Game #70- Toronto Blue Jays (38-31) @ Baltimore Orioles (43-25) - game recap

 

Danny Jansen hit a pair of solo HR in a losing effort as the Orioles came from behind to defeat the Blue Jays 4-2

After a solid shutout win over the  Orioles, thanks to 7.2 excellent shutout innings from Jose Berrios, the Blue Jays were going for their 2nd straight win and 14th series win of the season. Yusei Kikuchi got the start with Danny Jansen behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday. George Springer got the half day off as DH with Cavan Biggio in RF. The rest of the lineup was the same as yesterday. Could the Blue Jays notch their 14th series win and extend the win streak to 2 games? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Orioles opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Gunnar Henderson singled scoring Anthony Santander
• The Blue Jays tied it up in the top of the 3rd as Danny Jansen hammered a solo bomb to left\
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 5th as Jansen belted a solo blast to left-center 
• The Orioles tied it up in the bottom half of the inning as Adley Rutschmann bashed a solo jack to left
• Yusei Kikuchi pitching line: 4.2IP 6H 2R (both earned) 2BB 7K 94 pitches (62 for strikes)
• The Orioles took the lead in the bottom of the 6th as Santander singled scoring Austin Hays 
• Tyler Wells pitching line: 6.2IP 5H 2R (both earned) 1BB 8K 90 pitches (65 for strikes)
• The Orioles added a run in the bottom of the 8th as Hays belted a solo jack to left-center 
• Felix Bautista got the last 4 outs for his 18th save of the season
• Final score: Orioles 4 Blue Jays 2

My Take:

• Yusei Kikuchi battled through 4.2 innings, giving up a pair runs on 6 hits while walking 2 and striking out 7. He had to deal with base runners in every inning, but was able to escape most of the jams. There's no question Kikuchi is having a better season than 2022, despite some so-so-starts of late 
• The bullpen gave up 2 runs on 5 hits while striking out 3 over the final 3.1 innings. Yimi Garcia continues to have a very rough year. He was responsible for the game winning run and the Orioles also got 4 hits off him.
• Danny Jansen provided the offense with a pair of solo HR. Vlad was the only only Blue Jay with multiple hits (Bo Bichette, Daulton Varsho and Whit Merrifield each had a hit)
• The Blue Jays were 0-6 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays head to Texas ro begin a weekend set against the Rangers. The Blue Jays won the season series last year 4-2, but the Rangers outscored the the Blue Jays 37-36. Kevin Gausman starts against Rangers lefty Martin Perez