Game #67- Minnesota Twins (33-33) @ Toronto Blue Jays (37-30) - game recap

 

Cavan Biggio hit a clutch 3-run HR in a 7-6 come-from behind win over the Twins

After the bullpen imploded yesterday, the Blue Jays were looking to snap the 2-game skid and avoid being swept for the 4th time this season. Thomas Hatch was recalled from AAA-ball  and Bowden Francis was sent back to AAA-ball. Kevin Gausman got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Cavan Biggio at 1B. Nathan Lukes was in LF. Whit Merrifield was at 2B. Could the Blue Jays end the week and homestand on a winning note while avoiding being swept for the 4th time? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Twins opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Alex Kirilloff doubled scoring Edouard Julien
• Two batters later, Trevor Larnach singled scoring Donovan Solano and Kiriloff
• A batter later. Royce Lewis singled home Carlos Correa
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning on a sac fly by Matt Chapman that scored George Springer 
• Home plate umpire Hunter Wndelstedt left the game after taking a foul ball off the forearm on a ball hit by Daulton Varsho
• The Twins added a run in the top of the 5th as Solano hammered a solo bomb to dead center 
• Four batters later, Lewis sing;ed home Correa
• Kevin Gausman pitching line: 4.2IP, 7H 6R (all earned) 4BB 4K 101 pitches (59 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning on a fielder's choice hit by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. that scored Cavan Biggio. Twins SS Correa was charged with a throwing error on the play 
• A batter later, Chapman bashed a 2-run blast to left-center; also scoring Guerrero Jr.
• Louie Varland pitching line: 4.2IP 6H 4R (all earned) 2BB 6K 89 pitches (61 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the 8th as Cavan Biggio drilled a 3-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Alejandro Kirk and Kevin Kiermaier 
• Jordan Romano pitched a scoreless 9th for his 18th save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 7 Twins 6

My Take:

• Kevin Gauman had a rough start to the game and was down four runs before he could record an out. It looked like he was going to suffer te same fate as Alek Manoah four days ago and not escape the 1st inning. Luckily Gausman was able to escape the jam with a strikeout and timely double play. Alas, it was one of those days every pitcher faces, where Gausman did not have his best stuff and was knocked around by the opposition
• At least the bullpen had a better day than yesterday's meltdown. Alas, Thomas Hatch suffered a similar fate that Mitch White did - immediately giving up a run in his season debut. Hatch gave up an RBI single to the first batter he faced for the sixth and final run the Twins would score on the day. Nate Pearson, who is finally showing the Blue Jays the kind of pitcher he can be after several frustrating seasons with injuries, was credited with the win and pitched two stellar innings, giving up one hit and striking out 3. Jordan Romano pitched a scoreless 9th, walking a batter and striking out one for his 18th save of the season
• Offensively, the Blue Jays had immediate responses every inning the Twins scored. They got one back in the 1st inning off a Matt Chapman sac fly and three in the 5th, starting by the day's big hero Cavan Biggio, who scampered home on the fielder's choice/throwing error on a grounder hit by Vlad (Biggio gave the Blue Jays the lead with a HUGE 3-run shot to dead center in the 8th). Chapman was next man up and went yard for two more runs
• Up next, after an off-day tomorrow, the Blue Jays begin a 9-game road trip that starts in Baltimore Tuesday. The Orioles swept the Blue Jays in Toronto three weeks ago, outscoring the Blue Jays 20-10. Chris Bassitt start for the Blue Jays and the Orioles have not set their rotation for the series.