength of another outstanding performance by Alek Manoah and a grand slam by Teoscar Hernandez, the Blue Jays were looking to make it 3 out of 4 vs. the Angels. Tommy Milone cleared waivers and is now a free agent. Jose Berros got the start. Reese McGuire was behind the plate. George Springer got the half day off as DH with Corey Dickerson in LF, Randal Grichuk in CF and Teoscar Hernandez in RF. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday. Bo Bichette remained out with general body soreness, especially in the shins. Could the Blue Jays make it three straight wins? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Angels opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd on a sac fly by Kurt Suzuki that scored Jo Adell.
- Three batters later, Jared Walsh singled scoring Shohei Ohtani and Brandon Marsh
- A batter after that, Phil Gosselin singled scoring David Fletcher
- The Angels added a run in the bottom of the 3rd as Suzuki doubled scoring Jose Iglesias
- The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 4th as Teoscar Hernandez singled scoring Marcus Semien
- Two batters later, Randal Grichuk doubled home Hernandez
- Corey Dickerson was removed from the game with lower back tightness
- The Angels added a run in the bottom of the 5th as Adell singled home Iglesias
- Jose Berros pitching line: 4.1IP 8H 6R (all earned) 4BB 3K 93 pitches (60 for strikes)
- Shohei Ohtani pitching line: 6IP 3H 2R (both earned) 3BB 6K 99 pitches (62 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 9th as Lourdes Gurriel Jr. whacked a solo blast to left
- Final score: Angels 6 Blue Jays 3
My Take:
- Jose Berros had a rough start, giving up 6 runs on 8 hits while walking 4 and striking out 3 over 4.1 innings.. It was one of those games every pitcher goes through where Berros simply did not have his best stuff. Every inning Berros was contending with multiple base runners, including the 1st inning where he was able to pitch out of a bases loaded jam with one out. His best inning was the 4th where he retired the side in order, including 2 strikeouts
- The bullpen mostly held the fort, with Trent Thornton allowing an inherited run to score (he gave up one other hit as well). Kirby Snead gave up a hit and walk in his 1.2 innings. As a whole the bullpen has been much better since Shapiro basically overturned it with several key acquisitions through trade.
- Not much doing offensively tonight. The Blue Jays got to Ohtani with a couple of runs in the 5th and got a garbage time solo shot in the 9th
- It was nice to see Vlad get on base twice. He has been more patient at the plate the last couple of days.
- The Blue Jays were 2-4 with runners in scoring position
- In terms of the wild card standings, both the Yankees and Red Sox lost while the A's blew out the Indians. The Blue Jays remain 2.5 games back of the 2nd WC spot and a half game back of the Yankees, who are 2 games back of the 2nd WC spot
- Up next, the Blue Jays head north to Seattle. The Mariners took 2 of the 3 games in Buffalo, and outscored the Blue Jays 19-18. Friday's pitching matchup pits Robbie Ray against Mariners righty Chris Flexen
