 |
| Daulton Varsho drove in a run in a 3-2 loss to the Cubs |
After a heart-breaking extra innings loss, the Blue Jays were trying to even the series and avoid their 19th series loss and 11th season series loss of the season. Chris Bassitt got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. George Springer got the half day off as DH with Addison Barger in RF. Davis Schneider got the start in LF. Could the Blue Jays avoid their 19th series loss and 11th season series loss of the season? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Cubs opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Ian Happ led off with a solo bomb to dead center
- Leo Jimenez left the game in the top of the 2nd after tweaking his knee backing up 3rd base in the 1st inning
- Justin Steele pitching line: 2IP 0H 0R 1BB 3K 36 pitches (23 for strikes)
- The Cubs added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 5th as Michael Bush tripled scoring Pete Crow-Armstrong and Miguel Amaya
- Chris Bassitt pitching line: 5IP 5H 3R (all earned) 2BB 5K 76 pitches (43 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 7th as Daulton Varsho singled scoring Steward Berroa
- The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 9th as Addison Barger belted a solo jack to dead center
- Jorge Lopez got the last three outs for his 3rd save of the season
- Final score: Cubs 3 Blue Jays 2
My Take:
- Chris Bassitt battled through 5 innings, giving up 3 runs on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 5. While he only threw 76 pitches, he had to endure a couple of lengthy rain delays. Typically pitchers are sitting down 5-10 minutes while the other team bats. With two rain delays, Bassitt was forced to go into the batting cage under the field and toss the ball to stay loose. The Cubs opted to end Justin Steele's day early after the second rain delay. At least in Toronto, Bassitt doesn't have to worry about a momentum-killing rain delay since the Blue Jays can just close the roof in inclement weather or just not open it at all.
- The bullpen threw 3 shutout innings, walking a batter and striking out 3. Zack Pop retired every batter he faced.
- Speaking of relievers, old friend Nate Pearson was credited with the win. The Blue Jays loaded the bases against him in the 4th inning, but he struck out Davis Schneider and got Steward Berroa to fly out to end the inning
- Offensively, the Blue Jays essentially had to contend with a bullpen daty after the Cubs opted to end starter Justin Steele's day after two innings following two lengthy rain delays. Their best chance at a big inning came in the 4th off ex-Jays reliever Nate Pearson when they loaded the bases on a double and 2 walks, but could not score a run. They scraped together a run on an RBI single in the 8th and Addison Barger made things interesting with a leadoff solo HR in the 9th, but George Springer was unable to play hero today after a game-tying triple in the 9th yesterday. Vlad struck out on a weak swing on what would have been a ball to end the game.
- Impressive work by the groundskeepers who showed a lot of hustle and finesse in taking the tarp on and off the field. It seems they've had a lot of practice at it given the climate of Chicago. The team earned their paycheck today!
- Fun stat of the day: both teams were 1-8 with runners in scoring position. The difference in the game was the one succcessful AB for the Cubs was a 2-run triple whereas Clement's single only produced runs. The two teams traded leadoff home runs too (Jays killer Ian Happ led off the game with a solo shot and Addison Barger led off the 9th with his own solo HR)
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to avoid being swept for the 2nd time this season and being swept in a season series for the 1st time this season. Bowden Francis starts against Cubs lefty Shota Imanata
