After eking out their 6th straight win on the strength of a pair of 2-run HR from Alejandro Kirk and 5 solid innings from Kevin Gausman, the Blue Jays were looking to make it a season-high 7 straight wins and 10 series wins. Hyun-Jin Ryu got the start with his personal catcher Danny Jansen behind the plate. George Springer got the full day off with Raimel Tapia in CF. Santiago Espinal was at 2B. Could the Blue Jays make it seven straight wins and 10 series wins? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The White Sox opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as AJ Pollock led off the game by drilling a solo bomb to the second deck in left
- The Blue Jays tied the game in the bottom half of the inning as Santiago Espinal bashed a solo blast to left-center
- The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the 3nd on a bases loaded walk to Bo Bichette that forced in Matt Chapman
- The Blue Jays added 3 runs in the bottom of the 3rd as Danny Jansen smashed a 3-run blast to left; also scoring Teoscar Hernandez and Chapman
- The White Sox got a pair back in the top of the 4th as Jose Abreu hammered a 2-run bomb to the second deck in left; also scoring Andrew Vaughn
- Michael Kopech pitching line: 3IP 6H 5R (all earned) 4BB 4K 85 pitches (46 for strikes)
- Hyun-Jin Ryu pitching line: 4IP 4H 3R (2 earned) 0BB 4K 58 pitches (38 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 8th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. smashed a 2-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Bichette
My Take:
- Hyun-Jin Ryu battled through 4 innings, giving up 3 runs (2 earned) on 4 hits while walking none and striking out 4. There has to be concern that he couldn't throw more than 58 pitches. Ryu left his last start early due to a sore elbow (the same elbow he had debridement surgery on in September 2016). He's definitely got the red flags for possible TJ surgery, which would end his season and half of next season. Ryu recently came off the IL after missing a couple of weeks with forearm tightness. The Blue Jays need to shut him down and investigate further.
- The bullpen was solid, giving up 4 hits and a walk while striking out 4 over the final 5 innings. They retired the final 7 batters in order.
- Blue Jays catchers continue to rake at the plate. Danny Jansen launched a 3-run blast in the 3rd that proved to be the difference
- It was nice to see Vlad rip one over the wall in CF in the 8th inning. Last year's MVP runner-up has not been himself this season, batting .249 with 9HR and 24 RBI heading into tonight's action. By the same point last year, Vlad had 16 HR and 41 RBI. He does have a sore wrist, which is likely a major factor
- Every Blue Jays starter except Alejandro Kirk reached base at least once. All but Kirk and Bo Bichette had at least one hit
- Up next, the Blue Jays go for their second straight series sweep and 8th straight win overall. Alek Manoah starts against White Sox righty Johnny Cueto
