After a huge come-from behind victory yesterday after a disastrous start that saw the Blue Jays fall behind 7-0 at one point, the Blue Jays were looking to make it two wins in a row to start the 2022 season. Kevin Gausman started his first regular season game as a Blue Jay. Alejandro Kirk was his battery mate after DH'ing yesterday. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. got the half day off as DH with Raimel Tapia making his Blue Jays debut in LF. Could the Blue Jays make it two wins in a row to open 2022?
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled scoring George Springer
- Two batters later, Bo Bichette scored on a fielder's choice hit by Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
- The Rangers got one back in the top of the 3rd as Marcus Semien doubled home Jonah Heim
- A batter later, Brad Miller scored on a ground out by Corey Seager
- A batter after that, Nathaniel Lowe singled scoring Semien
- The Blue Jays tied the game in the bottom of the 5th as Bichette whacked a solo blast to left-center
- Kevin Gausman pitching line: 5IP 8H 3R (all earned) 0BB 5K 80 pitches (57 for strikes)
- Dane Dunning pitching line: 5IP 5H 3R (all earned) 2BB 4K 74 pitches (47 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the 6th as Santiago Espinal doubled scoring Raimel Tapia
- Jordan Romano pitcheda perfect 9th for his second save of the season
- Final score: Blue Jays 4 Rangers 3
My Take:
- Unlike Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman was able to overcome his nerves and keep his emotions in check to pitch five solid innings in his Blue Jays debut. After retiring the first two batters he faced, Gausman allowed a couple of singles in a row, but was bailed out of the inning by a great catch by Cavan Biggio. Gausman had a rough 3rd inning when he allowed 3 runs on 5 hits. Overall, Gausman should be satisfied with the result. No doubt Pete Walker will work on a few things with Gausman and he'll be even better next start.
- It was nice to see the Blue Jays jump out of the gate tonight, scoring a pair in the 1st inning, What I especially liked was that only one run was scored on a long ball. Good teams can score in multiple ways. Home runs are exciting but can't be relied upon every night.
- Reimal Tapia was 0-3 in his Blue Jays debut, but scored the game winning run.
- The Blue Jays were an abysmal 1-10 with runners in scoring position.
- Up next, the Blue Jays go for a series sweep. Lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu starts against Rangers righty Spencer Howard.
