| Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a pair of hits and drove in a run in a losing effort as the Rangers came from behind to double up the Blue Jays 4-2 |
After narrowly defeating the Rangers on the back of a 2-run blast from Danny Jansen, the Blue Jays were going for their second straight win and 14th series win of the season. Trevor Richards got the start with Danny Jansen behind the plate. Kevin Kiermaier was in CF and Daulton Varsho was in LF. Whit Merrifield got the start at 2B. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Cavan Biggio at 1B. Could the Blue Jays make it two straight wins and notch their 14th 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 Vladimir Guerrero Jr singled scoring Bo Bichette
- The Rangers took the lead in the bottom of the 2nd as Josh Jung hammered a 2-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Adolis Garcia
- A batter later, Jonah Heim belted a solo jack to right-center
- The blue jays hot one back in the top of the 4th as Daulton Varsho smashed a solo blast to right-center
- Trevor Richards pitching line: 3IP 3H 3R (all earned) 1BB 2K 65 pitches (36 for strikes)
- Dane Dunning pitching line: 6IP 6H 2R (both earned) 1BB 3K 89 pitches (61 for strikes)
- The Rangers added a run in the bottom of the 7th as Corey Seagar drilled a solo bomb to dead center
- Will Smith pitched a scoreless 9th for his 12th save of the season
- Final score: Rangers 4 Blue Jays 2
My Take:
- Trevor Richards was not quite as effective today as his last outing in an opener role. Like a week ago, Richards pitched three innings. Only this time, the Rangers took him deep for three runs in the second inning. Richards threw 65 pitches - about 15 more than last time. The Blue Jays could opt to continue to build Richards up as a traditional starter since Manoah will not be back in the majors for a while and three is no certainty on Ryu and if he can handle being a starting pitcher coming out Tommy John surgery. He started his career as a starting pitcher, but was mostly awful in that role
- The rest of the bullpen had mixed results. Yimi Garcia continues to have a subpar season. The Rangers took him deep in the 7th inning and got three more hits off him. Adam Cimber, in his first appearance coming off the paternity list, was excellent, recording five outs and striking out one. Bowen Francis threw 2.2 scoreless innings, walking three, striking out 2 and also giving up a base hit.
- Offensively, Vlad opened the scoring with an RBI single, but later was gunned down at home to end the inning. Daulton Varsho went yard in the 4th to get the Blue Jays within a run. They tried to rally in the 9th, but Danny Jansen lined out to center and Santiago Espinal struck out swinging to end the game.
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to notch their 14th series win of tee season. Chris Bassitt starts against Rangers righty Jon Gray
