George Springer scored the Blue Jays second run in a 3-2 loss to the Reds
After a solid win over the Reds on the back of a pair of HR by Bo Bichette and 8 excellent innings from Alek Manoah, the Blue Jays were looking for their 3rd straight win and first series sweep of the season. Yusei Kikuchi got the start with Danny Jansen behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had the full day off with Zack Collins DH'ing. Could the Blue Jays get their first sweep of the season? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Reds took the lead in the top of the 1st on s ground rule double by Aristides Aquino that scored Matt Reynolds and Tommy Pham
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 2nd as Matt Chapman singled scoring Santiago Espinal
- The Blue Jays tied the game in the bottom of the 3rd on a ground out by Bo Bichette that scored George Springer
- Graham Ashcraft pitching line: 4.1IP 4H 2R (both earned) 2BB 3K 76 pitches (43 for strikes)
- Yusei Kikuchi pitching line: 4.1IP 2H 2R (both earned) 3BB 7K 86 pitches (49 for strikes)
- The Reds took the lead in the top of the 8th as Joey Votto belted a solo bomb off the right field foul pole
- Art Warren threw a perfect 9th for his 2nd save of the season
- Final score: Reds 3 Blue Jays 2
My Take:
- It was a rough start to the game for Yusei Kikuchi who walked the bases loaded in the first inning and hit a batter. He was lucky to limit the damage to two runs off a ground-rule double. He retired ten batters in a row after hitting Tyler Naquin with 2 outs in the 1st inning. Command has been an issue all season for the Blue Jays southpaw and it looked like he had things figured out until the awful 1st inning today. Nate Pearson is trying to build up to be an option for long relief.
- The bullpen did a decent job overall, but Yimi Garcia gave up three hits, including a solo bomb to Canadian Joey Votto, who was likely playing his final game in Toronto.
- Offensively, the Blue Jays had plenty of chances, including the bases being loaded with one out in the 5th only to have Santiago Espinal pop out to CF on the 1st pitch (not deep enough to plate George Springer) and Matt Chapman strike out swinging at ball 4. The team was a brutal 1-10 with runners in scoring position. Not nearly good enough with the talent in the lineup.
- The Reds retired the final 11 Blue Jays batters in a row.
- Up next, the Blue Jays hit the road for a week, beginning with a mini two-game set in St. Louis. It will be the first time the Blue Jays have played in a National League ball park with the universal DH in effect. Ace Jose Berrios starts against Cardinals righty Miles Mikolas.
