| George Springer scored 4 times, including a pair of home runs in a losing effort as the Twins came from behind to defeat the Blue Jays 7-5 |
After a solid win over the Twins lsst night thanks to a team effort offensively, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 23rd series win and 17th season series win of the season. Chris Bassitt got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Nathan Lukes was in CF and Addison Barger was in RF. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 23rd series win and 17th season series win of the season? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st on a sack fly by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. that scored George Springer
- Three batters later, Bo Bichette singled scoring Nathan Lukes
- The Blue jays added a run in the bottom of the 2nd as Springer hammered a solo bomb to the second deck in left-center
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 5th as Springer hammered a solo bomb to the second deck in left-center
- The Twins got a pair back in the top of the 6th as Luke Keaschell whacked a 2-run blast to left-center; also scoring Brooks Lee
- Bailey Ober pitching line: 5IP 10H 4R (all earned) 0BB 3K 96 pitches (65 for strikes)
- Chris Bassitt pitching line: 5.2IP 4H 2R (both earned) 3BB 6K 93 pitches (59 for strikes)
- The Twins got one back in the top of the 7th on a sac fly double play hit by Lee that scored Mickey Gasper
- The Twins tied it in the top of the 9th as Gasper belted a solo jack to right
- Five batters later, Matt Wallner whacked a 3-run blast to right-center and into the Twins bullpen; also scoring Austin Martin and Lee
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Daulton Varsho doubled scoring Springer
- Final score: Twins 7 Blue Jays 5
My Take:-
- Chris Bassit threw 5.2 solid innings, giving up a pair of runs on 4 hits while walking 3 and striking out 6. After allowing the first two he faced to reach base, Bassitt recovered to strike out the side and retire nine straight. There is really only one pitch he'll want back and that's the one that went over the wall to cut the lead in half
- The bullpen gave up 5 runs on 5 hits while walking 3 and striking out 3 over the last 3.1 innings. Jeff Hoffman was a disaster in the 9th, blowing his 7th save of the season. Blue Jays fans booed him off the field when he was pulled after giving up 2 home runs and 4 runs on 25 pitches. He threw more balls than strikes. I don't trust anyone else to be the closer, but maybe Hoffman needs a short IL stint to reset for the postseason.
- George Springer was the Blue Jays offense tonight, scoring 4 times, including 2 mammoth home runs.
- There has to be concern about the sore hands of Ernie Clement and Alejandro Kirk, who took a foul tip off the exposed hand. Danny Jansen broke his hand a few times getting dinged by foul balls. The Blue Jays can ill afford to lose either Kirk or Clement.
- The Blue Jays were 3-10 with runners in scoring position
- With the loss, the Yankees and Red Sox both gained a game on the Blue Jays since they won their games. The Bosox are 4 games back and the Yankees are 4.5 games back of 1st in the AL East
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to notch their 23rd series win and 17th season series win of the season. Eric Lauer starts for the Blue Jays. The Twins haven't named a starter yet.
