Game #22- Houston Astros (11-10) @ Toronto Blue Jays (14-8) - game recap

  

George Springer hit a pair of solo HR as the Blue Jays edged the Astros 2-1

After dropping the opener of the weekend set against the Astros after Yusei Kikuchi had a rough outing, allowing 4 runs and walking 3 and Trevor Richards spotting Houston 5 runs on a pair of HR to put the game out of reach, the Blue Jays were looking to even the series and guarantee a draw in the season series with a win today. Ace Jose Berrios was on the bump with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. George Springer got the half day off as DH with Bradley Zimmer in CF. The rest of the lineup was the same as yesterday. Could the Blue Jays even the weekend series? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as George Springer led off with a solo blast to left-center and into the Blue Jays bullpen
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 3rd as Springer smacked a solo bast to left-center 
• The Astros got one back in the top of the 4th as Yonder Alonzo drilled a solo bomb to dead center
• Jose Berrios pitching line: 5.2IP7H 1R (earned) 2BB 5K 85 pitches (60 for strikes)
• Luis Garcia pitching line: 6IP 5H 2R (both earned)  1BB 5K 86 pitches (57 for strikes)
• Jordan Romano threw a perfect 9th for his 10th save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 2 Astros 1

My Take:

• Jose Berrios had a solid start, giving up one run on 7 hits while walking 2 and striking out 5. After a disastrous opening day start, Berrios has looked more like an ace, pitching 5, 6 and 7 innings in his last 3 starts. The Blue Jays have won every time he has started, but he only has credit for one win.
• The bullpen was sharp again, allowing a hit and a walk over the final 3.1 innings. Tim Mayza and Jordan Romano combined to retire the final four Astro batters
• Offensively, it was the George Springer show. The former Astros CF torched his former team with 2 solo shots. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Bo Bichette, who had a pair of hits each, had the other 4 Blue Jays hits. Raimel Tapia and Matt Chapman each drew a walk. The remainder of the lineup went 0-fer
• The Blue Jays were an abysmal 0-9 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays go for the season series win. This will be important because the season series win would mean the Blue Jays would hold the tiebreaker. Kevin Gausman starts against Astros lefty Framber Valdez