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| Bowden Francis threw 5 shutout innings in a 2-0 shutout loss to the Rangers |
After eking out a win over the Rangers thanks to some excellent piching from Kevin Gausman and closer Jeff Hoffman, the Blue Jays were looking to make it 2 wins in a row, to get back to a .500 record and 7 series wins on the season. Bowden Francis got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. George Springer was back in the lineup and in LF after the complete day off yesterday. Vlad was back in the field after a half day off yesterday as DH (Bo Bichette got the half day off as DH today with Ernie Clement getting the start at SS). Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 2 games, get back to .500 and notch their 7th series win of the season? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- Nathan Eovaldi pitching line: 2IP 2H 0R 1BB 2K 39 pitches (22 for strikes)
- Bowden Francis pitching line: 5IP 3H 0R 1BB 6K 75 pitches (60 for strikes)
- The Rangers took the lead in the bottom of the 8th as Josh Jung singled scoring Sam Haggerty
- A batter later, Wyatt Langford scored on a throwing error by Alejandro Kirk on a failed pickoff attempt at 3rd base
- Robert Garcia pitched a perfect 9th for his 3rd save of the season
- Final score: Rangers 2 Blue Jays 0
My Take:
- Bowden Francis threw 5 shutout innings, scattering 3 hits, walking 1 and striking out 6. Francis retired 11 in a row at one point. Once again, John Schneider didn't trust his starter to get through an inning. He had several easy innings and could have managed getting through 6 innings
- The bullpen gave up 2 runs (1 unearned) on 3 hits while walking none and striking out 2 over the last 3 innings. Neither Yariel Rodriguez nor Chad Green retired every batter they faced
- The offense could not take advantage of any of their opportunities to score. Case in point, Bo Bichette led off the game with a double and was stranded at 2B.
- The Blue Jays were 0-10 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to end the disappointing road trip with a win and notch their 7th series win of the season. It will be another bullpen game with Eric Lauer either starting or getting the bulk innings. The Rangers will counter with righty Tyler Mahle
