Jose Berrios threw 6 solid innings in a losing effort as the Blue Jays fell to the Angels 3-2 in extra innings |
After a solid win over the Angls thanks to the offensive poweress of catcher Alejandro Kirk, the Blue Jays were looking for their 4th straight win and to complete their 7th sweep of the season. Jose Berrios got the start with Danny Jansen behind the plate. Daulton Varsho was in CF and Alejandro Kirk served as DH. Could the Blue Jays make it four straight wins and 7 series sweeps? Here is today's game recap
Game Highlights:
- The Angels opened the scoring in the top of the 3rd on a sac fly by Hunter Renfroe that scored Shohei Ohtani
- The Blue Jays tied the gamein the bottom of the 5th as Whit Merrifield singled scoring Daulton Varsho
- Jose Berrios pitching line: 6IP 1R (earned) 2BB 6K 98 pitches (65 for strikes)
- Tyler Anderson pitching line. 6.1IP 7H 1R (earned) 1BB 2K 101 pitches (62 for strikes)
- The Angels took the lead in the bottom of the 10th as Renfroe hammered a 2- run bomb to left; also scoring Mike Moustakas
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Vladimir Guerrero Jr singled home Bo Bichette
- Final Score Angels 3 Blue Jays 2 (10 innings)
My Take:
- Jose Berrios was solid today, pitching 6 innings, allowing a run on 6 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6. Berrios got into some jams the first four innings, but was able to escape them other than the sac fly run he gave up in the 3rd inning. He retired the final 7 batters he faced. I'm not sure if I would trust him pitching a playoff game as he can be inconsistent start to start.
- The bullpen gave up a pair of runs on 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out 2 over the last 4 innings. Genesis Cabrera continues to impress. He pitched another 1.1 perfect innings. Meanwhile, Yimi Garcia may find himself off the team soon. He gave up a 2-run home run in the 10th inning and took the loss. With Hyun Jin Ryu and Chad Green both expected back soon (Ryu is starting Tuesday). Perhaps the Blue Jays find a trading partner that will take a chance on Garcia.
- Offensively, the Blue Jays had their chances, but as has Ben the case for much of the season, the Blue Jays were unable to drive in base runners in scoring position. They were 2-16 with runners in scoring position and a combined 3-28 for the series. Output like that will not get them far in the playoffs
- Also, they need to get the bat of George Springer going. The struggling slugger was 0-5 and struck out in the 10th with the chance to at least tie the game.
- The trade deadline is in 2 days. At this point, the greatest need is another bullpen arm or two and another bat.
- Up next, the Blue Jays begin a 4-game set against the Orioles who have won 5 of the 6 meetings in the season series this far, outscoring the Blue Jays 36-21. Chris Bassitt starts against Orioles righty Kyle Gibson