Game #57 - Pittsburgh Pirates (27-31) @ Toronto Blue Jays (27-30) - game recap

 

Daniel Vogelbach drove in the only run for the Blue Jays in an 8-1 loss to the Pirates

After a huge walk-off HR to end the longest extra inning game for the Blue Jays since the addition of the ghost runner for extra inning games, the Blue Jays were trying to extend the win streak to 5 games, notch their 7th series win and 3rd season series win.. A day after losing Alek Manoah to an elbow injury, closer Jordan Romano was placed on the 15-day IL with right elbow inflammation. Lefty Brendon Little was recalled from AAA-ball. Yusei Kikuchi got the start with Alehandro Kirk behind the plate, Daulton Varsho was in CF and Daniel Vogelbach served as DH. IKF was at the hot corner and Cavan Biggio got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 5 games, notch their 7th series win and 3rd season series win? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Pirates opened the scoring in the top of the 1st on a ssac fly by Eric Olivares that scored Andrew McCutchen
• A batter later, Ke'Bryan Hayes whacked a 2-run blast to left0-center; also scoring Connor Joe
• The Pirates added a run in the top of the 5th as McCutchen singled scoring Jared Triolo
• Two batters later, Joe singled home McCutchen
• The Pirates added a run in the top of the 6th  on a fielder's choice hit by Triolo that scored Hayes. Bo Bichetter was charged with a throwing error on the play
• Yusei Kikuchi pitching line: 5.1IP 9H 6R (5 earned) 1BB 4K 89  pitches (61 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Daniel Vogelbach singled scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• Mitch Keller pitching line: 6IP 5H 1R (earned) 1BB 8K 106 pitches (72 for strikes)
• The Pirates added a pair of runs in the top of the 9th as Bryan Reynolds annihilated a 2-run bomb to dead center; also scoring McCutchen
• Final score: Pirates 8 Blue Jays 1

My Take:

• Yusei Kikuchi was lit up for 6 runs (5 earned) on 9 hits while walking 1 and striking out 4 over 5.1 innings. Right off the bat, Kikuchi walked the first batter of the game on 4 balls and gave up 3 runs in the inning, capped off by a 2-run HR to left-center. He did settle down a bit after the 1st inning, retiring 8 in a row before giving up a leadoff double. He should have had 5 runs charged against him, but Bo Bichette bounced a ball home that would have nailed Ke'Bryan Hayes if it had been on target. Here's hoping he figures it out before his next start 
• The bullpen gave up a pair of runs on 2 hits while walking 1 and striking out 1 over the last 3.2 innings. Ryan Burr, acquired yesterday after news that Alek Manoah and Jordan Romano may be out for a while, made his Blue Jays debut and allowed an inherited runner to score and gave up a walk over 1.2 innings. Brendon Little may not get many more chances to pitch. He's been roughed up pretty much every time he is used
• The offense was unable to muster a comeback today. Vlad (2 hits, scored only run) and Daniel Vogelbach (2 hits, drove in only run) were about the only ones to do anything offensively. Last night's hero, Davis Schneider was 0-4 and took a bad cut at a pitch. The schedule is about to get tougher with the Orioles in town for 4 games starting Monday
• The Blue Jays were 1-3 with runners in scoring position.
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to notch their 7th series win and 3rd season series win. Chris Bassitt starts for the Blue Jays. The Pirates have not named a starter yet.