| Vladimir Guerrero Jr. extended his hitting streak to 22 games with a single in the 1st inning in a 1-0 shutout loss to the A's |
After a solid win thanks to 7 strong innings from Jose Berrios and solo home runs from George Springer and Spencer Horwitz, the Blue Jays were looking for their 3rd straight win, 11th series win and 7th season series win. Yariel Rodriguez got the start with Brian Serven behind the plate. George Springer got the half day off as DH with Addison Barger in RF. Spencer Horwitz got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 3 games and notch their 11h series win and 7th season series win of the season? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. extended his hitting streak to 22 games, tying his career high with a single in the bottom of the 1st.
- The A's opened the scoring in the top of the 6th as Brent Rooker whacked a solo blast just over the wall in left-center. The original call was overturned after a replay review.
- Yariel Rodriguez pitching line: 5.2IP 5H 1R (earned) 1BB 5K 85 pitches (51 for strikes)
- Osvaldo Bido pitching line: 6IP 2H 0R 1BB 5K 89 pitches (54 for strikes)
- Mason Miller threw a perfect 9th for his 17th save of the season
- Final score: A's 1 Blue Jays 0
My Take:
- Yariel Rodriguez threw 5.2 solid innings, giving up a run on 5 hits while walking 1 and striking out 5. Rodriguez really just made the one mistake, a slider that Brent Rooker launched just over the wall in left-center, that required a video review to overturn the initial call. Rodriguez dealt with base runners in most innings, but was able to make the pitches to escape the jams unscathed. He's looking like a contender for one of the vacant starter spots.
- The bullpen held the A's to 3 hits over the last 3.1 innings. Ryan Burr and Zack Pop both retired every batter they faced
- Vlad provided pretty much the only offensive highlight of the game, extending his hitting streak to 22 games with a single in the 1st inning. Here's hoping the hitting coaches stay far away from him during this streak.
- Oakland A's-Bluejays fun fact: For today's fun fact, let's look at what both teams will not experience this season: their head-to-head playoff record. The Blue Jays and A's have faced each other twice in the ALCS. In 1989, the A's defeated the Blue Jays 4 games to 1. Dave Stewart, who 3 years later helped the Blue Jays eliminate the A's in the 1992 ALCS, won the 1st and 5th games in the series (Stewart won game 5 of the 1992 ALCS and got a no-decision in game 1 of that series). In 1989, Rickey Henderson, who helped the Blue Jays win their 2nd world series in 1993, captured the ALCS MVP with an impressive .400 batting average, 2HR, 5RBI and 8 stolen bases. Chime in below with your favorite playoff memory from the two head to head playoff matches between the A's and Blue Jays
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to wrap up the home stand with a win and to notch their 11th series win and 7th season series win. Chris Bassitt starts against A's lefty JP Sears
