Saturday, August 21, 2021

Game #121 Detroit Tigers (59-66) @ Toronto Blue Jays (64-57) - game recap

 

Hyun-Jin Ryu threw 7 shutout innings in a 3-0 shutout win over the Tigers

After a brutal loss yesterday due to an inept offense and the bullpen spotting the Tigers three runs in extra innings, the Blue Jays were looking to snap the three game losing streak. Rafael Dolis cleared waivers and was assigned to Buffalo. Hyun-Jin Ryu got the start, Reese McGuire was behind the plate, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. DH'd with Corey Dickerson was in LF. Could the Blue Jays snap the 3-gane skid? ere is today's game recap.

Game Highlights;

  • The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Randal Grichuk whacked a 2-run shot to left-center and into the Blue Jays bullpen; also scoring Santiago Espinal
  • Wily Peralta pitching line: 6IP 6H 2R (both earned) 1BB 2K 64 pitches (61 for strikes)
  • Htyun-Jin Ryu pitching line: 7IP 5H 0R 1BB 5K 105 pitches (70 for strikes)
  • The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 8th as Marcus Semien drilled a solo bomb to the second deck in left
  • Jordan Romano pitched a scoreless 9th for his 11th save of the season
  • Final score: Blue Jays 3 Tigers 0

My Take:

  • Hyun-Jin Ryu gave the Blue Jays what they desperately needed: 7 shutout innings, scattering 5 hits while walking none and striking out 5. Ryu has generally lived up to his hefty contract and been the ace the Blue Jays signed.
  • The bullpen was excellent tonight, allowing just one hit while striking out 4, including closer Romano striking out the side
  • The offense did enough on this day as Ryu and the pitching was good enough to allow a 2-run jack by Randal Grichuk to stand. Marcus Semien gave Romano a third insurance run with a solo bomb in the 8th. Unfortunately, not much doing in between.
  • The Blue Jays were 0-2 with runners in scoring position and they grounded into 2 more double plays 
  • In terms of the wild card race, the Yankees and Rays both won earlier today, the A's were leading San Francisco at the time of this posting and the Red Sox were slated to play the Rangers later. The Blue Jays are 5 back of the A's for the 2nd WC spot, 1 back of Seatlle (the Mariners are 4 back of the A's) and 4.5 games behind the Red Sox, who are a half game back of the A's. The Blue Jays aren't winning the AL East (they are 10.5 games back of the Rays, who are 1st in the AL East and 4 games ahead of the 2nd place Yankees
  • Up next, the Blue Jays try to make it 2 wins in a row. Steven Matz starts against ex-Blue Jays righty Drew Hutchinon