Marcus Semien was 3-5 with 2 runs scored and 4 RBI in a 10-7 loss to the White Sox
After another late game rally and outstanding performance by Robbie Ray, the Blue Jays were going for their second straight win. Hyun-Jin Ryu got the start with Reese McGuire behind the plate. Alejandro Kirk DH'd in an effort to create more offense. Kevin Smith was in LF and Vlad was back in thefield after DH'ing yesterday. Could the Blue Jays make it two wins in a row? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Marcus Semien bashed a solo blast to left
- The White Sox tied it up in the top of the 2nd as Cesar Hernandez whacked a solo shot just over the fence in left
- The White Sox added a pair of runs in the top of the 3rd as Luis Robert drilled a 2-run bomb to left-center; also scoring Tim Anderson
- A batter later, Jose Abreu smack a solo blast to left
- The White Sox added a pair of runs in the top of the 4th as Leury Garcia doubled scoring Andrew Vaughn and Hernandez
- Two batters later, Anderson singled home Garcia
- Hyun-Jin Ryu pitching line: 3.2IP 7J 7R (all earned) 1BB 4K 66 pitches (45 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 5th as Semien singled scoring Reese McGuire
- The White Sox added a run in the top of the 6th as Seby Zavala doubled scoring Garcia.
- A batter laater, Anderson singled home Zavala
- Carlos Rodon pitching line: 5IP 5H 2R (both earned) 1BB 3K 67 pitches (46 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Randal Grichuk singled home Alejandro Kirk
- A batter later, Santiago Espinal scored on a ground out by Corey Dickerson
- Two batters later, Bo Bichette singled home Grichuk
- A batter later, Semien hammered a 2-run bomb to left; also scoring Bichette
- Bench coach John Schneider was ejected by home plate umpire Jordan Baker for arguing balls and strikes
- The White Sox added a run in thetop of the 9th as Eloy Jimenez drilled a solo bomb to dead center
- Craig Kimbrel pitched a scoreless 9th for his 24th save of the season
- Final score: White Sox 10 Blue Jays 7
My Take:
- Hyun-Jin Ryu was lit up for 7 runs on 7 hits while walking one and striking out 4 over 3.2 innings pitched. He started out well, getting through the first inning in just 9 pitches, but then he started getting too much of the plate and the White Sox took him yard three times for 4 runs over the nex two innings. He then couldn't get out of the 4th inning. Robbie Ray is really the ace at this point.
- The bullpen had mixed results. Taylor Saucedo and Trent Thornton both had clean 1.1 inning appearances. Brad Hand allowed 2 runs on 3 hits in 0.2 of an inning. Trevor Richards allowed a solo shot in the 9th that REALLY put the game out of reach. Craig Kimbrel is still a formidable reliever and getting 2 runs off him is hard, asking the offense to get three runs was impossible. Hand, it's fair to say, was a bad trade, especially for not one but 2 top prospects.
- Marcus Semien had the hot bat today, going 3-5 with 2 runs scored and 4 RBI.
- It was encouraging to see the struggling offense put up a 5-spot in the 6th inning.
- Every Blue Jays starter, except Kevin Smith and Santiago Espinal had at least one hit.
- The Blue Jays were 3-7 with runners in scoring position and they did not hit into any double plays.
- In terms of the wild card race, the Blue Jays dropped a half game to the teams above them (A's, Red Sox, Yankees, Mariners) with the loss. Go Yankees, Twins and Royals.
- Up next, the Blue Jays hit the road for a quick weekend series in Detroit before beginning a 6 game, 7-day home stand against the Orioles and A's. Tommorrow night's pitching matchup features Steven Matz up against Tigers righty Matt Manning
