| Jose Berrios threww 7.2 strong innings in a 7-1 victory over the White Sox |
After a brutal loss due to a failed bullpen day, the Blue Jays were looking to snap the 2-game skid, even the series and avoid their 10th series loss of the season. Addison Barger was a late scratch due to some hip soreness. Nathan Lukes took his place in RF. Ace Jose Berrios got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Davis Schneider got the start in LF. Could the Blue Jays snap the 2-game skid, even the series and avoid their 10th series loss of the season? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Bo Bichette led off with a solo bomb to dead center
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 2nd as Ernie Clement singled scoring George Springer. White Sox RF Austin Slater was charged with a throwing error on the play
- Two batters later, Davis Schneider singled scoring Clement
- Three batters later, Nathan Lukes singled home Schneider
- The White Sox got one back in the top of the 6th on a fielder's choice hit by Miguel Vargas that scored Andrew Benintendi. Vladimir Guerrero Jr was charged with a throwing error on the play
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 7th as Guerrero Jr belted a solo jack to left-center
- Jose Berrios pitching line: 7.2IP 2H 1R (unearned) 3BB 5K 98 pitches (58 for strikes)
- Aaron Civale pitching line: 7IP 9H 5R (all earned) 1BB 2K 96 pitches (64 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 8th as Schneider doubled scoring Springer and Clement
- Final score: Blue Jays 7 White Sox 1
My Take:
- Jose Berrios fired 7.2 outstanding innings, giving up one unearned run on 3 hits while walking 3 and striking out 5. He entered the 7th inning having thrown just 72 pitches. That is efficient pitching! The Blue jays badly needed Berrios to pitch as far as he did with the uncertainty around Max Scherzer, who had his side session pushed back a day with his troublesome thumb barking at him, and a scheduled bullpen day midweek, and not to mention that Kevin Gausman has been struggling lately. Plus, after Monday's off day, the Blue Jays play 16 straight days, barring rainouts, through July 9th. It's imperative that the Blue Jays starters do their part and pitch deep into games.
- The bullpen was perfect in the last 1.1 innings and Chad Green needed just 12 pitches to get through the 9th inning.
- Talk about taking advantage of an opportunity. Davis Schneider was a late addition to the lineup after Addison Barger was scratched with some hip soreness. Schneider promptly drove in 3 runs and scored one himself. Vlad and Bo Bichette, who has shown more power this season, went deep. Those late 3 insurance runs allowed the pitchers to pitch with a bit less pressure.
- Every Blue Jays stsarter except Andres Gimenez had a hit and all but Gimenez, Myles Straw and Alejandro Kirk either scored a run or drove in a run
- The Blue Jays were 3-10 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 13th series win of the season. Chris Bassitt starts against White Sox righty Adrian Houser
