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| Spencer Horwitz hit a pair of solo home runs and scored three times in a losing effort as the Guardians came from behind to edge the Blue Jays 6-5 |
After another troubling loss thanks to ace Jose Berrios' inability to keep the ball in the ballpark, the Blue Jays were looking to snap the 5-game skid and avoid being swept for the 2nd consecutive series. Orlevius Martinez was placed on the restricted list after being suspended for 80 days for using performance-enhancing drugs. Outfielder Steward Berroa was recalled from AAA-ball. Yusei Kikuchi got the start with Danny Jansen behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field at 1B after the half day off as DH yesterday (Justin Turner served as DH today). Davis Schneider got the start in LF with Daulton Varsho out with a lower back injury. Addison Barger was at the hot corner and Spencer Horwitz got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays snap the 5-game skid and avoid being swept for the 2nd straight series? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Vladimir Guererro Jr. hammered a 2-run bomb to left-center; also scoring Spencer Horwitz
- The Guardians got one back in the bottom half of the inning as David Fry singled scoring Bo Naylor
- The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 3rd as Horwitz belted a solo bomb off the right foul pole
- The Guardians got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Daniel Schneemann singled scoting Ramirez
- A batter later, Josh Naylor was forced in on a bases loaded walk to Johnathan Rodriguez
- A batter after that, Bo Naylor scored on a double play ball hit by Brayan Rocchio
- Yusei Kikuchi pitching line: 2IP 8H 4R (all earned) 1BB 3K 63 pitches (40 for strikes)
- Triston McKenzie pitching line: 3IP 3H 3R (all earned) 4BB 6K 74 pitches (41 for strikes)
- The Guardians added a run in the bottom of the 4th as Steven Kwan whacked a solo blast to right-center
- Three batters later, Josh Naylor belted a solo jack to right-center
- The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 5th as Horwitz hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- Four batters later, Addison Barger singled scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- Emmanuel Clase threw a scoreless 9th for his 24th save of the season
- Final score: Guardians 6 Blue Jays 5
- It was a short game for Yusei Kikuchi with a rain delay ending his day, which likely would have only gone an inning or 2 more with 63 pitches thrown and no outs in the 3rd inning. He gave up 4 runs on 8 hits while walking 1 and striking out 3. He just wasn't able to locate his pitches today and it cost him. His next 2 starts, against the Yankees and Astros won't be any easier either
- The bullpen gave up a further 2 runs on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 2 over the last 6 innings. Trevor Richards was the only reliever to retire every batter he faced
- The Blue Jays offence is starting to turn into an all-or-nothing entity. The power is starting to come back, but they cannot drive in a baserunner if their lives depended on it. Spencer Horwitz contributed a pair of dingers and Vladdy got things started with a bomb. When it mattered most, the Blue Jays failed and that's why they lost.
- The Blue Jays were 1-9 with runners in scoring position and 1-15 with runners in scoring position all weekend.
- Up next, the Blue Jays head to Boston looking to snap the 6-game skid and exact revenge on the Red Sox, who swept the Blue Jays in Toronto a week ago, outscoring the Blue Jays 18-9. Chris Bassitt gets the start against Red Sox righty Tanner Houck.
