| George Springer hit a grand slam and scored twice in a 10-3 come-from-behind win over the Cardinals |
After an off-day yesterday, the Blue Jays open a 2-game set against the Cardinals, who will be minus Paul Goldschmidt, Austin Romine, and Nolan Arenado due to being unvaccinated against COVID-19. Pitcher Johan Oviedo will also miss the series due to an expired Cuban passport. The Blue Jays and Cardiinals split the two games in St. Louis back on May 23-24. The Blue Jays outscored the Cardinals 11-8. Ace Jose Berrios got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was back in the field after DH'ing Sunday. Santiago Espinal was also back in the field after the complete day off Sunday. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Cavan Biggio at 1B. Could the Blue Jays make it 7 wins in a row? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Cardinals opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Dylan Carlson hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drilled a 2-run bomb to left; also scoring George Springer
- Five batters later, Matt Chapman singled scoring Bo Bichette
- The Cardinals got one back in the top of the 3rd as Carlson singled scoring Lars Nootbaar
- Two batters later, Albert Pujols singled scoring Tommy Edman
- Andrew Pallante pitching line: 4IP 7H 3R (all earned) 0BB 4K 78 pitches (49 for strikes)
- Jose Berrios pitching line: 5.2IP 7H 3R (all earned) 2BB 7K 99 pitches (65 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 6th as Chapman singled scoring Teoscar Hernandez
- Three batters later, Springer hammered a grand slam to dead center; also scoring Chapman, Santiago Espinal and Cavan Biggio
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 7th as Alejandro Kirk smacked an opposite-field solo blast to right
- Five batters later, Espinal singled home Bichette
- Final score: Blue Jays 10 Cardinals 3
My Take:
- Jose Berriosa threw 5.2 innings, giving up 3 runs on 7 hits while walking 2 and striking out 7. He dealt with base runners in virtually every inning, but was able to make enough pitches to escape innings
- The bullpen held the Cardinals to a hit and three walks while striking out 2 over the final 3.1 innings. Tim Mayza was credited with the win, his 5th of the season. Things got a bit dicey in the 9th when Jeremy Beasley worked him self into a bases loaded jam with one out by allowing a hit and walking 2 batters. He came back and struck out Dylan Carson and got Tyler O'Neil to fly out on the 1st pitch.
- Offensively George Springer did most of the damage, hitting a grand slam in the 6th and scoring on Vlad's 2-run shot in the 1st. Tyler Chapman drove in a pair, Santiago Espinal drove in one and Alejandro Kirk went yard for one run.
- Every Blue Jays starter had at least one hit and all but Lourdes Gurriel Jr. scored at least once
- Up next, the Blue Jays try for their 4th series sweep of the season, their 7th season series win and their 8th straight win overall. Kevin Gausman starts against Cardinals righty Adam Wainwright
