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| Ernie Clement drove in 5 runs in a 12-0 shutout win over the A's |
After eking out a shutout win thanks to a clutch 2- run HR off the bat of Bo Bichette, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 2 games and get back to .500 as they began a 4-game series against the A's. The two squads split the season series last year, with the Blue Jays outscoring the A's 21-16. Ace Jose Berrios got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. George Springer got the half day off as DH with Anthony Santander in RF, Jonatan Clase in LF and Myles Straw in CF. Bo Bichette was back in the lineup at SS after the complete day off yesterday. Ernie Clement was at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays make it two wins in a row and get back to .500? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights;
- The Blue jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Ernie Clement drilled a 3- run blast to left center; also scoring Alejandro Kirk and Anthony Santander
- Four batters later, Bo Bichette doubled scoring Jonatan Clase
- A batter later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr hammered a 2-run bomb off the basing of the 3rd deck in left-center; also scoring Bichette
- Four batters later, Clement doubled scoring George Springer and Kirk
- Jacob Lopez pitching line: 1.2IP 6H 7R (all earned) 1BB 0K 43 pitches (24 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 3rd as Bichette belted a 2-run jack to left; also scoring Clase
- Two batters later, Springer whacked a solo blast to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen
- Jose Berrios pitching line: 6IP 2H 0R 2BB 9K 90 pitches (57 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 7th on a sac fly by Kirk that scored Addison Barger
- Final score Blue Jays 12 A's 0
My Take:
- Jose Berrios pitched 6 solid shutout innings, giving up 2 hits, walking 2 and striking out 9. He retried the first 9 batters he faced. Berrios must have been thankful that he had such a big lead to work with.
- The bullpen threw 3 shutout innings, giving up 2 hits, walking none and striking out 4. The big lead allowed the Blue Jays to avoid using their high leverage pitchers.
- The offence did most of the damage in the 2nd and 3rd innings where they scored a combined 11 runs on 10 hits, and 3 walks. Ernie Clement drove in 5 runs in the 3rd inning
- Every Blue Jays starter reached base at least once and all but Anthony Santander had a hit and all but Michael Stefanic and Myles Straw either scored a run or drove in a run.
- The Blue Jays were 6-11 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays try for 3 straight wins and to get above .500. Chris Bassitt starts against A's lefty Jeffrey Springs
