It was double header day at the Roger's center. The Blue Jays were going for a potential 6-game winning streak. Tim Mayza was placed on the 10-day IL with left elbow inflammation. Ryan Borucki was optioned to AAA. Patrick Murphy, Kirby Snead and Trent Thornton (as 27th man for the double-header) were recalled from AAA. Robbie Ray started the 1st game and Jose Berros got the start in the 2nd game. Vlad was DH in the 1st game and in the field for the 2nd game. Alejandro Kirk was behind the plate in the 1st game and Reese McGuire was behind the plate in the 2nd game. George Springer was in the field for the 1st game and DH'd in the 2nd game. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was at 1B in the 1st game and got the 2nd game off. Randal Grichuk had the 1st game off and was in CF the 2nd game. Santiago Espinal was at the hot corner in the 1st game and Breyvic Valera was at the hot corner in the 2nd game. Could the Blue Jays sweep the double header (or at least earn a split)? Here is/are today's game recap(s).
Game Highlights (1st game):
- Robbie Ray pitching line: 6IP 2H 0R 2BB 5K 86 pitches (55 for strikes)
- Nick Pivetta pitching line: 6IP 1H 0R 1BB 5K 76 pitches (49 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays won it in the bottom of the 7th on a solo blast to left by Marcus Semien
- Final score: Blue Jays 1 Red Sox 0
My Take (1st game):
- The first game of the double header was a classic pitcher's duel. Robbie Ray and Nick Pivetta both threw 6 shutout innings. Ray allowed an extra hit and walked an extra batter, but made the pitches when he had to. The Red Sox had runners on 1st and 2nd with none out, but ray struck out Enrique Hernandez, and appeared to induce an inning-ending DP. He brushed it off and got Xander Bogaerts to pop out
- Ray also benefited from several stellar defensive plays (a bare-handed play by Espinal Santiago to end the 3rd, a nice running catch by Teoscar Hernandez to start the 4th and a fine catch in foul territory by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. for the 2nd out in the 2nd)
- Jordan Romano threw a perfect 7th to give the Blue Jays the chance to walk it off
- Offensively, there was not much to comment on. Semien bashed one out to walk it off. The Blue Jays had a grand total of 2 base runners the first 6 innings (a 2-out walk to George Springer in the 6th and a 2-out single in the 5th by Corey Dickerson that broke the perfect game bid by Nick Pivetta
- Up next, the second game of the double header. Jose Berros starts against Red Sox righty Tanner Houck
Game Highlights (2nd game):
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 4th as Breyvic Valera singled scoring Bo Bichette
- Tanner Houck pitching line: 3.2IP 3H 1R (earned) 2BB 6K 74 pitches (43 for strikes)
- The Red Sox tied the game in the top of the 6th as Alex Verdugo belted a solo bomb to dead center
- Jose Berros pitching line: 6IP 5H 1R 0BB 6K 95 pitches (66 for strikes)
- The Red Sox took the lead in the top of the 6th as Jonathan Arauz singled home Franchy Cordero
- Adam Ottavino threw a perfect 8th for his 8th save of the season
- Final score: Red Sox 2 Blue Jays 1
My Take (2nd game):
- Jose Berros had another strong start, allowing 1 run on 5 hits while walking none and striking out 6. Berros had out streaks of 7 and 8 batters in a row. He really made the one mistake pitch for his first run against in a Blue Jays uniform.
- Trevor Richards benefited from two HUGE throws from Reese McGuire to pick off and catch base runners on second base.
- Much like the first game of this double header, the offense was unable to come through when it counted. The Blue Jays had 2 chances to extend the game in the 8th with Vlad on 3rd with 1 out, but Bo Bichette hit a weak ground out and Teoscar Hernandez struck out swinging to end the game
- Corey Dickerson and Marcus Semien were the only Blue Jays with hits in both games of the double header.
- The Blue Jays were 1-9 with runners in scoring position
- In terms of the wild card standings, the Yankees and A's both won which did not help the Blue Jays cause. The Blue Jays are now 3 games back of Oakland for the 2nd WC spot and 2 games back of the Yankees, who are a game back of the A's
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to wrap up the home stand with a win. Ace Hyun-Jin Ryu starts against Red Sox righty Garrett Richards
