- |
| George Springer hit a pair of solo home runs in an 8-7 win over the A's |
After hanging on for another win in which the Blue Jays scored double digit runs, the Blue Jays were trying to extend the win streak to 4 games and notch their 7th series win of the season. Prior to the game, lefty Easton Lucas was recalled from AAA-all and righty Jose Urena was DFA'd. Braydon Fisher got the start with Ali Sanchez behind the plate. Jonatan Clase got the start in LF. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 4 games and notch their 7th series win of the season? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The A's opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Tyler Soderstrom hammered a 3-run bomb to dead center; alsl scoring Jacob Wilson and Brent Rooker
- The Blue Jays got a pair back in the bottom half of the inning as Addison Barger annihilated a 2-run bomb to the second deck in right; also scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- Four batters, Nathan Lukes singled scoring George Springer and Daulton Varsho
- The A's retook the lead in the bottom of the 2nd as Denzel Clarke drilled a 2-run blast to the second deck to left; also scoring Luis Arias
- Braydon Fisher pitching line: 1.1IP 4H 5R (all earned) 1BB 1K 35 pitches (23 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays tied it in the bottom half of the inning as Bo Bichette whacked a solo blast to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen
- The Blue Jays retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning as George Springer hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- A batter later, Daulton Varsho left the game in the bottom of the 3rd when he pulled his hamstring trying to stretch a double into a triple
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 5th as Springer hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 6th on a wild pitch by Gunnar Hoglund that scored Ernie Clement
- Gunnar Hoglund pitching line: 6IP 10H 8R (all earned) 2BB 1K 93 pitches (59 for strikes)
- The A's got a pair back in the top of the 9th as Rooker hammered a 2-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Lawrence Butler
- Jeff Hoffman got the last 3 outs for his 13th save of the season.
- Final score: Blue Jays 8 Jays 7
My Take:
- Braydon Fisher was roughed up for 5 runs on 4 hits and a wal while striking out 1 over 1.1 innings. It was another bullpen day, an occurrence expected to continue another month at least with Max Scherzer progressing in his thumb rehab, but with more hurdles to clear. Spencer Turnbull is still building up, and he is a wild card at best. Nobody has been able to take the proverbial bull by the horns and give the Blue Jays any more than 4-5 innings tops.
- The bullpen threw 6.2 shutout innings (allowing 5 hits, walking 3 and striking out 5) until Jeff Hoffman gave up a bomb to cut the lead to one run and then gave up a double. The only reason he didn't blow the save was thanks to a spectacular diving catch by Ernie Clement to end the game. Yariel Rodriguez was the only reliever to retire every batter he faced.
- You have to feel for Daulton Varsho, who missed the first few weeks of the season as he completed rehab on off-season shoulder surgery. Now, he's pulled his left hamstring, an injury that could require several weeks to heal if it's as bad as it looked on TV
- The offense continues to show consistency. They immediately responded to being down three runs with four of their own in the 1st inning. Bo Bichette is showing some power, hitting his 3rd home run in 4 games, George Springer went deep twice and Addison Barger reached the second deck in right for the second straight day. The old adage is true: hitting is contagious.
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 5 games and complete their 3rd sweep of the season and 3rd season series win. Kevin Gausman starts against A'S lefty JP Sears
