Vladimir Guerrero Jr, the Blue Jay's lone all-star, hit a 2-run HR in a 5-4 loss to the Tigers |
After a much-needed 4-day break for the all-star game, the Blue Jays opened the unofficial 2nd half of the season with a weekend series at home against the Tigers, who took 3 of 4 in Detroit two months ago with both teams scoring 23 runs each. Yimi Garcia was reinstated from the 15 day IL. Erik Swanson was recalled from AAA-ball. Zack Pop was optioned back to AAA-ball. Chris Bassitt got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Bo Bichette was back in the lineup and at SS after missing seeveral games prior to the all-star break with a right calf strain. George Springer was back in the field after DH'ing the last game before the all-star break (Justin Turner served as DH tonight). Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 2 games? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights
- The Tigers opened the scoring in the top of the 4th as Riley Greene singled scoring Mike Vierling
- A batter later, Mark Cahna whacked a 2-run blast to left-center; also scoring Greene\
- The Blue Jays got a pair back in the bottom of the 6th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hammered a 2-run bomb to left; also scoring Spencer Horwitz
- Jack Flaherty pitching line: 5.2IP 3H 2R (both earned) 1BB 8K 98 pitches (62 for strikes)
- Bo Bichette left the game just prior to the top of the 7th
- The Tigers added a pair of runs in the top of the 7th as Wenceel Perez belted a 2-run jack to right-center; also scoring Gio Urshela
- Chriss Bassitt pitching line: 6.2IP 7H 5R (all earned) 1BB 6K 95 pitches (67 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays got a pair back in the bottom of the 8th as George Springer smacked a 2-run blast to left; also scoring Kevin Kiermaier
- Tyler Holton pitched a perfect 9th for his 3rd save of the season
- Final score: Tigers 5 Blue Jays 4
My Take:
- Chris Bassitt battled through 6-2 innings, giving up 5 runs on 7 hits while walking 1 and striking out 6. The Tigers took him deep twice for 4 of the runs. Bassit retired 8 of the 1st 11 batters he faced, including starting a line drive double play. It's been an up and down season so far for the Blue Jays righty. who'll likely have an opportunity to battle for the opening day start next year.
- The bullpen threw 2.1 perfect innings while striking out 3 to give the offence a chance to comeback
- Sadly, the offence is still inept aat driving in runners in scoring position and getting clutch hits when needed. Vlad and George Springer provided the offense with a 2-run HR each
- The bigger concern has to be the health of Bo Bichette, who came up limping in the bottom of the 6th with a calf injury. He already had an IL stint prior to the all-star break and missed seeveral games after coming off the IL. Time to give him an extended break and let the calf heal. It's a lost season anyway, so why not shut him down for the next six weeks and attempt a comeback for September?
- You have to feel for Joey Votto, who has had the season from hell, starting with stepping on a bat in the dugout after hitting a home run in his first AB as a Blue Jay. Votto was slated to begin the final stage of his rehab in AAA-Buffalo. Instead, he was a late scratch after reinjuring the ankle in warm-up drills. You have to wonder if this is the end of his career. He's 40 years old and has endured health problems the last few seasons. It's very unlikely he'll win a series with the Blue Jays anytime soon. The only way I see him signing with another team is if there's a very strong chance of winning the elusive world series.
- The Blue Jays were 0-4 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to even the series in what could be the final start in a Blue Jays uniform for Yusei Kikuchi. The Tigers will counter with righty Reese Olson