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| George Springer hit a 2-run HR in a losing effort as the Angels rallied late for an 8-3 comeback win over the Blue Jays |
After an off day/travel day yesterday, the Blue Jays opened their first west coast swing tonight against the Angels. The Blue Jays swept the season series last year 7-0, outscoring the Angels 40-15. The Blue Jays officially signed righties Spencer Turnbull (optioned to the FCL to start ramping up) and Jose Urena. Max Scherzer and Eric Swanson were both tramsferred to the 60-day IL, meaning neither will be back before the end of this month. Lefty Josh Walker was optioned back to AAA-ball. Urena got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Daulton Varsho was back in the lineup and in CF after missing a game with lower back spasms. George Springer got the half day off as DH with Alan Roden in LF and Anthony Santander in RF. Ernie Clement was at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays snap the 2-game skid and start the week and road trip with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as George Springer whacked a 2-run blast to left-center; also scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- The Angels tied it up in the bottom half of the inning s Taylor Ward hammered a 2-run bomb to dead center: also scoring Zach Neto
- Jose Urena pitching line: 4.1IP 4H 2R (both earned) 1BB 2K 74 pitches (52 for strikes)
- Tyler Anderson pitching line: 6.2IP 6H 2R (both earned) 1BB 7K 93 pitches c(66 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays retook the lead in the bottom of the 8th asc Anthony Santander whacked a solo blast just fair down the right field line
- The Angels tied it in the bottom half of the inning on a sac bunt by Nolan Schaunel thaat scored Neto
- -Three batters later, Lohan O'Hoppe singled scoring Schaunel
- A batter later, Yoan Moncada hammered a 3-run bomb to right; also scoring Ward and O'Hoppe
- Two batters later, Jo Adell hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- Final score: Angels 8 Blue Jays 3
My Take:
- Jose Urena did everything the Blue Jays could have asked for, considering he barely had a chance to let the ink dry on the one year deal he signed officially yesterday. He gave up ca pair of runs on a 2-run HR in the opening innings and held the Angels to four hits and a walk the rest of the way. The bullpen still had to cover over half the game, But that's better than using an opener that will only pitch one to two innings, depending on how efficient he is in the 1st inning. Here's hoping Urena builds on this start and makes some tweaks in his side session with Pete walker consulting.
- The bullpen imploded in the 8th inning, giving up 6 runs on 4 hits, a walk and a brutal error by Erniel Clement. This is a direct result of the Blue Jays going to the well too many timed and overtaxing their bullpen. For imi Garcia, it was jis second straign rough appearance (at least this time he wasn't hung out to dry). For Jeff Hoffman, it was his worst appearance of the season. The Blue Jays need Jose Berrios to pitch deep into tomorrow's game becuase reinorcements are a 5-hour flight away.
- The good mews offensively, the Blue Jays are starting to hit home runs. George Speinger went deep in the 1st inning for 2 runs and Anthpnny Santander blted one out in the 8th inning
- The bad news offensively, the team can't score when it matters and can't rally for s big inning. Bo Bichette and Daulton Varsho both struck out 3 times
- The Blue Jays were 0-8 with runners in scoring position
- The Loss extended the losing streak to 3 gamws and snapped a seven games winning streak over the Angels (they swept the season series last yesr)
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 3-game skid. Ace Jose Berrios starts against Angels lefty and ex-Blue Jay Yusei Kikuchi
