| Bo Bichette was a double short of the cycle, driving in 4 runs and scoring once in a losing effort as the Twins came from behind to defeat the Blue Jays 9-7 |
After a much-needed win yesterday, the Blue Jays were going for their 10th series win. Chris Bassitt got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday (Brandon Belt DH'd today). Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to two games and notch their 10th series win of the season? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Bo Bichette smashed a solo jack to left-center
- The Twins tied it up in the bottom half of the inning as Joey Gallo scored on a ground out hit by Alex Krilloff
- Two batters later, Matt Wallner singled scoring Edouard Julien and Willi Castro
- The Twins added a run in the bottom of the 2nd as Julien doubled home Kyle Farmer
- The Blue Jays got a pair back in the top of the 3rd as Bichette tripled scoring Tyler Heineman and George Springer
- The Blue Jays tied it up in the top of the 4th as Cavan Biggio hammered a solo bomb to right-center
- The Twins retook the lead in the bottom of the 5th as Castro hammered a 2-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Krilloff
- A batter later, Wallner smashed a solo jack to straightaway center and into the Blue Jays bullpen
- Chris Bassitt pitching line: 4IP 9H 7R (all earned) 2BB 5K 93 pitches (58 for strikes)
- Pablo Lopez pitching line: 5.2IP 5H 4R (all earned) 3BB 6K 88 pitches (54 for strikes)
- The Twins added a run in the bottom of the 7th as Castro hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- The Twins added a run in the bottom of the 8th as Julien bashed solo blast to the opposite-field in left
- The Blue Jays got a pair back in the top of the 9th as Daulton Varsho drilled a 2-run bomb to right; also scoring Whit Merrifield
- Four batters later, Bichette singled home Biggio
- Brock Stewart got the last three outs for his 1st save of the season
- Final score: Twins 9 Blue Jays 7
My Take:
- Chris Bassitt was lit up for seven runs on nine hits while walking two and striking out five over four innings. The Twins got to Bassit right away, putting up three runs in the 1st inning on 2 hits, a hit batter and a walk. Heineman had difficulty getting strikes calls for Bassitt and was eventually replaced midgame by Alejandro Kirk. The Blue Jays better hope Danny Jansen is able to recover quickly from his groin strain because Kirk can't play every game. Catcher is the most physically demanding position in baseball. Bassitt's day ended with a bang in the form of back to back bombs to center for three more runs.
- The bullpen gave up two more solo jacks that ended up being the difference in the game. One of them was given up by Yimi Garcia, who has been a disaster this season and may be DFA'd soon. Adam Cimber, who recentky came off the IL, was also taken yard
- It was the Bo Bichette show today. The Blue Jays shortstop was a double short of the cycle. Unlikely heroes Cavan Biggio and Daulton Varsho both went yard.
- This trend of getting behind by a lot of runs then putting together a late rally is not proving to be successful. Today, the Blue Jays scored three in the 9th but still were two runs short of tying the game
- The Blue Jays lost Kevin Kiermaier after 2 innings as he left the game with lower back tightness. Look for Varsho and perhaps Springer to play CF in his absence
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to end the road trip and week on a winning note. Jose Berrios starts against Twins righty Bailey Ober
