| Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a 2-run HR in a 4-2 come-from-behind loss to the Orioles |
After dropping the opener of this series thanks to another clunker of a start from Yusei Kikuchi, the Blue Jays were looking to snap a two game skid overall and a three game skid vs. the Orioles, who are on the verge of overtaking the Blue Jays. Alek Manoah got the start 7H 2R with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Jackie Bradley Jr. got the start in CF as George Springer continues to build up to playing in the field. The lineup was shaken up with Bo Bichette batting 7th, Teo cleanup and Matt Chapman 5th in the order. Could the Blue Jays snap both losing streaks? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. bashed a 2-run blast to left-center and into the Blue Jays bullpen; also scoring George Springer
- The Orioles got one back in the top of the 5th as Cedric Mullins hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- A batter later, Adley Rutschman belted a solo bomb to right-center
- The Orioles took the lead in the top of the 6th as Ramon Urias singled scoring Terrin Vavra
- Two batters later, Ryan McKenna singled home Urias
- Alek Manoah pitching line: 5.2IP 4H 4R (all earned) 4BB 7K 107 pitches (67 for strikes)
- Dean Kremer pitching line: 7IP 7H 2R (both earned) 1BB 6K 98 pitches (65 for strikes)
- Felix Bautista pitched a perfect 9th for his 7th save of the season.
- Final score: Orioles 4 Blue Jays 2
My Take:
- Alek Manoah battled through 5.2 innings, giving up 4 runs on 4 hits while walking 4 and striking out 7. Two of the runs were his fault on balls that left the yard in the 5th to even the score. Jackie Bradley Jr bobbled a ball and Teo made a bad throw that Alejandro Kirk couldn't handle (a laser that bounced right before it got to him). At the same time, he was off with his command and was over 100 pitches when he was pulled from the game. Perhaps this is why the Blue Jays are considering a six-man rotation
- Fundamentals. You have to be good with the basics in baseball and that is something that has been lacking in recent days. Bo Bichette made a couple of errors yesterday that resulted in three unearned runs. Yusei Kikuchi, also yesterday, made a bad pickoff throw. Tonight, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Teo both made unforced errors that allowed runs to score and base runners to advance an extra base.
- The Orioles are definitely not a pretender anymore. They surpassed their win total from last year 9 games ago.
- The bullpen held the Orioles to 3 hits and a walk over the last 3.1 innings.
- Offensively, the Blue Jays started with a Vlad sized bang with the Blue Jays slugger rocketing a 2-run bomb to where the Blue Jays relievers were sitting. Unfortunately, it fizzled after that. They loaded the bases with 1 out in the 3rd only to have Matt Chapman ground into an inning ending double play. After that inning, the Blue Jays had a grand total of 2 base runners, both on Santiago Espinal singles. His first single came with 2 outs in the inning and the next batter was retired. In the 7th, Santiago was caught trying to steal 2nd base.
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to avoid being swept for the 4th time this season and second straight time by the Orioles. Ross Stripling returns from the injured list to make the start. The Orioles will counter with righty Austin Voth
