After an unbelieveable game where the Blue Jays came back not once, not twice but three times from deficits to defeat the A's. With 2 outs in the 8th, the Blue Jays were down 8-2. First Vlad knocked in a run, then the A's pitchers turned wild, hitting a batter and walking 2 batters, including one with the bases loaded, then Lourdes drilled the first pitch he saw into the second deck. TheA's retook the lead in the 9th, but the Blue Jays got to closer Sergio Romo, who never recorded an out, giving up a single doubleand walk-off no-doubter deep into the second deck in left/ By all rights, the Blue Jays shoud have lost this game after Alek Manoah was knocked around, Nate Pearson gave up a pair and Jordan Romano had a rare bad inning. Mark Lamb was added to the roster and Kirby Snead was optioned to AAA. The Blue Jays were looking to carry that momentum into today's matinee with Jose Berrios on the bump. Danny Jansen was behind the plate. Breyvic Valera was at the hot corner. George Springer continues to be the primary DH with Lourdes in LF, Corey Dickerson in CF and Teo in RF. Could the Blue Jays make it three wins in a row? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Lourdes Gurriel Jr. belted a solo bomb to left-center
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 3rd as Danny Jansen bashed a solo bomb to the second deck in left
- The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 4th as Breyvic Valera bashed a 2-run blast to right and into the A's bullpen; also scoring Gurriel
- Paul Blackburn pitching line: 3.2IP 9H 4R (all earned) 0BB 3K 69 pitches (43 for strikes)
- The A's got one back in the top of the 5th as Matt Chapman hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- The A's got one back in the top of the 7th as Mark Canha singled scoring Matt Olson
- A batter later, Chad Pinder singled home Canha
- Jose Berrios pitching line: 6.2IP 4H 3R (all earned) 0BB 7K 103 pitches (71 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added three runs in the bottom half of the inning as Teoscar Hernandez smashed a 3-run blast and his 100th career HR to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen; also scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette
- The Blue Jays added three runs in the bottom of the 8th as Gurriel Jr. doubled scoring Guerrero Jr., Bichette and Hernandez
- The A's got three back in the top of the 9th as Canha ripped a 3-run blast to left; also scoring Chapman and Austin Allen
- Two batters later, Sean Murphy hammered a 2-run bomb to the second deck in left; also scoring Pinder
- Final score: Blue Jays 10 A's 8
My Take:
- Jose Berrios had a solid start, allowing 3 runs (all earned) on 4 hits while walking none and striking out 7. He retired 10 in a row between beaning Tony Kemp and having Matt Chapman take him yard.
- The bullpen nearly blew this one. A day after the Blue Jays put up a 6-spot to tie the game, the A's cut a 7-run deficit heading into the ninth to two with a pair of long balls, including the 2nd in as many days off closer Jordan Romano, who settled down and retired the next three batters to end the game.
- The offense had another big day with every Blue Jays starter having at least one hit. Danny Jansen is on fire after his latest stint on the IL. He had a solo HR and a pair of doubles. Breyvic Valera also went yard. A day after hitting the grand slam to tie the game, Lourdes Gurriel Jr hit a clutch bases clearing double in the 6ththat was needed in the end. Teo bashed a 3-run shot and scored another run. Great to see the offense come to life when needed most.
- In terms of the wild card race, the Yankees lost, the Red Sox were leading in the 8th inning and the Mariners were taking on the lowly Diamodbacks later in the day.
- Up next, the Blue Jays wrap up the home stand with a matinee before a crucial 8 games in 7 days road trip that will include a double-header in Baltimore next Saturday. Tomorrow will be a battle of the lefties with Robbie Ray pitching against A's southpaw Cole Irvin
