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| Santiago Espinal drove in the winning run in a 4-3 come-from-behind win over the Mariners to snap a 6-game winless streak at T-Mobile Park |
After a heartbreaking loss due to a bad 7th inning by the bullpen and a 9th inning rally that fell just short, the Blue Jays were looking to snap the 6-game losing streak at T-Mobile Park and 2-game skid overall and avoid being swept for the 5th time and their 4th season series los of the season. Genesis Cabrera was activated and Nate Pearson was optioned to AAA-ball. Alek Manoah got the start with Danny Jansen behind the plate. Whit Merrifield was at 2B. Could the Blue Jays get their first win in Seattle since August 15, 2021, avoid being swept for the 5th time and avoid their 4th season series loss? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Mariners opened the scoring in1 the bottom of the 2nd as Mike Ford hammered a 2- run bomb to right; also scoring Cal Raleigh
- The Blue Jays tied the game in the top of the 4th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. smacked a 2-run blast to the opposite field in right; also scoring George Springer
- The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 6th as Brandon Belt belted a solo jack to right-center
- The Mariners tied the game in the bottom half of the inning as Dylan Moore singled scoring Raleigh
- Alek Manoah pitching line: 5.1IP 3H 3R (all earned) 4BB 6K 91 pitches (48 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays retook the lead in the top of the 7th as Santiago Espinal singled scoring Whit Merrifield
- Bryan Woo pitching line: 6IP 4H 4R (all earned) 1BB 7K 90 pitches (62 for strikes)
- Jordan Romano pitched a scoreless 9th for his 27th save of the season
- Final score: Blue Jays 4 Mariners 3
My Take:
- Alek Manoah had an encouraging start, pitching into the 6th inning, giving up 3 runs on 3 hits while walking 4 and striking out 6.. what I liked most about this outing is Manoah remained calm and was able to pitch out of innings after allowing a base runner. Case in point, Manoah hit a batter with two outs in the 1st inning. He promptly got Teo to fly out to Kevin Kiermaier to end the inning. After giving up a no diet in the 2nd inning, he retired the next two batters to end the inning. Manoah had his slider going and he was using that pitch effectively. Here's hoping this outing leads to more success
- The bullpen was solid tonight giving up two hits, walking a batter and hitting a batter. Jordan Romano got into a jam by walking and hitting the first two hitters in the 9th. He was able to pitch out of it with Teo on deck and waiting to burn his former team for the third straight game
- Offensively, Vlad and Brandon Belt homered for the second straight game and Santiago Espinal hit a clutch RBI single
- Ice bags were needed for George Springer and Danny Jansen, who were both hit by pitches. Jansen had to leave the game when his hand got too sore to continue
- It was great to see the Blue Jays get the monkey off their back and win at T-Mobile Park, which has been a house of horrors in recent years. The last time the Blue Jays won a series in Seattle was August 2-5, when they won 3 of 4. Yours truly was at the opening game of that series.
- Up next, the Blue Jays head south to California, where they will take on the Dodgers starting tomorrow night. The Dodgers swept the season series in 2019, outscoring the Blue Jays 21-6. Jose Berrios starts against Dodgers righty Michael Grove.
