After eking out a win yesterday, the Blue Jays were going for 5 straight wins and their first series sweep. Ace Jose Berrios got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad and Teo got complete days off with Cavan Biggio at 1B and Bradley Zimmer in RF. George Springer was back in CF after the complete day off yesterday. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was back in LF after DH'ing yesterday. Raimel Tapia DH'd today. Could the Blue Jays make it 5 straight wins and notch their 1st series sweep of the season? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Angels took the lead in the bottom of the 1st as Shohei Ohtani whacked a solo blast to right-center
- The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 2nd as Lourdes Gurriel Jr. doubled scoring Alejandro Kirk and Cavan Biggio
- The Angels tied the game in the bottom half of the inning as on a triple by Luis Rengifo, who scored on a throwing error by Santiago Espinal
- The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 3rd as Kirk singled scoring George Springer
- Three batters later, Kirk was forced in on a bases loaded walk to Gurriel Jr.
- A batter later, Raimel Tapia singled scoring Matt Chapman and Biggio
- The Angels got a pair back in the bottom half of the inning as Ohtani drilled a 2-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Taylor Ward
- Five batters later, Max Stassi singled scoring Rengifo and Jared Walsh
- Patrick Sandoval pitching line: 3IP 5H 6R (5 earned) 3BB 4K 72 pitches (46 for strikes)
- Jose Berrios pitching line: 2.1IP 6R 6H (all earned) 1BB 1K 56 pitches (36 for strikes)
- The Angels added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 4th as Ward hammered a 2-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Tyler Wade
- The Angels added a run in the bottom of the 6th as Ward doubled home Wade
- The Blue Jays got one back in the top of 7th as Bo Bichette was forced in on a bases loaded walk to Gurriel Jr.
- A batter later, Tapia singled scoring Kirk
- A batter after that, Chapman was forced in on a bases loaded walk to Teoscar Hernandez
- The Angels retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Stassi smashed a solo blast to straightaway center
- The Blue Jays tied the game in the top of the 8th as Bo Bichette belted a solo bomb to dead center
- Four batters later, Gurriel Jr. doubled scoring Kirk
- David Phelps threw a scoreless ninth for his 1st save of the season
My Take:
- Jose Berrios had a rough outing, getting lit up for 6 runs on 6 hits while walking one and striking out 1 over just 2.1 innings. He gave up at least one run in all three innings and Shohei Ohtani took him deep twice. He got just 4 swings and misses all day and there were several hard hit balls. No doubt he needs a good session with Pete Walker.
- It's a good thing the Blue Jays have an off-day tomorrow because the bullpen had to really work the last 2 days. With starter Jose Berrios only getting seven outs, the bullpen had to deal with the Angels red hot bats. Six relievers held the Angels to 4 runs on 6 hits while walking 3 and striking out 10 over the final 6.1 innings. Ryan Borucki allowed 4 runs, two charged to Jose Berrios, in an inning of work. He'll have more opportunities with Taylor Saucedo and Tim Mayza both on the IL. Adam Cimber was credited with the win, giving him 6 on the season.
- It was a slugfest on both sides with 21 combined runs. Only one run on the Blue Jays side came off the long ball (the final game-tying run in the 8th inning by Bo Bichette. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. gave the Blue Jays the lead for good four batters later with a clutch double)
- The Blue Jays can thank inept Angels pitching for three of the runs. They came on bases loaded walks
- Every Blue Jays starter except Santiago Espinal and Bradley Zimmer had at least one hit.
- The Blue Jays were a solid 7-17 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, after a well-earned off-day tomorrow the Blue Jays open up a week long home stand beginning with a trio against the White Sox, who are 2nd in the AL Central. The North siders won the season series 4-3 last season and outscored the Blue Jays 30-23. Kevin Gausman starts the opener. The White Sox will counter with righty Lucas Giolito
