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| Ernie Clement hit a 3-run HR in a losing effort as the Reds came from behind to defeat the Blue Jays 11-7 |
After a huge win thanks to 7 strong innings from Jose Berrios and a 5-HR night from the offense, the Blue Jays were going for 2 straight wins, 12 series wins and 8 season series wins. Yariel Rodriguez got the start with Brian Serven behind the plate. George Springer served as DH for the second straight game. Davis Schneider was in LF, Ernie Clenent was at SS and Leo Jimenez got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays make it 2 straight wins, 12 series wins and 8 season series wins? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as George Springer led off with a solo blast to left-center
- Three batters later, Spencer Horwitz hammered a 2-run bomb to the second deck in right-center; also scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- The Blue Jays added three more runs in the bottom of the 3rd as Ernie Clement whacked a 3-run blast to left-center and into the Blue Jays bullpen; also scoring Daulton Varsho and Horwitz
- The Reds got a pair back in the top of the 4th as Spencer Steer hammered a two-run bomb to the 3rd deck in left; also scoring Tyler Stephenson
- The Reds got one back in the top of the 5th as Jonathan India singled scoring Santiago Espinal
- A batter later, Elly De La Cruz singled scoring Noevli Martin and India
- A batter after that, De La Cruz scored on a fielder's choice hit by Stephenson
- Four batters later, Stephenson was forced in on a bases loaded walk to Espinal
- Yariel Rodriguez pitching line: 4.1IP 6H 5R (all earned) 2BB 6K 87 pitches (51 for strikes)
- Nick Martinez pitching line: 4.1IP 6H 6R (all earned) 3BB 3K 86 pitches (55 for strikes)
- The Reds added a run in the top of the 7th as Martin whacked a solo blast to the opposite field in right-center and into the Reds bullpen
- A batter later, India belted a solo blast to left
- Two batters later, Stephenson doubled scoring De La Cruz
- The Reds added a run in the top of the 9th as De La Cruz smacked a solo blast to the opposite field just inside the foul pole in left
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 9th as Leo Jimenez doubled scoring Guerrero Jr.
- Final score: Reds 11 Blue Jays 7
My Take:
- Yariel Rodrguez battled through 4.1 innings, giving up 5 runs on 6 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6. Rodrigiguez started the game retiring 9 of the 1st 11 batters he faced. Where he really ran into trouble was the 4th inning where he only managed 1 out and ended up with being charged with 5 runs total. He's a project for Pete Walker.
- The bullpn was awful, giving up 8 runs (2 charged to Rodriguez) on 5 hits while walking 3 and striking out 7. Chad Green was the only reliever to retire every batter he faced.
- Offensively, the Blue Jays were led by 3 home runs (a lead-off HR from George Springer, a 2-run HR off the bat of Spencer Horwitz and a 3-run HR from Ernie Clement).
- Every Blue Jays batter except Addison Barger had at least one hit
- The Blue Jays were 2-13 with runners in scoring position.
- Happy trails to Joey Votto, who opted to retire after an attempted comeback from an ankle injury caused by stepping on a bat after his one and only AB in a Blue Jays uniform. Too bad the Blue Jays didn't call him up for a final series against the Reds, the team he spent his entire career with
- Up next, the Blue Jays open a 4-game weekend set against the Angels, who they swept in Anaheim, outscoring the Angels 19-5 a week ago. Neither team has set their rotation for the series.
