Game #126 - Cincinnati Reds (61-65) @ Toronto Blue Jays (59-67) - game recap

 

George Springer hit a pair of HR in a 10-3 rout over the Reds

After a tough loss yesterday on another bullpen meltdown, the Blue Jays were trying to even the series and avoid their 20th series loss of the season and 8th season series loss. Jose Berrios got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field and at the hot corner after the half day off as DH yesterday. George Springer got the half day off as DH with Addison Barger in RF. Leo Jimenez was back at SS after missing a couple of days with a sore knee. Could the Blue Jays avoid their 20th series loss and 8th season series loss of the season? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Will Wagner singled scoring Daulton Varsho
• The Reds tied it up in the top of the 2nd as Noelvi Marte singled scoring Ty France
• The Blue Jays retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Addison Barger doubled scoring Joey Loperfido
• A batter later, George Springer whacked a 2-run blast to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen; also scoring Barger
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 3rd as Alejandro Kirk hammered a solo bomb to left
• A batter later, Spencer Horwitz belted a solo jack to right-enter 
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 4th as Varsho scored on a fielding error by Marte on a ball hit by Will Wagner
• The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the bottiom of the 5th as Leo Jimenez hammered a 2-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Loperfido
• Two batters later, Springer drilled a solo bomb to left
• Carson Spiers pitching line: 4.1IP 13H 10R (9 earned) 2BB 3K 85 pitches (53 for strikes)
• The Reds got one back in the top of the 7th as Elly De La Cruz scored on a ground out hit by Tyler Stephenson
• Jose Berrios pitching line: 7IP 6H 2R (both earned) 2BB 7K 96 pitches (65 for strikes)
• The Reds got one back in the top of the 8th as Spencer Steer singled scoring Stuart Fairchild
• Final score: Blue Jays 10 Reds 3

My Take:

• Jose Berrios fired 7 strong innings, giving up a pair of runs on 6 hits while walking 2 and striking out 7. Berrios retired 9 in a row at one point. He'll be a part of the rotation for the next several years and could be the ace the Blue Jays build their rotation around. He'll have to work on his command in the offseason. He has hit an MLB-high 13 batters and has given up 64HR heading into tonight's start
• The bullpen gave up a run on 3 hits in the final 2 innings. All three hits and the run were charged to Zach Pop, who probably shouldn't have a spot in the bullpen in 2025. Tommy Nance retired every batter he faced
• It was a team effort offensively tonight with every Blue Jays starter getting at least one hit, all but Will Wagner and Vlad scoring a run, and all but Daulton Varsho, Vlad and Joey Loperfido driving in a run.
• The Blue Jays should recall Joey Votto tomorrow to face his old team and get a proper send-off
• The Blue Jays were 3-7 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 12th series win and 8th season series win of the season. Yariel Rodriguez starts against Reds righty Nick Martinez