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| Danny Jansen scored three times and drove in five runs in a 9-3 rout over the White Sox |
After a statement win yesterday a day after GM Ross Atkins had a rare press availability, the Blue Jays were looking to make it two straight wins as they began a 3-game series against the White Sox. The Blue Jays swept the season series again the White Sox last year, outscoring the White Sox 35-11. Ace Jose Berrios got the start with Danny Jansen behind the plate. Justin Turner served as DH. The rest of the lineup was the same as yesterday's win. Could the Blue Jays make it two straight wins? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The White Sox opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Korey Lee singled scoring Paul DeJong
- The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Daulton Varsho whacked a 2-run blast to right-center; also scoring Bo Bichette
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 3rd as Danny Jansen doubled scoring Kevin Kiermaier
- A batter later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled home Jansen
- The White Sox got one back in the top of the 4th as DeJong singled scoring Gavin Sheets
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 6th as Bichette doubled scoring Guerrero Jr.
- The White Sox got one back in the top of the 7th as DeJong smacked a solo blast to the opposite field in right-center
- Jose Berrios pitching line: 6IP 8H 3R (all earned) 2BB 6K 100 pitches (68 for strikes)
- Erick Fedde pitching line: 6IP 7H 5R (all earned) 1BB 2K 84 pitches (57 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 7th as Jansen drilled a 2-run jack to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen; also scoring Davis Schneider
- The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 8th as Jansen singled scoring George Springer and Varsho
- Final score: Blue Jays 9 White Sox 3
My Take:
- Jose Berrios battled through 6 innings, giving up 3 runs on 8 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6. It was a curious decision to let Berrios face Paul DeJong at the start of the 7th when he hadn't been able to get him out all day. John Schneider and co. rightfully got a lot of criticism for pulling Berrios in the 4th inning of the 2nd wild card game, which predictably led to runs that turned out to be the difference in that game. Lately, Schneider has been leaving pitchers in too long. Berrios got a bit fortunate in the 2nd inning when the White Sox literally ran into a double play on a failed double steal. He was able to limit the damage and came away with a quality start, helping yours truly's fantasy team
- The bullpen allowed a hit and two walks whit striking out 3 over the last three innings. Yimi Garcia retired every batter he faced. Erik Swanson was handed the perfect scenario to build his confidence with a six-run cushion and a clean inning. He allowed a one-out single, but got the next two batters to line out.
- Danny Jansen (3-5, 2 runs scored, 5RBI), Daulton Varsho (2-run HR, 2 runs scored), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1 run scored, 1 RBI) and Bo Bichette (1 run scored, 1 RBI) did the damage offensively. John Schneider needs to run with this lineup for a stretch and let the players get in a groove offensively. A big factor in the struggles has been the constant shuffling of players in and out of the lineup and not switching up the batting order. The bats have gotten hot since Davis Schneider was given the leadoff spot and Bo Bichette was moved to the middle of the order. And for goodness sake, keep Danny Jansen's bat in the lineup even when he's not behind the plate. Let him DH for a game.
- The Blue Jays are in a soft part of their schedule. They need to take advantage.
- The Blue Jays were 5-16 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to make it three straight wins and notch their 5th series win of the season. Yusei Kikuchi starts against White Sox lefty Garrett Crochet
