Sunday, September 12, 2021

Games #141 and 142 Toronto Blue Jays (79-63) @ Baltimore Orioles (46-96) - game recap (records will reflect what it was after the second game)

 

Teoscar Hernandez scored 3 times in the 1st game and scored twice and drove in 3 runs as the Blue Jays came from behind in both games of today's double header to defeat the Orioles by scores of 11-2 and 11-10

After having their eight game win streak snapped on a rare bad start from Robbie Ray and the offense failing to drive in runs. Today was a double header day. Hyun-Jin Ryu started the first game and Thomas Hatch started the second game. Danny Jansen was behind the plate in the first game and Alejandro Kirk was behind the plate in the 2nd game. Corey Dickerson was in CF the 1st game and Randal Grichuk was in CF the 2nd game. Jake Lamb started 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? Here is/are today's game recap(s)

Game Highlights (1st game):

  • The Orioles opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Anthony Santander hammered a 2-run bomb to left; also scoring Trey Mancini
  • The Blue Jays tied the game in the top of the 2nd as Lourdes Gurriel Jr. drilled a 2-run bomb to left-center; also scoring Teoscar Hernandez
  • The Orioles retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning on a ground out by Richie Martin that scored Pedro Severino
  • A batter later, Austin Hays bashed a 2-run blast to left; also scoring Kelvin Gutierrez
  • The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 3rd on a solo bomb by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to dead center 
  • The Orioles added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 3rd as Ryan McKenna doubled scoring Mancini and Santander
  • Hyun-Jin Ryu pitching line: 2.1IP 8H 7R (all earned) 1BB 4K 69 pitches (49 for strikes)
  • The Blue Jays got a pair back in the top of the 4th as Danny Jansen bashed a 2-run blast to left; also scoring Jake Lamb
  • The Orioles added a run in the bottom half of the inning as Hays whacked a solo blast to left
  • A batter later, Ryan Mountcastle hammered a solo bomb to left-center 
  • Three batters later, Pedro Severino singled home Santander\
  • Dean Kremer pitching line: 4IP 7H 5R (all earned) 1BB 2K 66 pitches (41 for strikes)
  • The Blue Jays got a pair back in the top of the 5th as Lamb singled scoring Hernandez and Bo Bichette 
  • The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 7th as Lourdes Gurrie Jr. singled home Hernandez
  • A batter later, Corey Dickerson scored on a sac fly by Lamb
  • Two batters later, George Springer hammered a 2-run bomb to left; also scoring Jarrod Dyson
  • Jordon Romano pitched a scoreless 7th for his 17th save of the season
  • Final score: Blue Jays 11 Orioles 10

My Take (1st game):

  • It was a rough start for Hyun-Jin Ryu, who had his shortest outing of the season, going 2.1 innings. He was lit up, giving up 7 runs on 8 hits, while walking 1 and striking out 2. He left his last start with stiffness in his pitching forearm and you have to wonder if that affected him today. 
  • The bullpen was only marginally better. Ross Stripling gave up 3 runs on 5 hits, including a pair of home runs. Nate Pearson pitched 2 scoreless innings, walking 2 and allowing a hit. Jordan Romano was his usual automatic self, but needed a great catch by Jarrod Dyson to prevent what could have been a disastorous inning.
  • The offense chipped away at the lead and was clutch when it mattered most. George Springer, essentially playing on one leg, bashed the game winnning HR. Teoscar Hernandez scored 3 times. Jake Lamb drove in three and scored one himself. Vlad got hit 43rd HR of the season, one bahind Shohei Ohtani.
  • The Blue Jays were 3-12 with runners in scoring position
  • Up next, the second game of the double header. Thomas Hatch 

Game Highlights (2nd game):

  • The Orioles opened the scoring in the bottom of the 3rd as Cedric Mullins hammerd a solo bomb to right 
  • Thomas Hatch pitching line: 4IP  3H 1R (earned) 2BB 3K 63 pitches (38 for strikes)
  • The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 9th as Bo Bichette hammered a 2-run bomb to left-also scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
  • Two batters later, Alejandro Kirk whacked an opposite-field shot to right; also scoring Teoscar Hernandez
  • Three batters later, Jarrod Dyson scored on a sac fly by Breyvic Valera
  • Two batters later, Marcus Semien bashed - 3-run bash to left-center; also scoring Randal Grichuk and George Springer 
  • Three batters later, Hernandez smashed a 3-run Guerrero Jr. and Bichette 
  • The Orioles got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Mullins scored on a throwing error by Bichette on a ball hit by Richie Martin
  • Final score: Blue Jays 11 Orioles 2

My Take (2nd game):

  • Thomas Hatch threw 4 solid innings, giving up a run on 3 hits while walking 2BB 3K. He retired the final seven batters he faced
  • Alejandro Kirk got a scare when he was clobbered by the bat of DJ Stewart on the back swing. After being thoroughly checked out by Blue Jays trainer Jose Ministral, he was able to stay in the game
  • The bullpen was solid, giving up an unearned run in garbage time thanks to a throwing error by Bo Bichette and striking out 4 batters over the final 3 innings
  • After being shut down by Orioles starter Keegan Akin for the first six innings, the Blue Jays offence exploded for 11 runs on 11 hits, including 4 home runs and a sac fly. After allowing a leadoff walk to start the game, Akin retired the 18 of the next 19 batters, including 15 straight before the Blue Jays finally got to him and the Orioles bullpen in the 7th.
  • The Blue Jays were 2-5 with runners in scoring position.
  • In terms of the wild card race, The Yankees and Red Sox both won and the Mariners were losing in the 9th, meaning the Blue Jays are now tied with the Yankees for the 2nd WC spot and could potentially by 2 games up on the Mariners. 
  • Up next, the Blue Jays go for the series win snd 3 straight wins overall. Steven Matz starts against Orioles lefty Zac Lowther