 |
| Alejandro Kirk hit a 3-run HR in a 5-3 win over the Orioles |
After an off-day yesterday, the blue Jays opened the first homestand since the trade deadline against the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles have won 6 of the 10 meetings in the season series thus far, outscoring the Blue Jays 60-36. Chris Bassitt got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after serving as DH Sunday (Spencer Horwitz served as DH tonight). George Springer was back in the lineup and in RF after missing a game Sunday with a shin contusion. Addison Barger was at the hot corner and Leo Jimenez was at 2B. Could the Blue Jays start the week and homestand with a win? Here is tonught's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- Albert Suarez pitching line: 5IP 2H 0R 2BB 6K 73 pitches (46 for strikes)
- The Orioles took the lead in the top of the 6th as Jackson Holliday hammered a solo bomb to right-center
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. extended his hit streak to 18 games with a single in the bottom half of the inning
- Two batters later. the Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Alejandro Kirk belted a 3-run jack to left-center; also scoring Vladimir Guerreo Jr. and Spencer Horwitz
- Three batters later, Addison Barger doubled scoring Daulton Varsho and Ernie Clement
- The Orioles got one back in the top of the 8th as Adley Rutschman was forced in on a bases loaded walk to Austin Slater
- Chris Bassitt pitching line: 7IP 3H 2R (both earned) 2BB 9K 100 pitches (65 for strikes)
- Chad Green pitched a perfect 9th for his 9th save of the season. He has earned a role in the bullpen next year.
- Final score: Blue Jays 5 Orioles 2
My Take:
- Chris Bassitt may have had his best start of the season, pitching into the 8th inning, giving up a pair of runs on 3 hits while walking 2 and striking out 9. Two of the hits and one of the walks came in the 8th inning where he clearly ran out of gas. After walking the leadoff hitter in the 2nd, Bassitt retired 14 of the next 16 batters he faced. Kudos to Bassitt for offering an x (formerly twitter) Blue Jays fan who lost his mom tickets to Blue Jays games.
- The bullpen gave up a walk while striking out 3 over the last 2 innings. Genesis Cabrera did well to escape a bases loaded jam he inherited with just one run allowed. Chad Green retired every batter he faced.
- The offense did all the damage in the 6th inning led by Alejandro Kirk (3-run HR) and Addison Barger (2-run double)
- And Vlad remains red hot. He extended his hitting streak to 18 games with a single in the 6th inning. Will be fun to see how long he can keep it up. Signing him to a long-term contract should be the second priority this off-season (the first has to be letting Ross Atkins go and a new GM make the roster moves). Here's a crazy idea, bat Vladdy leadoff until he doesn't get a hit. the top 2 players in the lneup were a combined 0-8.
- Bo Bichette and Jordan Romano should both focus their rehab on returning in 2025. The team will need both at full strength next season and it's not worth a setback trying to rush back.
- Here's hoping hometown hero Joey Votto joins the team in the next week or so. The fans need something to cheer about
- The Blue Jays were 2-5 with runners in scoring position.
- Up next, the Blue Jays go for 2 straight wins and 12 series wins. Bowden Francis starts against Orioles lefty Trevor Rogers
