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| Daulton Varsho hit a 3-run HR in a 5-3 loss to the Marlins |
After eking out a win yesterday thanks to a clutch base hit and some heads up defense from Bo Bichette, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 3 games and complete their 10th series sweep and 6th season series sweep of the season. Mason Fluharty was optioned to AAA-ball and Paxton Schultz was recalled from AAA-ball. Kevin Gausman got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. Davis Schneider was in LF and Nathan Lukes was in RF. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 3 games and complete their 10th series sweep and 6th season series sweep of the season? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Marlins opened the scoring in the bottom of the 3rd as Eric Wagaman hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- The Marlins added 3 runs in the bottom of the 5th as Jakob Marsee tripled scoring Wagaman, Javier Sanoja and Xavier Edwards
- The Blue Jays got 3 back in the top of the 7th as Daulton Varsho hammered a 3-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Ty France and Bo Bichette
- Eury Perez pitching line: 6IP 3H 2R (both earned) 1BB 4K 94 pitches (62 for strikes)
- Kevin Gausman pitching line: 6IP 7H 4R (all earned) 1BB 7K 94 pitches (65 for strikes)
- The Marlins added a run in the bottom half of the inning as Agustin Ramirez singled scoring Marsee
- Tyler Phillips pitched a perfect 9th for his 2nd save of the season
- Final score: Marlins 5 Blue Jays 3
My Take:
- Kevin Gausman battled through 6 innings, giving up 4 runs on 7 hits while walking 1 and striking out 7. It was the bottom of the order that gave him the most trouble today with number 8 hitter Eric Wagaman taking Gausman deep. Wagaman and Blue Jays killer Javier Sanoja getting on in the 5th, along with leadoff man Xavier Edwards for Jakob Marsee to bring them all home to add three runs. Gausman has a tendency to be inconsistent, which could be a concern come playoff time where you need to limit the runs against.
- The bullpen gave up a run on 3 hits while walking 1 and striking out 1 over the last 2 innings. It was unfortunate timing that Yariel Rodrigueze ceded a run after the Blue Jays scored 3 runs in the top half of the inning. Most of the relievers have been struggling this month, which could be a sign of overuse catching up on them. It's possible Alek Manoah could be a long man out of the bullpen come September. The closer's role will be Jeff Hoffman's through the postseason. The Blue Jays just don't have any options that are reliable enough, other than Yimi Garcia, who may not be an optom as he deals with ulnar nerve impingement
- Daulton Varsho brought the Blue Jays close with a 3-run bomb in the 7th and Vlad came up with a chance give the Blue Jays the lead in the 8th, but popped out to end the inning. Bo Bichette was the only Blue Jay to reach base multiple times.
- The Blue Jays were 1-4 with runners in scoring position
- Standings wise, the Yankees and Red Sox both gained a half game in the standings with the loss and one will gain a further half game later tonight when the Bosox and Yankees face off tonight in the Bronx. The Red Sox could be as few as 4 games back of the Blue Jays for 1st in the AL East. If the Yankees prevail tonight, they'll be 5.5 games back for 1st in the AL East. Both the Tigers and Astros lost, keeping the Blue Jays 4 games up on the Astros for the 2nd bye into the ALDS and 2 games back of the Tigers for 1st in the AL and home field advantage through at least the ALCS.
- Up next, the Blue Jays return home to begin a week long homestand, starting tomorrow against the Twins. The Blue Jays took the series in Minnesota back at the beginning of June with both teams scoring 14 runs. Max Scherzer starts against Twins righty Joe Ryan.
