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| Teoscar Hernandez drove in the only Blue Jays run in a 4-1 loss to the Rangers |
After outslugging the Rangers yesterday, the Blue Jays were looking for their 6th series sweep of the year and 4th straight win ahead of a HUGE homestand with 5 in 4 games against the Rays, including a double header Tuesday to make up the postponed series due to the lockout and three next weekend against the Orioles - two teams the Blue Jays are battling for a WC spot. But first, they would no doubt like to wrap up the road trip on a winning note against ex-teammate Marcus Semien. Teoscar Hernandez returned from the paternity list and got the start in LF. Otto Lopez was optioned back to AAA-ball. It was a bullpen day today with Trevor Richards getting the start and Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. George Springer got the half day off as DH with Jackie Bradley Jr. in CF. Whit Merrifield got the start in RF. Could the Blue Jays make it 4 straight wins and 6 series sweeps? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Rangers opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Nathaniel Lowe doubled scoring Corey Seagar
- Trevor Richards pitching line: 0.1IP 3H 1R (earned) 1BB 1K 26 pitches (15 for strikes)
- The Rangers added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 3rd as Adolis Garcia hammered a 2-run bomb to left; also scoring Lowe
- The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 6th as Teoscar Hernandez doubled home Bo Bichette
- Martin Perez pitching line: 6IP 6H 1R (earned) 2BB 7K 97 pitches (59 for strikes)
- The Rangers added a run in the bottom of the 8th as Leody Taveras bashed a solo jack to right
- Jose Leclerc pitched a scoreless 9th for his 4th save of the season
My Take:
- Trevor Richards had a rough outing as an opener. He got through two innings in Pittsburgh as an opener. Today, he managed just one out, giving up a run on 3 hits while walking one and striking out one. He'll almost certainly next pitch Tuesday in the double header
- The rest of the bullpen had mixed results. Yusei Kikucki and Anthony Bass were both taken yard for 3 runs combined. David Phelps and Zack Pop both threw 1.1 innings and struck out a batter each. Julian Merryweather gave up a hit over two innings and struck out a batter. All in all, could have been worse, could have been better
- Teo came off the paternity list and drove in the only Blue Jays run
- Bo Bichette scored that lone run and had a hit in 4AB
- In terms of the WC race, The Orioles and Rays both lost and the Mariners were winning. The Blue Jays are in a good position heading into this week. They are in the 3rd WC spot and now have a solid 5.5 game lead on the Orioles and are 0.5 games back of the Mariners and Rays for the 1st WC spot.
- Up next, the Blue Jays open a HUGE home stand against the Rays, who have won 6 of the 10 meetings in the season series so far and have outscored the Blue Jays 40-35. Jose Berrios starts Monday for the Blue Jays. The Rays have not set their rotation for the serie3s yet.
