Game #14 - Colorado Rockies (4-10) @ Toronto Blue Jays (6-8) - game recap

 

Daulton Varsho hit a solo HR in a losing effort as the Rockies came from behind to rout the Blue Jays 12-4

After an off day yesterday, the Blue Jays continued the home stand with a weekend set against the Rockies, their first National League opponent of the season. The Blue Jays won the season series against the Rockies 2-1, outscoring the Rockies 27-22. Kevin Gausman got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plste. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing Wednesday (Justin Turner served as DH tonight). Isiah Kiner-Falefa was at the hot corner and Cavan Biggio got the start at 2B. Could the Blsue Jays start the weekend with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Cavan Biggio singled scoring Bo Bichette
• The Rockies tied it up in the top of the 2nd as Brendan Rodgers doubled scoring Elias Diaz
• The Blue jays retook the lead in it the bottom half of the inning as Daulton Varsho whacked a solo blast to right
• The Rockies tied it up in the top of the 3rd as Ryan McMahon doubled scoring Ezequiel Tovar
• Two batters later Diaz singled home McMahon
• A batter later Nolan Jones doubled scoring Diaz
• The Rockies added a pair of runs in the top of the 4th as Kris Bryant doubled scoring Brenton Doyle and McMahon
• Kevin Gausman pitching line: 3.2IP 10H 6R (all earned) 0BB 4K 78 pitches (54 for strikes)
• The Rockies added a run in the top of the 5th as Jones hammered a solo bomb to right
• Ryan Feltner pitching line: 5IP 8H 2R (both earned) 2BB 4K 94 pitches (60 for strikes
• The Rockies added a run in the top of the 6th a Torvar drilled a solo jack to left
• The Rockies added a run in the top of the 7th as Doyle doubled scoring Rodgers
• A batter later, Michael Toglia scored on a sac fly by Tovar
• The Rockies added a run in the top of the 9th on a sac fly by Jake cave that scored Rodgers
• Three batters later, McMahon doubled home Doyle
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Isiah Kiner-Falefa went yard to left-center
• Final score: Rockies 12 Blue Jays 4

My Take:

• For the third straight game,  embattled Blue Jays ace Kevin Gausman was roughed up as he continues to try and find for his form after an abbreviated spring training due to a shoulder injury. Tonight, Gausman was lit up for 6 runs on 10 hits while walking none and striking out 4 over 3.2 innings.  It speaks volumes about the Blue Jays lack of depth for starting pitching. At this point, they can trust Jose beeps Berrios, who has been the Blue Jays best and most consistent pitcher and lefty Yusei Kikuchi, woo has also been solid and added a changeup to his bevy of pitches. Chris Bassitt has been average so far and bowden Francis, who was stretched out to be a starter this season after being a reliever his whole career. Alek Manoah is on a rehab assignment, but has been a disaster in every appearance this season. Manoah needs to earn his way back to the majors and shouldn't just be handed the job based on past performance in 2021 and 2022. Rickey Tiederman could be an option sooner than later.  Don't be surprised if Gausman heads back to the IL when Danny Jansen, Erik Swanson and Jordan Romano return from their IL stunts because something is clearly off with him and very likely physically. 
• The bullpen didn't fare much better today, giving up a further 6 runs on 10 hits while walking 2 and striking out 5 over the last 5.1 innings. Genesis Cabrera was the only pitcher to retire every batter he faced. 
• Offensively, believe it or not, three Blue Jays managed to take the lead twice.  Unlikely sources provided the offense today. Cavan Biggio got a base hit to drive in Bo Bichette.  Daulton Varsho and Isiah Kiner-Falefa each went deep for a run each. For Kiner-Falefa, it was his first HR in a Blue Jays uniform
• Every Blue Jays starter except Alejandro Kirk reached at least once and all but Kirk and Vladimir Guerrero Jr had a hit
• You know things are going bad when Kevin Kiermaier misses a catch that goes for a triple
• The Blue jays were 1-6 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 2- game skid and avoid their 3rd series loss and 1st season series loss. Yariel Rodriguez makes his big league debut against Rockies righty Dakota Hudson