After ekeing out a win yesterday with a clutch extra innings hit by Corey Dickerson, and efficient pitching performances from starter Alek Manoah and closer Jordan Romano, the Blue Jays were looking tomake it two wins in a row. Jarrod Dyson joined the team, but was not in the starting lineup. Jose Berros got the start. Reese McGuire was behind the plate and Alejandro Kirk DH'd. Kevin Smith was at the hot corner after Santiago Espinal injured his hip flexor last night (he was placed on the 10-day IL). Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was in LF with a lefty on the mound. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday. Could the Blue Jays make it two straight wins? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Bo Bichette whacked an opposite-field solo blast to right-center
- The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 4th as Kevin Smith smashed his 1st career HR to left-center and into the Blue Jays bullpen
- Matthew Boyd pitching line: 4IP 4H 2R (both earned) 2BB 5K 71 pitches (44 for strikes)
- The Tigers got one back in the bottom of the 6th as Harold Castro singled scoring Jonathan Schoop
- Jose Berros pitching line: 7IP 6H 1R (unearned) 0BB 11K 97 pitches (74 for strikes)
- Tim Mayza got the finmal 4 outs for his 1st save of the season
- Final score: Blue Jays 2 Tigers 1
My Take:
- Jose Berros was excellent, allowing one run (unearned) on six hits while walking none and striking out eleven. At one point he retired 7 in a row. The Blue Jays need their starters to pitch like Cy Young every night.
- The bullpen did what it had to, allowing a pair of hits and striking out a batter in the final 2 innings
- The offense continues to sputter and got two solo shots, which was enough to win today. The Blue Jays were 0-10 with runners in scoring position.
- Jarrod Dyson struck out in his first AB as a Blue Jay.
- In terms of the WC race, the Mariners and Red Sox were both leading their games at the time of the release of the recap. The Yankees and A's were set to play later in the day. For now, the Blue Jays gained a half game with the win, but were likely to drop a half games to at least one team depending on the outcomes of the games.
- Up next, the Blue Jays return home to begin a series with the Orioles, who recently lost 19 in a row. The Blue Jays have won 6 of 9 games against the Orioles in the season series so far and have outscored the O's 64-39. Robbie Ray starts against Orioles righty Chris Ellis.
