Game #123 - Toronto Blue Jays (67-56) @ Cincinnati Reds (64-59) - game recap

 

Jose Berrios threw 5.2 shutout innings in a 1-0 shutout loss to the Reds

After an off-day yesterday, the Blue Jays hit the road, traveling to Cinnnati to take on the Reds. The Blue Jays won the season series last year, outscoring the Reds 7-5. Kevin Kiermaier (started in CF) and Trevor Richards were reinstated from the IL. Nathan Lukes and Jay Jackson were optioned back to AAA-ball. Jose Berrios got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate Matt Chapman was back in the lineup and at the hot corner after missing a few days after dropping a dumbbell on his finger. George Springer got the complete day off with Cavan Biggio in RF. Daulton Varsho was in LF, Santiago Espinal was at SS and Whit Merrifield got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays start the weekend and road trip with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• Brett Kennedy pitching line: 5IP 3H 0R 1BB 2K 75 pitches (49 for strikes)
• Jose Berrios pitching line: 5.2IP 1H 0R 4BB 8K 100 pitches (61 for strikes)
• The Reds walked it off in the bottom of the 9th as Christian Encarnacion-Strand hammered a solo bomb to the second deck in left
• Final score: Reds 1 Blue Jays 0

My Take:

• Jose Berrios was excellent tonight, taking a no-hitter into the 6th inning (that was broken up by a 1-out single by Matt McLain. He walked 4 batters and struck out 7. At one point he retired 10 in a row. Still nervous of starting him in a wild card game since he is prone to a bad start. 
• The bullpen gave up a run on three hits while walking 1 and striking out 2 over the final 2.2 innings. Jordan Hicks took the loss after the Reds took him deep. Genesis Cabrera was the only Blue Jays reliever to retire every batter faced (Cabrera only faced the one batter)
• Offensively, not much doing on this night. Bo Bichette can't make his return fast enough. Brandon Belt was the only Blue Jays batter to reach base more than once, drawing a walk and getting a hit.
• The Blue Jays were 0-6 with runners in scoring position.
• In terms of the WC race, the Red Sox won and the Mariners were leading in their game. A win by the Mariners would put them just a half game behind the Blue Jays for the final WC spot.
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 2-game skid and 10th series loss and 7th season series loss of the season. Chris Bassitt starts against Reds lefty Brandon Williamson.