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| Jose Berrios threw 7.2 shutout innings in a 3-0 shutout win over the Orioles |
After a blowout loss yesterday, the Blue Jays were looking to even the series and earn their first win of the season against the suddenly relevant Orioles (hard to believe that less than 2 years ago, the Blue Jays won 14 of 19 against the Orioles and outscored the Orioles 153-84). Jose Berrios got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Cavan Biggio at 1B. The rest of the lineup was the same as last night Could the Blue Jays even the series and get their 1st win of the season against the Orioles. Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 5th as George Springer drilled a solo blast to left-center
- Kyle Bradish pitching line: 7IP 4H 1R (earned) 0BB 1K 98 pitches (59 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 8th on a ground-rule double by Whit Merrifield that scored Kevin Kiermaier
- Three batters later, Bo Bichette singled scoring Springer
- Jose Berrios pitching line: 7.2IP 3H 0R 1BB 5K 90 pitches (62 for strikes)
- Jordan Romano pitched a scoreless 9th for his 19th save of the season
- Final score: Blue Jays 3 Orioles 0
My Take:
- Jose Berrios fired 7.2 shutout innings, scattering 3 hits, walking 1 and striking out 5. Berrios was perfect until he walked the second batter of the 5th inning. The Blue Jays needed a deep start with a bullpen day coming up Friday and a couple of short outings by Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt the past 2 starts
- The bullpen gave up a pair of hits over the last 1.1 innings.
- Offensively, the Blue Jays got a home run off the bat of George Springer and 2 clutch hits in the 8th inning to give Romano three-run cushion to work with
- For the first time in four years, the Blue Jays had to pinch hit for the pitcher. Cavan Biggio, who was playing 1st base tonight was pulled for a pinch hitter in the 8th inning. Because Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Dh'ing tonight) was the only healthy 1st baseman, with Brandon Belt on the IL with a hamstring injury, Vlad had to play 1B for the rest of the game. When a DH subs defensively, the pitcher becomes a DH. The pitcher's spot came up in the 9th inning, so Danny Jansen had to pinch hit for Tim Mayza. It'll be a pretty rare occurence where you will see this situation with both leagues using the universal DH, which became permanent for the 2022 season after being a temporary measure for the 2020 and 2021 COVID-affected seasons
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to majke it two straight wins and their 14th series win of the season. Yusei Kikuchi starts against Orioles righty Tyler Wells
