| Cavan Biggio drove in a pair and scored the winning run in a 6-5 extra innings win over the A's |
After eking out a win yesterday, the Blue Jays continued the road trip in Oakland as they made their second to lasr vist to Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum as the A's prepare to relocate to Las Vegas after the 2024 season. Jose Berrios got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Kevin Kiermaier was in CFand Daulton Varsho was in LF. Whit Merrifield got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to two games? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring on a double play ball hit by Kevin Kiermaier that scored Alejandro Kirk
- A batter later, George Springer doubled scoring Daulton Varsho
- A batter after that, Cavan Biggio singled home Springer
- Luis Medina pitching line: 4.2IP 3H 3R (all earned) 3K 70 pitches (41 for strikes)
- The A's got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Lawrence Butler hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- The A's got one back in the bottom of the 6th as Ryan Noda drilled a solo bomb to right-center\
- Jose Berrios pitching line: 6IP 4H 2R (both earned) 1BB 7K 84 pitches (57 for strikes)
- The A's tied it up in the bottom of the 7th as Jordan Diaz hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- The Blue Jays retook the lead in the top of the 10th as Santiago Espinal doubled scoring Mason McCoy
- Two batters later, Biggio singled scoring Espinal
- Two batters later, Biggio scored on a ground-rule double hit by Spencer Horwitz
- The A's got a pair back in the bottom half of the inning as Butler whacked a 2-run jack to right-center; also scoring Shea Langeliers
- Final score: Blue Jays 6 A's 5 (10 innings)
My Take:-
- Jose Berrios threw 6 strong innings, allowing a pair of runs on 4 hits while walking 1 and striking out 7. After giving up a single and walking a batter to start the game, Berrios retired 14 straight. He was removed after throwing just 84 pitches as John Schneider has zero trust with his starters
- Predictably, the first reliever gave up the tying run. Today's usage of the bullpen indicated several relievers were unavailable. Jordan Romano gave up a 2-run jack as well to make things a little close for comfort
- Offensively, the Blue Jays had unexpected heroes: Santiago Espinal drove in the go ahead run in the 10th and scored the first insurance run. Cavan Biggio drove in a pair and scored once
- Every Blue Jays starter except Kevin Kiermaier reached base at least once
- The Blue Jays were 6-13 with runners in scoring position
- In terms of the WC race, the Astros beat the Rangers, the Red Sox beat the Rays and the Mariners lost. The Blue Jays are now within a half game of the final WC spot with a 4-game set against the Rangers in a week's time looming large
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to three games and notch their 26th series win and 15th season series win of the season. Chris Bassitt starts against A's lefty Ken Waldichuk
