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| Tyler Heineman scored the only Blue Jays run, forced in on a basrs loaded hit by pitch, in a 2-1 loss to the Mets |
After blowing a late lead and getting walked off thanks to an inept bullpen, the Blue Jays were looking to snap the 2-game skid and avoid being swept for the first time this season. Bowden Francis got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. The Blue Jays opted to keep Alejandro's bat in the lineup as DH against a lefty. Davis Schneider was in LF and Anthony Santander was in RF. Ernie Clement was at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays snap the 2-game skid and avoid being swept for the first time this season? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Mets opened the scoring in the bottom of the 3rd as Pete Alonso singled scoring Hayden Senger
- A batter later, Juan Soto scored on a sac fly by Brandon Niimo
- The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 5th the painful way as Tyler Heineman was forced in when Andre Gimenez was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded
- David Peterson pitching line: 4.2IP 3H 1R (earned) 5BB 3K 91 pitches (53 for strikes)
- Bowden Francis pitching line: 5.1IP 6H 2R (both earned) 2BB 6K 90 pitches (58 for strikes)
- Edwin Diaz pitched a scoreless 9th for his 2nd save of the season
- Final score: Mets 2 Blue Jays 1
My Take:
- Bowden Francis kept up the solid start to the season for the Blue Jays starting pitching, who have all pitched into the 6th inning, with the exception of Max Scherzer, who only made it through three innings before his ailing thumb caused a tight lat muscle, Jose Berrios in the season opener and Easton Lucas in a spot start, the starters have been getting extra outs. Max Scherzer's absence makes the starting pitchers getting deep into games that much more crucial and it means Yariel Rodriguez might need to make the odd start - the team would prefer he remain in the bullpen. Today, Francis battled his way in and out of trouble all day, giving up a pair of runs on 6 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6. It was only the 3rd inning where the Mets scored off him, cashing in 2 on 2 walks, a single and a sac fly. He looks like he has found a home in the rotation.
- The bullpen was solid tonight, allowing a hit and a walk over the last 2.2 innings. Brandon Little bounced back after a rough appearance yesterday with a 1-2-3 8th inning and 2 strikeouts
- Offensively, it might have been the worst effort of the season with the Blue Jays unable to take advantage of an effectively wild Davd Peterson, who walked five batters, gave up three hits and hit Andres Gimenez with the bases loaded, a batter he never should have faced after tweaking something a couple of batters prior. The game ended in frustrating fashion with Vlad hitting into a fielder's choice on the first pitch with runners on 1st and 2nd after Mets closer Edwin Diaz hit a couple of batters
- Baseball can be a perplexing sport at the best of times. The Blue Jays came into the series with a 5-2 record having swept the Nationals, outscoring the Nats 14-7. After getting swept by the Mets (and outscored 10-3), the Blue Jays now face a tough 4-game series at Fenway park followed by a rematch with the O's in Baltimore next weekrnd.
- At this point, the Blue Jays could use a distraction, like a surprise lifetime contract with Vlad. Rumor has it the Blue Jays and Guerrero Jr. are very close to inking what is expected to be a 14-year deal worth $500 million. Vlad was very adamant about not negotiating in-season, but perhaps his slow start to the season and seeing the empty stadium in Toronto changed his mind.
- Up next, the Blue Jays head to Boston to continue the road trip. The Red Sox won the season series last year, outscoring the Blue Jays 53-52. Easton Lucas starts against Red Sox righty Richard Fitts
