After a sorely needed series win over the Tigers, the Blue Jays returned home to take on the struggling Orioles, who have won just 3 of their last 25 games. The Blue Jays have won 6 of the 9 games against the Orioles this season and outscored the Orioles 64-39. Carl Jr. Edwards cleared waivers and is now a free agent. George Springer returned to the lineup as DH with Josh Palacios being optioned to AAA. Robbie Ray got the start with Alejandro Kirk DH'ing. Jarrod Dyson got his first start as a lue Jay in CF. Corey Dickerson was in LF and Teo was in RF. Kevin Smith was at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays make it three straight wins? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Orioles opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Ryan Mountcastle whacked a solo blast to left-center
- The Blue Jays tied the game in the bottom of the 4th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hammered a solo bomb to the second deck in left
- Chris Ellis pitching line: 4.2IP 2H 1R (earned) 1BB 2K 69 pitches (41 for strikes)
- The Orioles took the lead in the top of the 6th as Mountcastle singled scoring Kelvin Gutierrez
- The Blue Jays tied the game in the bottom half of the inning as Bo Bichette singled home George Springer
- A batter later, Teoscar Hernandez doubled scoring Marcus Semien and Bichette
- The Blue Jays added 3 runs in the bottom of the 7th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drilled a three-run bomb to left; also scoring Kevin Smith and Springer
- Robbie Ray pitching line: 7IP 4H 2R (both earned) 1BB 10K 97 pitches (62 for strikes)
- The Orioles got a run back in top of the 9th Pedro Severino singled home Mountcastle
- Jordan Romano got the final 2 outs for his 14th save of the season.
- Final score: Blue Jays 7 Orioles 3
My Take:
- Robbie Ray had another excellent performance and his 3rd straight start with 10+ strikeouts. There's no question at this point that Ray will have a significantly higher salary next year and the Blue Jays will almost certainly have to break open the piggy bank to re-sign him as he'll be highly coveted this off-season. Ryan Mountcastle was about the only Oriole to touch Ray tonight, launching a solo shot and later driving in a run with a single
- The bullpen was decent tonight, but Trent Thornton allowed a run on 2 hits and a walk and retired just one batter,
- The Blue Jays offence came through in a big way. Vlad, who'd been slumping all month, bashed 2 big bombs for 4 runs. Teo doubled home a pair and speedster Jarrod Dyson stole a pair of bases and drew the walk that jumpstarted the offense.
- Everyone but Marcus Semien (he drew a walk), Alejandro Kirk, Corey Dickenson, and Kevin Smith (drew a walk) had at least one hit
- The Blue Jays were 3-7 with runners in scoring position
- The Blue Jays might catch a break tonight in the WC race. The Red Sox lost and the Yankees and Mariners were both losing at the time of this positng The A's were off so the Blue Jays gained a half game on them.
- Up next, the Blue Jays go for 4 straight wins. It will be a battle of the lefties with ace Hyun-Jin Ryu pitching against Orioles southpaw Keegan Akin
