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| Kevin Kiermaier hit a grand slam as the Blue Jays hung on for an 8-7 win over the Diamondbacks |
After a blowout loss last night, the Blue Jays were looking to snap the 2-game skid and avoid being swept for the 2nd time this season. Bowden Francis was optioned to AAA-ball and lefty Brandon Eisert was recalled from AAA-ball. Yusei Kikuchi got the start with Danny Jansen behind the plate. George Springer got the half day off as DH wirh Steward Berroa in RF. K evin Kiermaier was in CF and Daulton Varsho was in LF. Could the Blue Jays snap the 2-game skid and avoid being swept for the 2nd time this season? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd on a fielding error by Diamondbacks SS Geraldo Perdomo on a ball hit by Ernie Clement that scored Daulton Varsho
- The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 4th as Varsho singled scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- A batter later, Clement singled home Danny Jansen and advanced to 2nd on a throwing error by Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
- Two batters later, Kevin Kiermaier hammered a grand slam to right; also scoring Varsho, Clement and Leo Jimenez
- Zac Gallen pitching line: 3.2IP 9H 7R (6 earned) 1BB 1K 70 pitches (44 for strikes)
- The Diamondbacks got 4 back in the bottom half of the inning as Ketel Marte hammered a grand slam to dead center; also scoring Jake McCarthy, Eugenio Suarez and Perdomo
- Four batters later, Randal Grichuk singled scoring Gabriel Moreno
- Two batters later, Suarez singled scoring Gurriel Jr. and Grichuk
- Yusei Kikuchi pitching line: 4.2IP 6H 7R (all earned) 3BB 6K 86 pitches (48 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays retook the lead in the top of the 7th as Guerrero Jr. hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- Chad Green got the last 4 outs for his 6th save of the season
- Final score: Blue Jays 8 Diamondbacks 7
My Take:
- Yusei Kikuchi was lit up for 7 runs on 6 hits while walking 3 and striking out 6 over 4.2 innings. The wheels really fell off the train in the 5th inning when Kikuchi was lit up for the 7 runs on 4 hits (there were actually 5 hits total in the inning, but Genesis Cabrera allowed the last hit and 2 inherited runners to score), 3 walks and a hit batter. Pete Walker did a mound visit after the first walk and wild pitch. The mound visit had little effect and a big reason why Walker needs to be part of the desparately needed overhaul of the coaching staff and management.
- The bullpen, once Cabrera was able to finally get out of the 5th inning, kept the Diamondbacks off the scoreboard in the last 4 innings. Collectively, they allowed 3 hits and a walk while striking out 3. Trevor Richards was the only reliever to retire every batter he faced.
- The offence was actually on today and chased Zac Gallen with a huge 6-run 4th inning, capped by a Kevin Kiermaier grand slam. Vladdy was 3-5 with 2 runs scored and a run batted in and knocked in the winning run on a solo HR.
- Every Blue Jays starter except Steward Berroa had at least one hit.
- The Blue Jays were 3-7 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the all-star break. The big question is whether the Blue Jays return next Friday with a new manager, GM, and/or other coaches. When the team returns, they will face the Tigers, who took 3 of 4 in Detroit 2 months ago with both teams scoring 23 runs. The Blue Jays have a rare opportunity to reset their rotation with 4 off-days. The Blue Jays can turn to ace Jose Berrios, yesterday's starter, go with the next man up, which would be Chris Bassitt or go with the hot pitcher in Kevin Gausman. The Tigers haven't set their rotation either.
