 |
| Whit Merrifield was 2-4 with 2 RBI and a run scored in a 7-2 win over the Brewers |
After an off-day yesterday, the Blue Jays opened a 3-game set against the Milwaukee Brewers. Blue Jays fans will get to see ex-Blue Jays DH/1B Rowdy Telllez. Yusei Kikuci got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. The rest of the lineup was the same as Sunday's shutout win over Minnesota. Could the Blue Jays increase the win streak to 2 games? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Brewers opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Wilson Contreras whacked a 2-run blast to the opposite-field in right-center; also scoring Owen Miller
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled scoring George Springer
- Two batters later, Matt Chapman singled home Guerrero Jr.
- A batter later, Whit Merrifield doubled scoring Brandon Belt and Chapman
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 2nd as Alejandro Kirk scored on a fielder's choice hit by Bo Bichette
- Two batters later, Belt singled scoring Cavan Biggio
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 3rd as Biggio singled scoring Merrifield
- Adrian Houser pitching line: 4.1IP 11H 7R (6 earned) 3BB 3K 95 pitches (57 for strikes)
- Yusei Kikuchi pitching line: 5IP 3H 2R (both earned) 5BB 4K 98 pitches (55 for strikes)
- Final score: Blue Jays 7 Brewers 2
My Take:
- Yusei Kikuchi battled through 5 innings, giving up a pair of runs on 3 hits while walking 5 and striking out 4. Control is starting to become a concern again. The last three starts, including tonight, he has walked 11 batters. Last season, he struggled with his command and rarely made it through 3 innings. There isn't really a viable starter that's built up to replace Kikuchi in the rotation. Mitch White is still on a rehab assignment and building up his arm. Hyun-Jin Ryu is still recovering from Tommy John surgery, and assuming no setbacks, wouldn't be ready until after the all-star break. Not having his regular catcher behind the plate tonight probably didn't help matters for Kikuchi
- The bullpen was near perfect, allowing one hit and a walk over the final 4 innings. It was nice to see Yimi Garcia nit give up a run. Nate Pearson was excellent, throwing 2 perfect innings and striking out 4.
- Offensively, the Blue Jays jumped all over Adrian Houser, scoring 7 runs on 9 runs and a walk over the first three innings.
- Quirky stat of the day: Every Blue Jays starter either had a hit, drove in a run or scored a run
- Every Blue Jays starter except Bo Bichette had at least one hit
- Every Blue Jays starter except Bichette and Daulton Varsho scored a run
- Every Blue Jays starter except Bichette, Varsho and Alejandro Kirk drove in a run
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 3 games and notch their 11th series win of the season. Alek Manoah starts against Brewers righty Julio Teheran
