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| Spencer Horwitz hit a 2-run HR in a 4-3 come-from-behind walk-off loss to the Braves |
After a huge win thanks to a team effort offensively, especially from Ernie Clement, the Blue Jays were trying to make it 2 straight wins, 14 series wins and 8 season series wins. Yariel Rodriguez got the start with Brian Serven behind the plate. George Springer was back in the lineup and in RF after the complete day off yesterday. Joey Loperfido was in CF and Davis Schneider was in LF. Luis De Los Santos got the start at the hot corner with Leo Jimenez at 2B. Alejandro Kirk served as DH. Could the Blue Jays make it 2 straight wins, 14 series wins and 8 season series wins? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Braves opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Jarred Kelenic drilled a solo jack to right-center
- Yariel Rodriguez pitching line: 5IP 2H 1R (earned) 1BB 6K 73 pitches (44 for strikes)
- Chris Sale pitching line: 6IP 2H 0R 1BB 7K 113 pitches (71 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 8th as Spencer Horwitz hammered a 2-run bomb to right; also scoring Ernie Clement
- The Braves tied it in the bottom of the 9th on a sac fly by Matt Olson that scored Eli White
- The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 11th as George Springer singled scoring Addison Barger
- The Braves tied it in the bottom half of the inning on a throwing error by Clement that scored Michael Harris II
- Two batters later, White scored on a fielder's choice hit by Sean Murphy
- Final score: Braves 4 Blue Jays 3 (11 innings)
My Take:
- Yariel Rodriguez battled through 5 innings, giving up a run on 2 hits while walking 1 and striking out 7. He retired the last 6 batters he faced. It appears the Blue Jays are starting to limit Rodroguez's innings in the last month of the season, which makes a lot of sense given they have big injury concerns with some of their prospects (Alek Manoah won't pitch until the middle of next season after tommy john surgery in April and Rickey Tiederman has missed significant time in virtually every season and his pitching elbow is a big concern). At this point, Rodriguez has given the Blue Jays a pretty good sample size to evaluate him and make him even better in 2025.
- The bullpen blew save opportunities in the 9th and 11th innings. For Chad Green, it was the 3rd blown save in a row for him. Zack Pop was given the opportunity to close out the game after escaping a bases loaded jam the previous inning, but was unable to even record an out. The bullpen is likely the biggest need for the off-season for the Blue Jays, who need 2-3 solid reliable relievers. At this point, Branden Little, Genesis Cabrera and maybe Erik Swanson, who has bounced back after a terrible start to the season, and Green should have a spot in the rotation. A healthy Jordan Romano should start as the closer.
- Offensively, the Blue Jays did all their damage once Chris Sale was out of the game. Spencer Horwirz belted a 2-run HR and George Springer got a clutch base hit in the 11th to briefly restore the lead
- The Blue Jays were 3-12 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays head home to begin a week-long homestand beginning tomorrow against the Mets. The Blue Jays swept the series against the Mets last season, outscoring the Mets 11-5. Mets righty Nick Blackburn starts for the Mets. The Blue Jays haven't set their rotation for the series yet.
