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| Daulton Varsho drove in 3 runs and scored twice in a 5-2 victory over the Marlins |
After an off-day/travel day yesterday, the Blue Jays continued the road trip in Miami. The Marlins swept the season series last year, outscoring the Blue Jays 26-7. Shane Bieber made his Blue Jays debut, coming off the 60 day IL due to tommy John surgery (Braydon Fisher was optioned to AAA-ball) with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad remained out of the lineup with a sore hamstring. Nathan Lukes was in LF and Addison Barger was in RF. Ernie Clement wa(s at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays start the wcekend with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Daulton Varsho doubled scoring Bo Bichette
- A batter later, Ty France singled home Alejandro Kirk and Varsho
- The Marlins got one back in the bottom of the 2nd as Javier Sanoja belted a solo jack to left-center
- The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the top of the 6th as Varsho hammered a 2-run bomb to right-center; also scoring Kirk
- Ryan Gusto pitching line: 6IP 7H 5R (all earned) 1BB 0K 90 pitches (60 for strikes)
- Shane Bieber pitching line: 6IP 2H 1R (earned) 0BB 9K 87 pitches (55 for strikes)
- The Marlins got one back in the bottom of the 8th as Maximo Acosta hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- Jeff Hoffman pitched a scoreless 9th for his 28th save of the season
- Final score: Blue Jays 5 Marlins 2
My Take:
- Shane Bieber was excellent in his Blue Jays debut, and first big league game since April 2, 2024, firing 6 strong innings, giving up a run on 2 hits, while walking none and striking out 9. Bieber made one mistake in the 2nd inning that went over the wall for a home run and retired 11 in a row after that mistake. The Blue Jays couldn't have asked for anything more. He looks like a steal a the moment, even if he is only a Blue Jay for a couple of months
- The bullpen gave up a run on 2 hits while walking 2 and striking out 2 over the last 3 innings. Brandon Little retired every batter he faced.
- Daulton Varsho (3RBI, including a 2-run HR, 2 runs scored) and Ty France drove the offence today.
- Every Blue Jays starter except Nathan Lukes and Andre Gimenez reached base at least once and all but Lukes, Gimenez and Ernie Clement had at least one hit
- The Blue Jays were 2-3 with runners in scoring position
- The Red Sox, Astros and Tigers all won today, meaning the Blue Jays have a 5 game lead over the Red Sox and 5.5 game lead over the Yankees for first in the AL East. They have a 4 game cushion over the Astros for the 3rd division leader spot, which would mean a bye into the divisional round and home field advantage through at least the ALDS. They are 2 games back of the Tigers for best record in the entire MLB and home field advatage through the world series.
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streaak to 2 games and notch their 21st series win and 16th season series win of the season. Ace Jose Berrios starts against Marlins righty Janson Junk
