Game #60 Philadelphia Phillies (37-23) @ Toronto Blue Jays (31-29) - game recap

 

Addison Barger homered for the 4th consecutive game in a 8-3 loss to the Phillies

After an off-day yesterday, the Blue Jays continued the homestand as the Phillies came to town. The Phillies took the season series 3-1 last year, outscoring the Blue Jays 27-17. Andre Gimenez came off the 10-day IL and got the start at 2B and Tyler Heineman was reinstated from the 7-day concussion IL and was available off the bench. Michael Stefanic and Ali Sanchez were both DFA'd. Bowden Francis got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after a half day off as DH on Sunday. George Springer got the half day off as DH with Addison Barger in RF. Davis Schneider got the start in LF. Ernie Clement was at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 6 games? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Phillies opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Trea Turner whacked a 2-run blast to the opposite field in right-center; also scoring Bryson Stott
• A batter later, Bryce Harper smacked a solo blast to right-center and into the Phillies bullpen
• Four batters later, Max Kepler singled scoring Alec Bohm
• Three batters later, Stott singled home Nick Castellanos and Kepler
• The Phillies added a run in the top of the 2nd on a sac fly by Castellanos that scored Harper 
• Bowden Frances pitching line: 1.2IP 7H 7R (6 earned) 2BB 2K 58 pitches (39 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 5th as Davis Schneider belted a solo jack to the opposite field in right-center and into the Phillies bullpen 
• Christopher Sanchez pitching line: 6IP 4H 1R (earned) 4BB 4K 96 pitches (55 for strikes)
• The Phillies added a run in the top of the 8th as Turner whacked a solo blast to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen
• The Blue Jays got a pair back in the bottom half of the inning as Addison Barger hammered a 2-run bomb off the basing of the 3rd deck. It was the 4th straight game where Barger had a home run; also scoring Alejandro Kirk
• Final score: Phillies 8 Blue Jays 3

My Take:-

• Bowden Frances was lit up for 7 runs on 7 hits while walking 2 and striking out 2 (and he hit a batter). There was nothing positive about this outing, but it has to be concerning to John Schneider and co that the Blue Jays essentially have 3 starters they can rely on to go deep into the game. Frances had a nice run last season, but it certainly hasn't translated to success this season. It's clear that batters have adjusted to him and he has no answer. The Blue Jays don't have much choice but to keep him in the rotation until Max Scherzer, assuming no setbacks in the rehab, returns and/or Spencer Turnbull has finished building up and is set to join the rotation (hopefully soon
• The bullpen gave up a run on 4 hits while walking 2 and striking out 8 over the last 6.1 innings. None of the relievers retired every batter they faced. Eric Lauer has established himself as a valuable long reliever. He threw 4 shutout innings, only walking one batter and striking out 2.
• The red hot Addison Barger homered for the 4th straight game, putting him halfway to the record of homering in 8 consecutive games. Don Mattingly, Ken Griffey Jr. and Dale Long all homered in 8 consecutive days. Kendrys Morales strung together a 7-game home run streak as a Blue Jay in 2018. 
• Davis Schneider, doing his best to stick in the bigs, also homered and was the only other Blue Jay to reach base multiple times
• The Blue Jays were 0-2 with runners in scoring position.
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to even the series. Ace Jose Berrios starts against Phillies righty Mick Abel.

Game #60 Philadelphia Phillies (36-23) v. Toronto Blue Jays (31-28)

 

Game #59 Athletics (23-37) @Toronto Blue Jays (31-28) - game recap

 

Addison Barger hit a 3-run HR in the 8th inning to lift the Blue Jays to an 8-4 comeback win over the A\s

After hanging on to edge past the A's, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 4 games and complete their 3rd sweep of the season. Daulton Varsho was placed on the 10-day IL with a hamstring strain. Eric Swanson was activated off the 60-day IL. Davis Schneider was recalled from AAA-ball and got the start at 2B. Finally, lefty Easton Lucas was optioned to AAA-ball. Kevin Gausman got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Ernie Clement at 1B. George Springer was in the field in RF after DH'ing yesterday. Myles Straw was in CF. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 4 games and complete their 3rd sweep of the season? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The A's opened the scoring in the top of the 1st on a ground out by Tyler Soderstrom that scored Lawrence Butler
• Soderstrom was ejected for arguing balls and strikes in the top of the 3rd.
• The A's added a pair of runs in the top of the 5th as Luis Urias doubled scoring Brent Rooker and Miguel Andujar
• Kevin Gausman pitching line: 4.2IP 8H 3R (all earned) 2BB 7K 96 pitches (60 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as George Springer singled scoring Myles Straw
• A batter later, Alejandro Kirk singled scoring Vladimir G-uerrero Jr. Springer was tagged out on the play when he was caught hopping up and down after apparently tweaking his ankle sliding into 3rd base.
• JP Sears pitching line: 5IP 7H 2R (both scored) 0BB 3K 84 pitches (54 for strikes)
• The A's added a run in the top of the 8th on a sac fly by Jacob Wilson that scored Willie MacIver
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Addison Barger whacked a 3-run blast to right-center; also scoring Springer and Alan Roden
• Three batters later, Nathan Lukes singled scoring Ernie Clement
• Three batters later, Guerrero Jr. doubled home Davis Schneider
• Final score: Blue Jays 8 A's 4

My Take:

• Kevin Gausman battled through 4.2 innnings, giving up 3 runs on 8 hits while walking 2 and striking out 7. It was clear that Gausman was struggling with command, yanking several pitches well outside the strike zone. He showed frustration with himself and at the umpire when he felt he should have gotten the strike call. Umpires are human though and less likely to call strikes if a pitcher isn't consistently in the zone. 
• The bullpen gave up a run on 3 hits, walking 1 and striking out 7, Mason Fluharty was the only reliever to retire every batter he faced. Eric Swanson, in his season debut, was credited with the win.
• Let's talk about Davis Schneider. He was given a second chance when Daulton Varsho went down with the hamstring strain. He had a mixed day today. At the plate, he cracked a single down the line, struck out on the next turn at the plate and drew a walk. He made a bad throw after a diving stop on a ground ball. Schneider is going to have to play really well not to be optioned back when Varsho returns, and he could very well be the move Tuesday when Andres Gimenez is expected to come off the IL.
• The offense continues to find ways to come through. Today, it was a 6-run 8th-inning rally that lifted the Blue Jays to victory. Addison Barger started it off with a 3-run HR, homering for the 3rd straight game. Vlad drove in a pair and scored once. 
• Every Blue Jays starter had at least one hit and all but Bo Bichette and Jonatan Clase either scored a run or drove in a run
• The Blue Jays were 5-10 with runners in scoring position. 
• You have to feel for the A's, who have now lost 17 of 18 games. They are playing in a temporary stadium and will be moving in a couple of seasons to their new home in Las Vegas. It has to be hard on the A's players with that uncertainty and losing all the time. As bad as the Blue Jays have been, they've never endured a 100 loss season and, except for this year, the Blue Jays have been playing in the tough AL east division.
• Up next, after an off-day tomorrow, the Blue Jays continue the homestand against the Phillies, who won the season series last year 3-1, outscoring the Blue Jays 27-17. Bowden Francis starts against Phillies righty Zack Wheeler.

Game #59 Oakland Athletics (23-36) v. Toronto Blue Jays (30-28)