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| Tyler Heineman had three hits, drove in a run and threw out a base runner at 2nd base in an 8-3 loss to the Mariners |
After an extra-innings loss yesterday due to a brutal 5-run inning from Jacob Barnes, who was DFA'd, the Blue Jays were looking to end the homestand with a win and notch their 3rd series win of the season. Reliever Nick Sandin was placed on the 15-day IL with a right lat strain. Righties Dillon Tate and Paxton Schultz were recslled from AAA-ball. Easton Lucas got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. George Springer was back in the field after the half day off yesterday as DH (Anthony Santander served as DH today). Nathan Lukes was in LF and Addison Barger was in RF. Will Wagner was at the hot corner, Could the Blue Jays end the homestand on a winning note and notch their 3rd series win of the season? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Mariners opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Dylan Moore whacked a solo blast to left-center and into the Blue Jays bullpen
- Two batters later, Cal Raleigh hammered a 2- run bomb to left off the basing of the second deck; also scoring Julio Rodriguez
- The Mariners added a pair of runs in the top of the 2nd as Randy Arozarena singled scoring Ben Williamson and Leo Rivas
- A batter later, Mitch Garver singled home Rodriguez
- Easton Lucas pitching line: 1.2IP 7H 6R (all earned) 2BB 5K 55 pitches (32 for strikes)
- The Blue jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Tyler Heineman singled scoring Addison Barger
- Two batters later, Bo Bichette singled scoring Will Wagner
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 4th on a sac fly by Nathan Lukes that scored George Springer
- Luis Castillo pitching 5IP 10H 3R (all earned) 2BB 5K 102 pitches (67 for strikes)
- The Mariners added a pair of runs in the top of the 7th as Rowdy Tellez bashed a 2-run blast to right and into the Blue Jays bullpen; also scoring Garver
- Final score: Mariners 8 Blue Jays 3
My Take:
- Easton Lucas was lit up for 6 runs on 7 hits while walking 2 and striking out 5 while recording just 5 outs. The Blue jays don't really have many options in what was supposed to be Max Scherzer's spot in the rotation. The potential options in Buffalo are struggling. Jake Bloss has given up 19 runs (13 earned) on 19 his and 9 walks over 11 and a third innings. Neither Lazaro Estrada nor Eric Lauer have impressed. Alek Manoah and Rickey Tiederman won't be ready until after the all star break. Yariel Rodriguez isn't built up as a starter. The Blue Jays won't want to have a bullpen day every 5th day since that will lead to overuse and injury. Oh yeah, and next time that spot will come up will be Saturday at Yankee stadium.
- The bullpen gave up a pair of runs on 5 hits while striking out 13 over the last 7.1 innings. Paxson Schultz threw 4.1 impressive innings, scattering 2 hits and striking out 8. Mason Fluharty retired all four batters he faced.
- Much like yesterday, the Blue Jays had a good pitcher on the ropes and let him off the hook. Tyler Heineman continued his solid start to the season with 3 hits and and RBI and he threw out a runner at 2B to end the 8th inning. Bo Bichette is back to being the Blue Jays most consistent batter and drove in a run. They had enough base runners and chances to make a game of of it, but they could not deliver. Being 5-21 with runners in scoring position isn't going to win ball games. Not hitting a home run won't do it either.
- Up next, the Blue Jays hit the road, starting in Houston tomorrow night. The Astros won the season series 5-2 in 2024, outscoring the Blue Jays 42-15. Kevin Gausman starts against Astros righty Hunter Brown
