| Ermie Clement hit a 2-run HR in a 5-3 win over the Angels |
After dropping the finale of the serues against the Reds, the Blue Jays were looking to start the weekend with a win over the Angels, who they swept in Anaheim a week ago, outscoring the Angels 19-5. It was a bullpen day with Ryan Burr serving as the opener with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. George Springer was back in the field after a couple of half days off as DH (Vlad served as DH tonight with Spencer Horwirz at 1B. Joey Loperfido was in LF, Ernie Clement was the hot corner, Leo Jimenez was at SS and Will Wagner got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays start the weekend series with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- Ryan Burr pitching line: 1IP 2H 0R 1BB 2K 29 pitches (18 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Alejandro Kirk doubled scoring Spencer Horwitz
- A batter later, Will Wagner singled scoring Kirk
- A batter after that, Ernie Clement whacked a 2-run blast to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen
- Three batters later, Joey Loperfido scored on a ground out hit by George Springer
- Brock Burke pitching line: 1IP 3H 3R (all earned) 0BB 1K 28 pitches (22 for strikes)
- The Angels got 3 back in the top of the 9th as Nico Kavadas belted a 3-run jack to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen; also scoring Jo Adell and Matt Thaiss
- Final score: Blue Jays 5 Angels 3
My Take:
- Ryan Burr threw an inning, giving up no runs, 2 hits and a walk. It was a curious decision to use Burr as an opener, eapecially with Bowden Francis. The only possible reasons for this decision were Francis was sore and unavailable, the Blue Jays wanted to skip him a turn, or the Blue Jays wanted to evaluate Yarbrough in his traditional role as a long reliever. Starting a game and coming in as a reliever are very different in how a pitcher might prepare for a game. The Blue Jays need an extra starter or two.
- The bullpen mostly held the Angels off the scoreboard, although Tommy Nance gave up a 3-run HR to makr the final out more stressful
- Offensively, the Blue Jays did all their damage in the 2nd inning, starting with an RBI double from Alejandro Kirk, capped by a productive ground out by George Springer with a Will Wagner RBI single and a 2-run HR from Ernie Clement in between
- The Blue Jays were 2-6 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 5 games over the Angels and 2 games overall. Chris Bassitt starts against Angels righty Jack Kochanowicz.
