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| Alejandro Kirk drove in a pair of runs in a 4-3 extra innings win over the Cardinals |
After an off-day yesterday, the Blue Jays opened up a weekend set against the Cardinals, who won the season series outscoring the Blue Jays 22-15. Kevin Gausman got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. George Springer got the half day off as DH with Addison Barger in RF. Joey Loperfido was in CF and Nathan Lukes was in LF. Vlad was at the hot corner with Spencer Horwitz at 1B. Could the Blue Jays start the weekend with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Cardinals took the lead in the top of the 1st as Nolan Arenado singled scoring Masyn Winn
- Two batters later, Alec Burleson scored on a fielder's choice on a ball hit by Thomas Saggese
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 4th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled scoring George Springer
- A batter later, Natthan Lukes scored on a sac fly by Spencer Horwirz
- Two batters, Alejandro Kirk singled home Guerrero Jr.
- Erick Feddle pitching line: 5IP 6H 3R (all earned) 1BB 3K 94 pitches (61 for strikes)
- Kevin Gausman pitching line: 7IP 9H 2R (both earned)2BB 3K 104 pitches (70 for strikes)
- The Cardinals tied it in the top of the 8th as Saggese hammered a solo bomb to the second deck in left
- The Blue Jays walked it off in the bottom of the 11th as Alejandro Kirk singled home Guerrero Jr.
- Final score: Blue Jays 4 Cardinals 3 (11 innings)
My Take:
- Kevin Gausman threw 7 solid innngs, giving up a pair of runs on 9 hits while walking 2 and striking out 3. He had a rough start to the game, giving up four consecutive singles and 2 runs in the 1st inning. He then retired 11 straight and made a great play on a line drive to end that inning. Other than the 1st inning, Gausman was able to make the pitches he had to make to escape jams without allowing costly runs.
- The bullpen had mixed results. Genesis Cabrera blew the save by giving up a HR to the first bstter he faced. Tommy Nance gave up a base hit and gave the Blue Jays the chance to walk it off in the 9th. Branden Little and Erik Swanson both had perfect innings with the pressure of the ghost runner. I found it interesting that the Blue Jays opted not to use Chad Green in any of the last three innings. To be fair, he has been struggling lately, but he is a veteran pitcher who has the most experience closing games.
- Offesively, the Blue Jays did most of the damage in the 3rd inning with Vlad driving in one and scoring once. Kirk drove in a pair with Vlad scoring on both occasions.
- The Blue Jays were 5-11 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays try for 2 straight wins, 15 series wins and 9 season series wins. Jose Berrios starts against Cardinals righty Kyle Gibson
