Game #70- Toronto Blue Jays (40-30) @ Milwaukee Brewers (40-33) - game recap

Alejandro Kirk was 4-4 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI in a 9-4 victory over the Brewers. Kirk had to leave the game in the 7th with a hand injury after getting whacked in the glove hand by the back swing of ex-teammate Jonathan Davis

After an off day yesterday, the Blue Jays began a stretch of 19 games in 19 days, which will include 5 games over the Canada Day long weekend due to a double header against the Rays to make up one of the postponed games due to the lockout that wiped out the first 2 weeks of games. They open the stretch of games this weekend with a 3 games against the Brewers. It will be old friend time as the Blue Jays face former teammates Jonathan Davis, who was recently recalled by the Brewers, and Rowdy Tellez. Davis was 2-4 in his recent season debut. Tellez is batting .251 with 10HR and 39RBI heading into Wednesday's games over 65 games. The last time these two squads faced each other was 2017 and the Blue Jays and Brewers split the 4 games with the Blue Jays outscoring the Brewers 15-13. Nate Pearson suffered a setback in his rehab from mono. He injured his lat in a recent rehab appearance and will miss an indefinite period of time. Yimi Garcia was placed on the IL with a back strain.  Righty Jeremy Beasley was called up to take his place in the bullpen. Alek Manoah got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Georrge Springer remains out with an injured elbow. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Cavan Biggio at 1B. Raimel Tapia was in CF. Could the Blue Jays make it two wins in a row? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Matt Chapman doubled scoring Teoscar Hernandez, Alejandro Kirk and Raimel Tapia
• A batter later, Lourdes Gurriel  Jr. doubled home Chapman
• Three baters later, Gurriel Jr scored on a double play ball hit by Santiago Espinal
• The Brewers got one back in the bottom of the 5th as Jace Peterson scored on a fielder's choice hit by Christian Yelich
• Adrian Houser pitching line: 6IP 9H 5R (all earned) 1BB 3K 102 pitches (63 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 7th as Cavan Biggio smacked a solo blast to right
• Four batters later, Kirk whacked a 2-run jack to left; also scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• The Brewers got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Tyrone Taylor hammered a solo bomb to left-center
• Two batters later, Kirk left the game in the bottom half of the inning after getting hit on the back swing by Jonathan Davis
• Alek Manoah pitching line: 6.2IP 5H 2R (both earned) 3BB 6K 106 pitches (68 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the toip of the 9th as Guerrero Jr. doubled scoring Biggio
• The Brewers got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Yelich singled scoring Omar Narvaez
• A batter later, Taylor scored on a fielder's choice hit by Willy Adames
• Final score: Blue Jays 9 Brewers 4

My Take:

• Alek Manoah battled through 6.2 innings, giving up a pair of runs on 5 hits while walking 3 and striking out 6. Manoah benefited from a pair of early double plays to escape the first two innings. He dealt with base runners in every inning but the 6th inning. He was able to strike out Davis when his catcher had to leave with an injury midway through the AB. He's got a solid shot at being at this year's all-star game.
• The Blue Jays have to be holding their breath that Alejandro Kirk doesn't miss too much time after he was forced to leave the game after getting whacked in the glove hand by Jonathan Davis. He's been such an important piece offensively and he works well with the Blue Jays pitching staff.
• The pitchers did a fine job against former Blue Jays DH/1st baseman Rowdy Tellez, who had two opportunities to inflict real damage on his former team. Tellez came up with the bases jammed in the 4th inning and with runners on the corners in the 9th inning (both times with 2 outs). Manoah got Tellez to ground out and Adam Cimber got a fly ball out to end the game 
• The offence exploded for 5 runs on 6 hits in the 2nd inning. In fact, the Blue Jays had 6 straight hits to start the inning. They also added three insurance runs in the 7th and one more for good measure in the 9th
• Every Blue Jays starter except Santiage Espinal and Bo Bichette had at least one hit
• Up next, the Blue Jays try for 3 straight wins and their 13th series win of the season. Yusei Kikuchi starts against Brewers righty Corbin Burnes