| Vladimir Guerrero hit a 2-run HR in a 2-1 win over the Giants/ |
After a solid win on the backs of a 5-run 1st inning rally and a team effort from the bullpen on a bullpen day, the Blue Jays were going for their second straight win, 16th series win and 6th season series win of the season. Alejandro Kirk was reinstated from the 10-day IL and Tyler Heineman was optioned back to AAA-ball. Chris Bassitt got the start with Kirk behind the plate. Vladimir Guerrero Jr got the half day off as DH with Brandon Belt at 1B. Santiago Espinal was at 2B. Could the Blue Jays make it two straight wins, 16 series wins and 6 season series wins? Here is tonight's game recap
Game Highlights:
- Giants manager Gabe Kapler and Giants 3B JD Davis were ejected at the end of the top of the 3rd for arguing balls and strikes. Davis was called out on strikes to end the inning
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 6th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr annihilated a 2--run bomb to the second deck in left-center; also sitting Brandon Belt
- Chris Bassitt pitching line: 6IP 3H 0R 3BB 12K 104 pitches (62 for strikes)
- Keaton Winn pitching line: 6IP 3H 2R (both earned) 1BB 3K 67 pitches (46 for strikes)
- The Giants got one back in the top of the 9th as Blake Sabol singled scoring Patrick Bailey
- Jordan Romano pitched the 9th for his 24th save of the season
- Final score: Blue Jays 2 Giants 1
My Take:
- Chris Bassitt fired six shutout innings scattering three hits while walking three and striking out twelve (a career high). He did get himself into some jams, but was able to execute pitches to get out of innings. He should get some consideration to pitch in the all star game
- The bullpen gave up a run on two hits while striking out 2 over the last three innings. Jordan Romano showed a bit of rust having not pitched in a while. The Giants had the tying run at the plate a couple of times in the 9th, but Alejandro Kirk threw out Sabol, who was trying to steal 3rd base and Romano got Brandon Crawford to fly out to center field to end the game. Erik Swanson and Tim Mayza both threw perfect innings in the 7th and 8th respectively l.
- Vlad provided the only offense the Blue Jays needed, and ultimately got, with a mammoth home run in the 6th inning. He is entering the gone run derby this year so hopefully that sparks a huge second half because Vlad is having an off-year, by his standards at least.
- I want to address the two ejections. The Giants manager Gabe Kapler and Giants third baseman JD Davis were both rejected at the end of the top of the 3rd for arguing balls and strikes. Davis and Kapler were upset because Alejandro Kirk dramatically pulled his glove up to bring what should have been a ball into the strike zone. As long as humans are calling balls and strikes, the catchers will be able to frame pitches. Roboumps may eliminate the ability of catchers to frame pitches. I do not believe managers skilful be able to challenge balls and strikes as they are able to do with virtually every other play.
- Up next, the Blue Jays will go for three straight wins and their first of the season against division rivals Boston Red Sox. The Blue jays suffered a 4-game sweep in Boston two months ago with the Red Sox outscoring the Blue Jays 32-19. Jose Berrios starts against Red Sox lefty James Paxton, who no hit the Blue Jays May 18, 2018. You can bet he'll be fired up to pitch in Canada on the Canada day long weekend.
