Sunday, September 18, 2022

Game #147- Baltimore Orioles (76-69) @ Toronto Blue Jays (83-64) - game recap

 

George Springer drove in a run in a 5-4 come-from behind loss to the Orioles

After a second straight 6-3 win over the Orioles highlighted by what manager John Schneider termed a gutsy 6-inning effort by Jose Berrios and a bases clearing double from unlikely hero Raimel Tapia, the Blue Jays were looking for their 6th series sweep of the season and 3rd straight win overall. Alek Manoah got the start. Danny Jansen was his battery mate with Alejandro Kirk nursing a sore hip. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday. George Springer got the half day off with Raimel Tapia in CF. Whit Merrifield was in LF. Could the Blue Jays complete their 6th series sweep, extend the win streak to 3 games and end the home stand on a winning note? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

  • The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 3rd as Bo Bichette singled scoring George Springer 
  • The Orioles tied the game in the top of the 4th as Jorge Mateo doubled scoring Terrin Vavra 
  • The Blue Jays retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Danny Jansen drilled a solo bomb to dead center 
  • Dean Kremer pitching line: 5.2IP 4H 2R (both earned) 5BB 3K 96 pitches (58 for strikes)
  • Alek Manoah pitching line: 6IP 4H 1R (earned) 4BB 5K 98 pitches (63 for strikes)
  • The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 7th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. smacked a solo blast to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen
  • The Orioles got one back in the top of the 8th as Jesus Aguilar lined a solo blast to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen
  • The Orioles took the lead in the top of the 9th as Adley Rutschman singled scoring Kyle Stowers and Ramon Urias 
  • Three batters later, Aguilar singled home Cedric Mullins
  • The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Springer doubled scoring Cavan Biggio 
  • Felix Bautista got the final three outs for his 14th save of the season
  • Final score: Orioles 5 Blue Jays 4

My Take:

  • Alek Manoah battled through 6 innings with Danny Jansen behind the plate. He gave up a run on 4 hits while walking a season-high 4 batters and striking out 5. He had to escape an early jam after walking 2 of the first four batters he faced. Actually, both pitching staffs struggled to get strike calls with home plate umpire Mark Wagned deploying a very tight strike zone. The teams drew a combined 14 walks (each team had 7 walks). Certainly pitching to Danny Jansen for the first time this season and probably not throwing to him much in bullpen sessions was a factor. Regardless, he still had a quality start and was in line to win until the bullpen blew the game
  • The unpredictable Trevor Richards actually had a decent outing, walking a batter, but not giving up any runs. The normally reliable pitchers Adam Cimber and Jordan Romano gave up a combined three runs on 5 hits while walking 2 batters and striking out 1 over the last 2 innings. For Romano, it was his 5th blown save of the season and means he almost certainly won't notch 45 saves to tie Duane Ward's franchise record of 45 saves in a season.
  • The third inning was a good snapshot of the season offensively with Matt Chapman hitting into an inning-ending triple play to limit what could have been a big inning to a single run. Vlad and Danny Jansen also contributed solo shots but it would have been nice if the Blue Jays could have converted a few of those 7 walks they drew.
  • The Blue Jays got a scare when George Springer was hit in the elbow by a pitch. He stayed in the game and is expected to be good to go Tuesday.
  • In terms of the WC race, there were mixed results. The Mariners lost, but the Rays won. The Yankees also won. What this means is the Blue Jays remain in the 1st WC spot, a half game up on the Rays and 2 games up on the Mariners. The Orioles are 4 back of the Mariners for the last WC spot. The Blue Jays are 5.5 games back of the Yankees for the AL East division title
  • Up next, after an off-day tomorrow, the Blue Jays open their second-last road trip of the season with a mini 2-game set against the Phillies. The Blue Jays won 2 of 3 in the season series last season, outscoring the Phillies 15-13. Ross Stripling starts Tuesday against Phillies righty Kyle Gibson.