 |
| Kevin Gausman pitched 8 strong innings in a 2-1 win over the Rangers |
After an ugly shutout loss yesterday due to dreadful pitching and offense, the Blue Jays were looking to snap the 3-game skid and start the week with a win. Kevin Gausman got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Anthony Santander was back in the field in RF after missing several days and several days as DH as he nursed hip and shoulder ailments. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Ernie Clement at 1B. Michael Stefanic got the start at 2B. Nathan Lukes was in LF and Daulton Varsho was in CF. Could the Blue Jays snap the 3-game skid and start the week with a win? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 1st as Daulton Varsked a solo blast to right
- The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 4th on a sac fly by Alejandro Kirk that scored Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- The Rangers got one back in the bottom of the inning as Wyatt Langford whacked a solo blast to left
- Jacob deGrom pitching line: 5.2IP 5H 2R (both earned) 2BB 0K 81 pitches (50 for strikes)
- Kevin Gausman pitching line: 8IP 5H 1R (earned) 0BB 6K 96 pitches (72 for strikes)
- Jeff Hoffman pitched a perfect 9th for his 11th save of the season
- Final score: Blue Jays 2 Rangers 1
My Take:
- Kevin Gausman threw 8 excellent innings, giving up a run on 5 hits, walking none and striking out 6. Gausman retired 9 of the first ten batters he faced and his only mistake was to Wyatt Langford, who took him deep in the 4th inning. The 5th inning was the only time the Rangers got a runner into scoring position
- Jeff Hoffman threw a perfect inning to notch his 11th save of the season. This appearance was encouraging to see since he had been struggling of late and blown three saves. Like Yimi Garcia, Brandon Little and some other relievers, he has been used heavily early in the season with the starting pitchers having a shorter leash.
- The offense did enough to win today with Daulton Varsho going deep and Alejamdro Kirk driving in an insurance run on a sac fly. The lineup is still not set well since the top three in the order are hitting and the Blue Jays are getting little to no production from hitters 5-9 in the batting order. In fact, Anthony Santander, Ernie Clement, Michael Stefanic, and Nathan Lukes were a combined 0-12 with Lukes and Stefanic each managing to draw a walk.
- The Blue Jays were 1-12 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays go for 2 straight wins and 7 series wins on the season. Bowden Francis starts against Rangers righty Nathan Eovaldi.
