| Bo Bichette drove in both Blue Jays runs in a losing effort as the Orioles came from behind to edge the Blue Jays 3-2 |
After a rain out yesterday, the Blue Jays were going for two straight wins, their 6th series win and 1st series sweep of the season. Yusei Kikuchi got the start with Danny Jansen behind the plate. George Springer was back in the lineup and in RF after missing a couple of days with the illness that's been going through the Blue Jays team lately. Kevin Kiermaier was in CF and Daulton Varsho was in LF. Davis Schneider got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays make it two straight wins, 6 series wins and a series sweep? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Orioles opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Jacob Westburg whacked a solo blast to the opposite field in right-center
- The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 3rd as Bo Bichette doubled scoring George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- Kyle Bradish pitching line: 4IP 4H 2R (both earned) 2BB 3K 85 pitches (56 for strikes)
- Yusei Kikuchi pitching line: 4.1IP 6H 1R (earned) 1BB 9K 88 pitches (55 for strikes)
- The Orioles walked it off in the bottom of the 9th as Adley Rutschmann drilled a 2-run jack to right; also scoring Westburg
- Final score: Orioles 3 Blue Jays 2
My Take:
- Yusei Kikuchi battled through 4.1 innings, giving up a run on 6 hits while walking 1 and striking out 9. The pitch count was most likely elevated due to the high number of strikeouts. He gave up a leadoff HR and had one perfect inning, the 3rd. Had a few stressful innings.
- The bullpen gave up 2 runs on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 3 over the last 3.1 innings. Jordan Romano was charged with his first blown save of the season. Zack Pop and Tim Mayza retired every batter they faced
- Aside from an offensive outburst that saw a pair of runs scored on 3 hits, the Blue Jays managed a grand total of six base runners the remainder of the game and did nothing with a bases loaded opportunity in the 5th inning
- Bo Bichette and Vlad extended their hit streaks to 6 games and Vlad now has hits in 13 of his last 14 games.
- The Blue Jays were 2-13 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, after an off-day tomorrow, the Blue Jays begin a stretch of 13 games in as many days. They start that stretch with a weekend set, beginning Friday. at home against the Rays. The two squads split the season opening 4-game series in TB with the Blue Jays outscoring the Rays 20-17. Chris Bassitt starts Friday. The Rays have not set their rotation for the series yet.
