| Matt Chapman hit a pair of HR and 3 RBI in a 5-3 victory over the Tigers. Yusei Kikuchi also threw 5 strong innings in his first start coming of the injury list |
After dropping the last game of a mini series to the Cardinals, the Blue Jays were looking to bounce back with a win against the Tigers, They won 2 of 3 in Detroit June 10-12 and outscored the Tigers 17-4. Yusei Kikuchi came off the IL to make the start (Danny Jansen was behind the plate). Jeremy Beasley was sent back to AAA-ball. Lourdes was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday. Santiago Espinal was back in the lineup after the day off yesterday. Alejandro Kirk served as DH tonight. Could the Blue Jays start the weekend before the trade deadline with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Tigers opened the scoring in the top of the2nd as Willi Castro whacked an opposite field solo blast to right-center
- The Blue Jays tied the game in the bottom of the 3rd as Alejandro Kirk singled scoring George Springer
- Tyler Alexander pitching line: 4IP 5H 3R (2 earned) 1BB 1K 69 pitches (46 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the 4th as Matt Chapman bashed a 2-run blast to left; also scoring Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
- Yusei Kikuchi pitching line: 5IP 2H 1R (earned) 1BB 5K 67 pitches (46 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 6th as Chapman hammered a solo bomb to left
- The Tigers got one back in the top of the 8th as Jonathan Schoop drilled a solo bomb to the second deck in left
- The Tigers got one back in the top of the 8th on a sac fly by Eric Haase
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom half of the inning on a sac fly by Danny Jansen that scored Gurriel Jr.
- Jordan Romano pitched a perfect 9th for his 22nd save of the season
- Final score: Blue Jays 5 Tigers 3
My Take:
- Yusei Kikuchi had a nice bounce back start in his first game off the injured list. He allowed 1 run on 2 hits while walking 1 and striking out 5 over 5 innings. What a huge difference the change in mechanics made. He was locating the fastball and throwing strikes. The big number for me was the walks. he walked just one batter and his pitch count was decent for 5 innings work too, Let's hope Kikuchi can take this performance into his next start, which is slated to be against a tougher opponent in the Rays, unless the Blue Jays opt to have him start the following day in Minnesota.
- The relievers bent but they didn't break. Tim Mayza allowed a solo shot in the 7th. The Tigers loaded the bases on Yimi Garcia on a double, fielding error and walk. The Tigers managed one run on a sac fly. Jordan Romano was the most efficient, needing just 10 pitches to get the three outs
- Offensively, Matt Chapman provided most of the offence with a pair of HR and 3 RBI.
- Every Blue Jays starter except Santiago Espinal and Teoscar Hernandez had at least one hit
- Up next, the Blue Jays go for 2 straight wins. Alek Manoah starts against Tigers righty Bryan Garcia
