Saturday, April 13, 2024

Game #15 - Colorado Rockies (4-11) @ Toronto Blue Jays (7-8) - game recap

 

Daulton Varsho hit a grand slam in a 5-3 win over the Rockies

After a disasatrous game yesterday thanks to ugly pitching, the Blue Jays were looking to snap the 2-game skid.. Cuban import Yariel Rodriguez was recalled from AAA-ball and became the first Cuban-born pitcher to start an MLB game (Righty Paolo Espino was optioned to AAA-ball) with Brian Serven behind the plate. Daniel Vogelbach served as DH. Daulton Varsho was in CF and Davis Schneider was in LF. Could the Blue Jays even the series, snap the 2-game skid and set up a rubber match Sunday? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

  • The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st on a bases loaded walk to Davis Schneider that forced in George Springer
  • A batter later, Daulton Varsho hammered a grand slam to right-center and into the Rockies bullpen; also scoring Schneider, Bo Bichette and Daniel Vogelbach
  • The Rockies got one back in the top of the 3rd as Brenton Doyle smashed a solo bomb to the second deck in left
  • Yariel Rodriguez pitching line: 3.2IP 4H 1R (earned) 2BB 6K 68 pitches (44 for strikes)
  • The Rockies got a pair back in the top of the 6th as Brendan Rodgers singled scoring Elias Diaz and Nolan Jones
  • Dakota Hudson pitching line: 6IP 5H 5R (all earned) 3BB 5K 102 pitches (58 for strikes)
  • Yimi Garcia threw a perfect 9th for his 1st save of the season.
  • Final score: Blue Jays 5 Rockies 3
My Take

  • Yariel Rodriguez gave up a run on 4 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6 over 3.2 innings. e was perfect in the 1st inning and got into a bit of a jam in the 2nd inning, which he escaped. Third inning, he was taken deepand walked a batter before escaping the inning. One concern is he has a personality similar to Manoah. He needs to let his play do the talking.
  • The bullpen gave up 2 runs on3 hits while walking 2 and striking out 3 over the last 5.1 innings. It was really encouraging to see Tim Mayza have a clean inning.
  • Offensively, the Blue Jays took advantage of a shaky Dakota Hudson, putting 5 runs on the board in the 1st inning, capped off by a Daulton Varsho grand slam.
  • Every Blue Jays starter but Brian Serven reached base at least once
  • The Blue Jays were 1-7 with runners in scoring position
  • Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the winning streak to 2 games and notch their 2nd series win and first season series win. Ace Jose Berrios starts against Rockies righty Kyle Freeland