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| Alejandro Kirk homered twice and drove in 3 runs in a 9-5 loss to the Diamondbacks |
After another solid win on the strength of some fine pitching and 6 runs against the Diamondbacks beleaguered bullpen, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 3 games and to complete their 5th series sweep and 4th season series sweep. Kevin Gausman got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. George Springer got the half day off as DH with Jonatan Clase returning to the lineup and in CF after missing a game after getting hit in the knee by a pitch on Tuesday. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 3 games and to complete their 5th series sweep and 4th season series sweep? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Diamondbacks opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Eugenio Suarez whacked a 2-run blast to the opposite field in right-center; also scoring Josh Naylor
- The Blue jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Alejandro Kirk smacked a solo blast to the opposite field in right-center
- The Diamondbacks added a pair of runs in the top of the 3rd as Suarez doubled scoring Ketel Marte and Pavin Smith
- The Diamondbacks added a pair of runs in the top of the 5th as Smith hammered a 2-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Marte
- Four batters later, Naylor scored on a sac fly by Randal Grichuk
- Kevin Gausman pitching line: 4.1IP 7H 7R (all earned) 3BB 4K 81 pitches (46 for strikes)
- The Diamondbacks added a run in the top of the 6th as Marte doubled scoring Jose Herrera
- A batter later, Geraldo Perdomo scored on a sac fly by Smith
- Ryne Nelson pitching line: 5.2IP 1H 1R (earned) 2BB 4K 83 pitches (51 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 7th as Kirk whacked a solo blast to the opposite field in right and into the Diamondbacks bullpen
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 8th as Jonatan Clase hammered a solo bomb to the second deck in right
- Three batters later. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled scoring Addison Barger. Dbacks ,LF, and ex-Blue Jay, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was charged with a throwing error on the play
- A batter later, Kirk doubled home Guerrero Jr.
- Final score: Diamondbacks 9 Blue Jays 5
My Take:
- Kevin Gausman was lit up for 7 runs on 7 hits while walking 3 and striking out 4. As is the case when he struggles, location and command was an issue and the Diamondbacks took full advatage. He actually retired the first 4 batters he faced before issuing a walk to ex-Blue Jay Randal Grichuk. The Dbacks took him deep twice for 4 of the 7 runs he gave up. His next start in Cleveland won't be any easier either.
- The bullpen gave up a pair of runs on 2 hits while walking 2 and striking out 4 over the last 4.2 innings. Braydon Fisher was the only reliever to retire every batter he faced
- Alejandro Kirk drove the offence today, homering twice and driving in a third run. He was the only Blue Jay to get a hit off Diamondbacks starter Ryne Nelson. Vlad drove in a run and scored a run
- The Blue Jays were 1-1 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the White Sox come to town for a weekend series. The Blue Jays won 5 of the 6 games in the season series last year, outscoring the White Sox 33-14
