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| Nathan Lukes scored twice and drove in two runs in a 10-4 win over the Twins |
After dropping yesterday's game against the Marlins due to a tough start from Kevin Gausman, the Blue Jays began a weeklong homestand as they welcomed the Twins to town. The Blue Jays took the series in Minnesota back at the beginning of June with both teams scoring 14 runs. Righty Paxson Schultz was optioned to AAA-ball and lefty Justin Bruihl was recalled from AAA-ball. Max Scherzer got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad made his return to the lineup as DH as he slowly returns from a sore hamstring. George Springer was in LF. Could the Blue Jays start the week and homestand with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Bo Bichette singled scoring George Springer
- A batter later, Nathan Lukes scored on a sac fly by Daulton Varsho
- A batter after that, Alejandro Kirk whacked a 2-run blast to the opposite field in right-center; also scoring Bichette
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 2nd as Andres Gimenez belted a solo jack to right-center
- The Twins got one back in the top of the 4th as Matt Wallner hammered a solo bomb to right-center
- The Blue jays added a run in the bottom half of the inning as Springe singled scoring Gimenez
- The Twins got one back in the top of the 6th on a ground out hit by Brooks Lee that scored Byron Buxton
- A batter later, Wallner smacked a 2-run blast to right and into the Twins bullpen; also scoring Trevor Larnach
- Joe Ryan pitching line: 5IP 7H 6R (all earned) 1BB 7K 93 pitches (62 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning as Lukes doubled scoring Kirk and Ernie clement
- A batter later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled scoring Gimenez and Lukes
- Max Scherzer pitching line: 6IP 4H 4R (all earned) 1BB 5K 97 pitches (67 for strikes)
- Final score: Blue Jays 10 Twins 4
My Take:
- Max Scherzer battled through 6 innings, giving up 4 runs on 4 hits while walking 1 and striking out 5. He retired 12 of the 1st 14 batters he faced. The left-handed batters were having better swings on Scherzer today. One issue that has hampered the pitching staff has been home runs. Twins RF Matt Wallner took him deep twice.
- The bullpen gave up a hit and 2 walks over 3 scoreless innings. Justin Bruihl gave the Blue Jays a bit of a scare when he rolled his ankle on a pitch in the 8th. Luckily he was able to complete the inning. Hopefully it doesn't swell up on him overnight because the Blue Jays can ill afford to lose a reliever with Yimi Garcia and Nick Sandolin both suffering setbacks as they try to ramp back up. Garcia may be done for the season with the ulnar nerve issue. Sandlin is also a concern since his elbow is hurting throwing at 120 feet.
- Offensively, the Blue Jays jumped on Twins starter Joe Ryan, scoring 5 times over the first 2 innings. I really like that the bats reponded in the 6th inning with 4 runs after the Twins clawed back with 3 runs in the top half of the inning. Nathan Lukes (2 runs scored, 2 RBI), Alejandro Kirk (2 runs scored, including a 2-run HR) and Andres Gimenez (3 runs scored, including a solo HR) led the way.
- Every Blue Jays starter except Ty France reached base at least once and all but France and Daulton Varsho had at least one hit
- Standings wise, the Blue Jays remain 5 and 5.5 games up on the Red Sox and Yankees, who both won their games tonight, respectively. They gain a half game on the idle Astros for the 2nd bye to the divisional round. Should the Tigers lose, they'll be just a game back for the best record in the AL and home field advantage through the ALCS.
- The Blue Jays were 4-10 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 23rd series win and 17th season series win of the season. Chris Bassitt starts against Twins righty Bailey Ober.
