After another hard fought game which the Blue Jays won on the strength of a comeback and a superb bullpen. Today, the Blue Jays were looking for their first series sweep. Yusei Kiukuchi got the start with Zack Collins behind the plate. George Springer was back in the field after missing 2 full games and DH'ing yesterday after getting hit in the forearm by a pitch Wednesday. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Cavan Biggio at 1B. Raimel Tapia was in RF. Could the Blue Jays make it 5 straight wins and their first series sweep of the season? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Astros opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Chas McCormick singled scoring Aledmys Diaz
- Two batters later, Jeremy Pena was forced in by a bases loaded walk to Alex Bregman
- The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 4th on a sac fly by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. that scored George Springer
- The Astros added a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning as Michael Brantley hammered a 2-ryun bomb to right; also scoring Martin Maldanado
- Yusei Kikuchi pitching line: 3.2IP 3H 4R (2 earned) 5BB 4K 77 pitches (44 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 5th as Lourdes Gurriel Jr. belted a solo bomb to left-center
- The Astros added a run in the bottom half of the inning as Yuli Gurriel scored on a throwing error by Cavan Biggio on a ball hit by Pena
- The Blue Jays tied the game in the top of the 6th as Zack Collins whacked a 3-run blast to right; also scoring Springer and Guerrero Jr.
- Luis Garcia pitching line: 6IP 5H 5R (all earned) 1BB 6K 66 pitches (46 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 7th as Santiago Espinal doubled home Raimel Tapia
- The Astros tied the game in the bottom half of the inning as Diaz singled scoring Gurriel
- The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 10th as Gurriel Jr. doubled scoring Bo Bichette
- The Astros won it in the bottom half of the inning on a walk-off HR by Pena to dead center; also scoring Kyle Tucker
- Final score: Astros 8 Blue Jays 7
- Yusei Kikuchi had a rough outing, throwing 3.2 innings, giving up 4 runs, two of which were unearned thanks to a throwing error by Cavan Biggio_ on 3 hits whle walking 5 and striking out 4. Control was always going to be the concern for Kikuchi and today it hurt him big time as he threw 77 pitches in just 3.2 innings of work. He'll certainly be needed a couple more times with Ryu still sidelined with a forearm strain and the Blue Jays having another 2 weeks of baseball before their next off-days.
- The bullpen, which had been such as a strength this season could not hold the lead today. In 5.2 innings, 7 relievers combined to give up 4 runs on 8 hits while walking none and striking out 6. Jordan Romano saw his save streak end at 31 straight saves. The last time he blew a save before today was April 8, 2021.
- The bats came alive today with 2 home runs and lots of clutch hitting. Every Blue Jays starter except Matt Chapman and Cavan Biggio had at least one hit
- Up next, the Blue Jays head home for a rematch with the Red Sox, who they won 2 of 3 against at Fenway Park last Tuesday-Thursday. Jose Berrios starts against Red Sox righty Nathan Eovaldi
