| Yusei Kikuchi threw 6 innings in a 5-0 shutout loss to the White Sox |
After a convincing win over the White Sox thanks to the bat of Danny Jansen, the Blue Jays were looking to make it three straight wins and notch their 5th series win of the season. Daulton Varsho was in CF and Davis Schneider was in LF. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Justin Turner at 1B. IKF got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays make it 3 straight wins and notch their 5th series win? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The White Sox opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Nicky Lopez singled scoring Korey Lee
- The White Sox added a pair of runs in the top of the 5th as Corey Julks singled scoring Andrew Vaughn and Eloy Jimenez
- Yusei Kikuchi pitching line: 6IP 5H 3R (2 earned) 3BB 6K 101 pitches (66 for strikes)
- Garrett Crochet pitching line: 6IP 2H 0R 1BB 4K 85 pitches (55 for strikes)
- The White Sox added a pair of runs in the top of the 8th as Danny Mendick doubled scoring Paul DeJong and Dominic Fletchee
- Final score: White Sox 5 Blue Jays 0
My Take:
- Yusei Kikuchi battled through 6 innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits while walking three and striking out six. His command wasn't as sharp as it has been and he was working his way in and out of jams in 4 of the 6 innings he pitched. Kikuchi is still a strong possibility to rep the Blue Jays in the all-star game
- The bullpen gave up two critical insurance runs that put the game out of reach. Erik Swanson was the only reliever to retire every batter faced.
- A day after scoring 9 runs on 12 hits and 4 walks, the offense managed 2 hits and a walk against a team that has already been shut out 10 times and had shutout the opponent just twice. It was very telling to see Davis Schneider, Vlad and Danny Jansen all strike out looking in the 9th inning. If the pitch is going to be close, you have to foul it off to give yourself another pitch. In fact, 5 of the Bliue Jays last batters struck out. Danny Jansen, who drew a 2-out walk in the 6th inning, was the last Blue Jay to reach base
- Surely this game has to be rock bottom for the Blue Jays offence. Based on that presser over the weekend by GM Ross Atkins, they aren't planning to fire any of the coaches. The Blue Jays aren't bad enough to go on an extended losing streak that would force such a move. Maybe Joey Votto gets a chance to play for his hometown team soon.
- The Blue Jays were 0-3 with runners in scoring position.
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to end the homestand on a winning note and notch their 5th series win. Chtis Bassitt starts against White Sox righty Nick Nastrini
