| Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a solo HR in a losing effort as the Reds came from behind to double the Blue Jays 6-3 |
After eking out a win a win yesterday on a solo HR from Joey Loperfido, his first in a Blue Jays uniform, and 7 shutout innings from Bowden Francis, the Blue Jays returned home to start a week-long home stand as the Reds came to town. The Blue Jays took 2 of 3 from the Reds in 2023, outscoring the Reds 14-7. Lefty Easton Lucas was claimed off waivers and optioned to AAA-ball. Alek Manoah was transferred to the 60-day IL. Kevin Gausman got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Spencer Horwitz at 1B. Daulton Varsho was in CF and Joey Loperfido was in LF. Will Wagner got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays make it 2 straight wins? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hammered a solo bomb to the 2nd deck in left-center
- The Reds tied it up in the top of the 3rd on a sac fly by Elly De La Cruz that scored Santiago Espinal
- The Blue Jays retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Daulton Varsho singled scoring George Springer
- The Reds tied it up in the top of the 4th as TJ Friedl hammered a solo bomb in right
- Julian Aguiar pitching line: 4IP 4H 2R (both earned) 1BB 2K 57 pitches (38 for strikes)
- The Reds took the lead in the top of the 6th as Spencer Steer doubled scoring Tyler Stephenson
- Two batters later, Ty France doubled scoring Friedl and Steer
- A batter later, Jake Fraley doubled scoring France
- Kevin Gausman pitching line: 5IP 5H 4R (2 earned) 2BB 5K 100 pitches (65 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 9th as Ernie Clement whacked a solo blast to left-center
- Final score: Reds 6 Blue Jays 3
My Take:
- Kevin Gausman battled through 5 innings, giving up 4 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 5. Hee dealt with base runners in every inning abd wasn't overly efficient. needing 100 pitches to get 15 outs. He's had an inconsistent season and has regressed from the solid seasons he had in 2022 and 2023, particularly in strikeouts.
- The bullpen gave up 4 runs (2 charged to Gausman) on 4 hits and a walk while striking out 3 over the last 4 innings/ Erik Swanson and Tommy Nance retired every batter he faced
- Offensively, the Blue Jays hit a pair of solo home tuns (one each from Vlad and Ernie Clement). Daulton Varsho also had an RBI single
- The home run jacket needs to be repurposed as the player of the game jacket
- The Blue Jays should option Davis Schneider to AAA-ball and recall Joey Votto so he can face his old team
- The Blue Jays were 1-5 with runners in scoring posirion
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to even the series and avoid their 20th series loss of the season. Jose Berrios starts for the Blue Jays. The Reds haven't named a starter for tomorrow's game.
