| Teoscar Hernandez drove in the winning run as the Blue Jays edged the Pirates 4-3 for their 3rd straight win and 5th series sweep of the season |
After a huge win on a clutch 3-run double by Bo Bichette and a solid effort from the bullpen, the Blue Jays were looking for their 3rd straight win and 5th series sweep of the season. Ross Stripling got the start with Danny Jansen behind the plate. George Springer got the complete day off with Whit Merrifield in CF. Cavan Biggio was at 2B. Alejandro served as DH for today's game. Could the Blue Jays sweep the Pirates and win their third straight game? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Whit Merrifield singled scoring Bo Bichette
- The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 3rd as Alejandro Kirk singled home Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 4th as Cavan Biggio hammered a solo bomb to right
- The Pirates got a pair back in the bottom half of the inning as Josh VanMeter doubled scoring Ben Gamel and Cal Mitchell
- The Pirates tied the game in the bottom of the 5th as Oneil Cruz drilled a solo bomb to dead center
- JT Brubaker pitching line: 5.1IP 5H 3R (2 earned) 2BB 5K 91 pitches (57 for strikes)
- Ross Stripling pitching line: 6IP 2H 3R (all earned) 3BB 8K 95 pitches (61 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 7th as Teoscar Hernandez singled scoring Cavan Biggio
- Jordan Romano got the final 3 outs for his 30th save of the season.
- Final score: Blue Jays 4 Pirates 3
My Take:
- Ross Stripling battled through 6 innings, giving up 3 runs on 2 hits while walking 3 and striking out 8. With a double header looming tomorrow, the Blue Jays would have liked Stripling to go another inning to REALLY save the bullpen. Stripling more or less cruised through the first 3 innings, allowing just a walk and a hit batter in the 1st and 3rd innings respectively. In the 4th inning, the Pirates got a couple of runners on via a pair of walks and then Stripling gave up a 2-run double to cut the lead to one. Oneil Cruz took Stripling yard in the 5th inning and just like that the game was tied. Stripling retired the final 5 batters he faced
- Once again it became a battle of the bullpens after the 6th inning. The Blue Jays 'pen held the Pirates at bay, although things got dicey in the bottom of the 9th when the normally lights out Jordan Romano was faced with runners on the corners with no one out, and a pitch later runners on 2nd and 3rd. It looked for sure like Romano was going to blow the save in this one. However, Romano went into beast mode and struck out the next three Pirates to end the game. Had it been a more formidable opponent, such as the Rays or Orioles, Romano may not have been as fortunate.
- Expect the Blue Jays to recall a reliever as the 27th man for tomorrow's double header
- The offence was more effective than it's been in a while, tacking on runs in three straight innings, as well as a clutch late run to clinch the sweep.
- Every Blue Jays starter reached base at least once and all but Vlad and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had at least once hit.
- This win is HUGE. Especially since Baltimore lost today, meaning the Blue Jays go into tomorrow's double header up 2.5 games on the Orioles. The Rays also lost, meaning the Blue Jays move to within a game of the Rays for the 2nd WC spot and home field advantage in a potential WC2 vs. WC3 matchup. The Mariners, who hold the 1st WC spot and would face the reeling Indians if the playoffs started tomorrow, were leading in the top of the 4th against the Indians, but in a rain delay.
- Up next, the Blue Jays begin a crucial 4-game-in-3-nights series against the Orioles, starting with a labor day double header tomorrow. The Orioles have won 6 of the 9 meetings in the season series thus far, outscoring the Blue Jays 48-45.. The pitching matchup in the first game will be Kevin Gausman up against Orioles righty Jordan Lyles. Jose Berrios will start the 2nd game for the Blue Jays. The Orioles have not announced a starter for the 2nd game yet.
