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| Daulton Varsho hit a 2-run HR in a 5-4 loss to the Tigers |
After dropping the game following a rough start from Kevin Gausman, the Blue Jays were looking to start the weekend with a win as they began a weekend series against the Tigers, who won the season series 5-2 last year, outscoring the Blue Jays 39-35. Bowden Francis got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Anthony Santander got the complete day off with Nathan Lukes in RF. Jonatan Clase was in LF and Daulton Varsho was in CF. Michael Stefanic got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays start the weekend with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Tigers opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Riley Greene hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- The Tigers added a run in the top of the 4th as Zack McKinstry whacked a solo blast to right
- The Tigers added a pair of runs in the top of the 5th as Greene doubled scoring Kerry Carpenter and Colt Keith
- Bowden Francis pitching line: 4.2IP 8H 4R (all earned) 2BB 6K 95 pitches (58 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays got a pair back in the bottom of the 6th as Daulton Varsho smacked a 2-run blast to the opposite field in left; also scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- Jack Flaherty pitching line: 5.2IP 5H 2R (both earned) 1BB 6K 90 pitches (61 for strikes)
- Nathan Lukes was removed from the game prior to the 7th with a migraine
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 7th as Myles Straw singled scoring Addison Barger
- The Tigers added a run in the top of the 8th as Javier Baez belted a solo jack to left-center
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Bo Bichette hammered a solo bomb to the second deck in left
- Beau Brieske pitched a scoreless 9th for his 1st save of the season
- Final score: Tigers 5 Blue Jays 4
My Take:
- Bowden Francis battled through 4.2 innings, giving up 4 runs on 8 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6. As has been a big problem for the Blue Jays pitchers most of the season, Francis was taken deep twice. He was getting into and out of jams the whole night. He hasn't been able to replicate the fine season he had last year with the batters adjusting.
- Chad Green gave up a crucial insurance run on, what else? a home run. Mason Fluharty was the only reliever to retire every batter he faced
- Offensively, Daulton Varsho and Bo Bichette (who has shown he's capable of hitting for power lately) hit home runs and Myles Straw, who replaced Nathan Lukes, who was suffering from a migraine, had a clutch RBI single. Alas, the rally fell a run short.
- The Blue Jays were 1-7 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 2-game skid and avoid their 7th series loss of the season. It will be a bullpen day for the Blue Jays with lefty Eric Lauer either starting or pitching the bulk innings. The Tigers will counter with righty Reese Olson
