| Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drove in the Blue Jays only run in a 6-1 loss to the Orioles, who have won every series against the Blue Jays this season and clinched the season series two days ago. |
After a solid win over the Orioles yesterday, the Blue Jays were going for 2 straight wins and a series split, as well as a win to end the home stand. Kevin Gausman got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday (Brandon Belt served as DH today). Could the Blue Jays make it two straight wins, earn the series split and end the home stand with a win? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Orioles opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Austin Hays singled scoring Ryan Mountcastle
- Three batters later, Adley Rutschman singled home Adam Frazier. Hays was thrown out at home on the play
- The Orioles added a run in the top of the 5th on a sac fly by Mountcastle that scored Gunnar Henderson
- Kevin Gausman pitching line: 4.1IP 8H 3R (all earned) 2BB 6K 103 pitches (66 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 6th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr singled scoring Kevin Kiermaier
- Jack Flaherty pitching line: 6IP 4H 1R (earned) 2BB 8K 92 pitches (61 for strikes)
- The Orioles added a run in the top of the 8th on a squeeze play sac bunt by Ryan McKenna that scored Hays
- The Orioles added a run in the top of the 9th on a sac fly by Frazier that scored Colton Cowser
- A batter later, Hays doubled scoring Mountcastle
- Final score: Orioles 6 Blue Jays 1
My Take:
- Kevin Gausman battled through 4,1 innings, giving up 3 runs on 8 his while walking 2 and striking out 6. He retired the first four batters of the game before allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and a walk in the 2nd inning. He also got into a bases loaded jam in the 4th with one out but escaped that inning without allowing a run. Certainly not his best start, but not his worst of the season either.
- The bullpen gave up 3 runs (2 earned) on 5 his while walking 1 and striking out 4. The bulk of the damage was against Thomas Hatch, who was tagged for the three runs and five of the hits and the walk. He could be the next pitcher DFA'd. If he can't be trusted in a low leverage situation, he is useless to the team.
- Offensively, the Blue Jays only run was a 6th inning RBI single off the bat off Vlad. Paul DeJong is still looking for his first hit in a Blue Jays uniform. Whit Merrifield was the only Blue Jays batter to reach base more than once (He had 2 hits)
- The Blue Jays were 1-7 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays head to Fenway Park, where they will be looking for their first win of the season against the Red Sox, who have outscored the Blue Jays 49-29 thus far this season. Alek Manoah starts against Red Sox lefty and Blue Jays killer James Paxton
