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| Jose Berrios threw seven strong innings in a losing effort as the Astros routed the Blue Jays 8-1 |
After a solid win backed by the best start in a Blue Jays uniform by Chris Bassitt, the Blue Jays were looking to make it 2 wins in a row and their 4th series win of the season. Jose Berrios got to start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate.. George Springer got a half day off as DH With Nathan Lukes in RF. Daulton Varsho got the start in LF and Kevin Kiermaier was in CF. Whit Merrifield was at 2B. Could the blue jays make it two wins in a row and third fourth series win of the season? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Astros opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Jake Meyers doubled scoring Jeremy Pena and David Hensley
- Luis Garcia pitching line: 7IP 2H 0R 1BB 9K 92 pitches (65 for strikes)
- Jose Berrios pitching line: 7IP 3H 2R (both earned) 1BB 3K 77 pitches (52 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 8th as Whit Merrifield doubled scoring Santiago Espinal
- The Astros added a pair in the bottom half of the inning as Jose Abreu singled scoring Maurico Dubon and Alex Bregman
- A batter later, Kyle Tucker singled home Yordan Alvarez
- A batter later, Pena drilled a 3-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Abreu and Tucker
- Final score: Astros 8 Blue Jays 1
My Take:
- This game was almost the exact opposite of Monday's 9-2 rout. On Monday, Kevin Gausman was roughed up for 7 runs in the 1st inning. Tonight, Jose Berrios pitched 7 strong innings, giving up a pair of runs on 3 hits while walking 1 and srriking out 3. All of his pitches were working tonight and it was a great sign that he was even able to make the start after he left last game after 5 innings after taking a liner off his knee..
- The bullpen did not have a good night. Zack Pop and Adam Cimber combined to give up 6 runs on 5 hits and a walk - all that coming after Pop retired the first 2 batters of the inning.
- Offensively, the Blue Jays had an opportunity for a big inning in the 8th, loading the bases with none out and a run in. Instead, George Springer lined out, Vlad struck out swinging and Bo Bichette flew out to center - inning over. The Blue Jays went down in order in the 9th.
- I think the Blue Jays are missing the big bats of Teoscar Hernandez and Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
- Up next, after an off-day tomorrow, the Blue Jays open a weekend set in NY against the Yankees, who won the season series in 2022 11-8, outscoring the Blue Jays 83-63. Yusei Kikuchi will start for the Blue Jays. The Yankees have not announced a starter for Friday's game.
