After a 1-0 shutout win on a pitching clinic from Alek Manoah, Adam Cimber and Jordan Romano to earn the Blue Jays their 5th series win and first series win of a four-game series, the Blue Jays opened a weekend set against the Astros and were looking for their 2nd straight win. Prior to the game, the Blue Jays optioned righty Bowden Francis to AAA-ball and called up infielder Vinny Capra to the big club. Yusei Kikuchi got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. Vlad was back in the lineup and at 1B after missing yesterday after fouling a ball off his foot. George Springer was back in CF after DH'ing yesterday. Zack Collins served as DH tonight. Could the Blue Jays make it two wins in a row? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Astros opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Alex Bregman hammered a solo bomb to left-center and into the Blue Jays bullpen
- The Blue Jays tied it up in the bottom of the 2nd as Raimeel Tapia doubled scoring Matt Chapman
- The Astros took the lead in the top of the 3rd as Yordan Alvarez singled home Jeremy Pena
- A batter later, Yuli Gurriel doubled scoring Bregman
- A batter after that, Alvarez scored on a sac fly by Kyle Tucker
- Yusei Kikuchi pitching line: 2.2IP 4H 4R (all earned) 3BB 4K 66 pitches (39 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays tied the game in the bottom half of the inning as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. bashed a three-run bomb to left-center; also scoring Tyler Heineman and George Springer
- The Astros retook the lead in the top of the 4th on a sac fly by Chas McCormick that scored Jose Siri
- The Astros added 3 runs in the top of the 6th as Pena whacked a 3-run blast to left-center; also scoring Martin Maldonado and McCormick
- Two batters later, Alvarez hit a 2-run opposite field shot to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen; also scoring Bregman
- Jose Urquidy pitching line: 5IP 7H 4R (all earned) 1BB 6K 90 pitches (57 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Heineman singled scoring Tapia
- The Blue Jays got a pair back in the bottom of the 7th as Chapman annihilated a 2-run bomb off the facing of the 5th deck; also scoring Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
- The Astros added a run in the top of the 8th as Tucker doubled home Alvarez
- Final score: Astros 11 Blue Jays 7
- It was another rough night for YuseI Kikuchi, who gave up 4 runs on 4 hits while walking 3 and striking out 4. Control has been a big issue for Kikuchi and he has not been able to make the pitches when he needs to to prevent big innings. It's clear that Pete Walker has a lot of work to do to fix Kikuchi
- The bullpen had a rough night, giving up 7 runs on 10 hits while walking 5 and striking out 7 over the final 5.1 innings. Trent Thornton was saddled with the loss, but it should have been Trevor Richards who was given an L on his record. After all, the Astros did the most damage when he was pitching, adding 5 runs on a 3-run shot and a 2-run HR. The 5-run inning eliminated any chances of winning.
- Taylor Saucedo's hip injury leaves the Blue Jays with just one healthy lefty reliever (Tim Mayza) with Ryan Borucki already on the IL with a blister on his middle finger.
- Offensively, the Blue Jays showed tenacity, erasing a three-run deficit. However, they were unable to outscore the bad day by the relievers, but not for lack of trying.
- Every Blue Jays starter except Bo Bichette and Zack Collins had at least one hit.
- The Blue Jays were 3-12 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to even the weekend series and guarantee a draw in the season series. Jose Berrios starts against Astros righty Luis Garcia
