| Bo Bichette scored a run and drove in 3 runs in a 4-1 come-from-behind win over the Pirates |
After a shutout win last night on the back of 7.1 stellar innings from Alec Manoah and clutch 2-run hits from Santiago and Bo Bichette, the Blue Jays were going for their 2nd win in a row, 9th season series win snd 20th series win of the season. Today was a bullpen day with Trevor Richards pitching first. Veteran catcher Danny Jansen was behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday. George Springer got the half day off as DH with Raimel Tapia in CF. Could the Blue Jays notch their 2nd win in a row, 20th series win and 9th season series win? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- Trevor Richards pitching line: 2IP 1H 0R 0BB 3K 25 pitches (17 for strikes)
- The Pirates opened the scoring in the bottom of the 3rd as Oneil Cruz tripled home Jason Delay
- The Blue Jays tied the game in the top of the 4th on a ground out by Raimel Tapia that scored Bo Bichette
- Roansy Contreras pitching line: 6IP 4H 1R (earned) 2BB 5K 92 pitches (65 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 7th as Bichette doubled scoring George Springer, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Matt Chapman
- Jordan Romano pitched a perfect 9th for his 29th save of the season
- Final score: Blue Jays 4 Pirates 1
My Take:
- On a bullpen day, Trevor Richards did his job pitching the first two innings and giving up just one hit while walking none and striking out three. Openers can be good or disastrous. Richards was good
- The next man up, Yusei Kikuchi, gave up a run on 4 hits while walking 1 and striking out 5 over 2.1 innings. I actually think Kikuchi is more effective as a reliever. He may get another shot at starting next season, but if I'm Pete Walker and John Schneider, I'm convincing him to remain in the bullpen. The other 5 relievers held the Pirates to just 2 hits over the final 3.2 innings while striking out 4. You can't ask for much more. That was a solid effort. Hopefully they aren't needed much tomorrow, because the Blue Jays have a double header starting in less than 48 hours.
- Offensively, Bo Bichette was the big hero, scoring the opening run and driving the other three with a bases clearing double in the 7th.
- The Blue Jays were 1-11 with runners in scoring position
- Hopefully Santiago Espinal is ok after getting drilled in the hand by a 97MPH fastball. He'll almost certainly be held out of at least tomorrow's game
- In terms of the wild card race, the Rays, Orioles and Mariners all won, while the Twins were routed 13-0
- Up next, the Blue Jays try for their 3rd straight win and their 5th series sweep of the season. Ross Stripling starts against Pirates righty JT Brubaker
