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| Danny Jansen drove in a run in a losing effort as the Orioles came from behind to defeat the Blue Jays 6-2 |
After dropping three of the four games against the Yankees, the Blue Jays were looking to get back on track against another AL East rival, the Baltimor Orioles. A sweep would put the Blue Jays a half game back of Baltimore and second place in the AL East standings. Last season, the Blue Jays edged the Orioles 10-9 in the season series, outscoring the Orioles 100-83. Yusei Kikuchi got the start with Danny Jansen behind the plate. Vlad was back in the lineup as DH after missing a couple of days nursing a sore wrist. Kevin Kiermaier was in CF and Daulton Varsho was in LF. Whit Merrifield was at 2B. Could the Blue Jays start the May long weekend with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the 2nd as Danny Jansen singled scoring Brandon Belt
- The Orioles took the lead in the top of the 3rd as Ryan Mountcastle hammered a 3-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Joey Ortiz and Adley Rutschmann
- Yusei Kikuchi pitching line: 6.2IP 3H 3R (all earned) 4BB 3K 81 pitches (48 for strikes)
- The Orioles added a run in the top of the 6th as Anthony Santander belted a solo jack to right
- Kyle Gibson pitching line: 7IP 5H 1R (earned) 2BB 5K 95 pitches (59 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 8th on a ground out by Bichette that scored Kevin Kiermaier
- The Orioles added a pair of runs in the top of the 9th as Adam Frazier smacked a 2-run blast to right; also scoring Jorge Mateo
- Final score: Orioles 6 Blue Jays 2
My Take:
- Yusei Kikuchi battled through 4.2 innings, giving up 3 runs on 3 hits while walking 4 and striking out 3. Command was an issue for Kikuch tonight. He walked 4 batters, the most he's walked in a game all season. Hopefully the command issue is a one-off that can be sorted out in side sessions this week
- The Orioles tacked on three insurance runs on 2 HR off the bullpen. Tom Hatch saw his first action of the season, giving up a double before getting the final out of the 9th. Tim Mayza was the only pitcher to retire every batter he faced
- Offensively, the Blue Jays took an early lead off a Danny Jansen RBI single and score a run on a Bo Bichette ground out late. The Blue Jays were 1-7 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 2-game skid.Ace Alek Manoah starts against Orioles righty Grayson Rodriguez
