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| Whit Merrifield scored a pair and drove in a pair in a 5-2 victory over the Diamondbacks |
After a solid win off a 5-run 7th inning rally, the Blue Jays were going for their 3rd straight win, 19th series win and 10th season series win of the season. Chris Bassitt got the start with Alejanndro Kirk behind the plate.Vlad got the half day off as DH with Brandon Belt at 1B. Daulton Varsho was in CF and Whit Merrifielld was in LF. Cavan Biggio got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to three games and notch their 19th series win of the season and their 10th season series win? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as George Springer singled scoring Whit Merrifield and Alejandro Kirk
- The Diamondbacks tied the game in the top of the 4th as Jake McCarthy singled scoring Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Emmanuel Rivera
- The Blue Jays retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Merrifield smacked a solo blast to left-center
- Zac Gallen pitching line: 5IP 6H 3R (all earned) 3BB 5K 94 pitches (59 for strikes)
- Chris Bassitt pitching line: 7H 2R (both earned) 0BB 5K 96 pitches (63 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added a ru in the bottom of the 8th as Bo Bichette whacked a solo blast to left-center and into the Blue Jays bullpen
- Four batters later, Brandon Belt scored on a sac fly by Merrifield
- Yimi Garcia pitched a scoreless 9th for his 2nd save of the season
- Final score: Blue Jays 5 Diamondbacks 2
My Take:
- Chris Bassitt threw 6 solid innings, giving up a pair of runs on 7 hits while walking none and striking out 5 over 6 innings. The furst start after the all-star break can be challenging for a starting pitcher used to the routine of starting every 4th, usually 5th day. Bassitt retired the first ten batters he faced before running into trouble in the form of 2 singles and a wild pitch. He retired the last 4 batters he faced.
- The bullpen gave up three hits, one walk while striking out 3 over the last 3 innings. With Jordan Romano still dealing with a sore back, Yimi Garcia pitched the 9th. The Diamondbacks got runners on 1st and 2nd with one out before Garcia got Evan Longoria to ground out and Alek Thomas to pop out to end the game. Hopefully Romano is back to health soon.
- Offensively, Whit Merrifield did most of the damage, scoring twice and driving in a pair. George Springer also drove a a pair of runs in and Bo Bichette added a solo blast.
- The Blue Jays were 1-7 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays go for their 4th straight win, 5th sweep, and 4th season series sweep of the season. Yusei Kikuchi starts against Diamondbacks lefty Tommy Henry.
