| Davis Schneider drove in a pair of runs in a 7-2 loss to the Brewers |
After an off-day yesterday, the Blue Jays continued the road trip as they welcomed the Milwaukee Brewers to town. The Brewers took the season series last year and both teams scored 8 runs. Shane Bieber got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. The rest of the lineup was the same as Wednesday's wild comeback win. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 2 games? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Brewers opened the scoring in the top of the 6th as Andruw Monasterio whacked a solo blast to left
- Three batters later, Andrew Vaughn singled scoring Brice Turang
- Two batters later, Caleb Durbin singled scoring Christian Yelich
- A batter later, Isaac Collins doubled home Vaughn and Durbin
- Shane Bieber pitching line: 5.1IP 5H 2R (both earned) 0BB 92 pitches (59 for strikes)
- The Brewers added a run in in the top of the 7th on a ground out by Yelich that scored Turang
- A batter later, Vaughn singled scoring William Contreras
- Freddy Peralta pitching line: 6IP 1H 0R 1BB 8K 95 pitches (62 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom held of the inning as Davis Schneider singled scoring Bo Bichette and Myles Straw
- Final score: Brewers 7 Blue Jays 2
My Take:
- Shane Bieber threw 5.1 solid innings, allowing a pair of runs on 5 hits while walking none and striking out 6. He struck out the side in the 1st inning and had an out streak of 9 batters. There is just one pitch he'll want back (the one he threw to Andruw Monasterio that left the ballpark). Unfortunately, the bullpen couldn't get out of the inning/
- A large part of the blame for this loss goes to a bullpen that has been brutal lately. Brandon Little and Louis Varland combined to allow 4 runs in the 6th inning after Shane Bieber left the game with one out in that inning. Little has been walking too many batters. As a reliever, you have to come in throwing strikes, Varland managed to escape the inning, but not before giving up a pair of base hits that plated 3 more runs. A lot of fans want to see Varland in the closer's role, but he's been as shaky as Jeff Hoffman lately. Justin Bruihl gave up 2 more runs in the 7th inning to put the game out of reach. None of the relievers retired every batter they faced.
- The offense was stymied for most of the game, and looked like they might rally in the 8th, but only managed to score twice on a clutch Davis Schneider single off a lefty reliever. Bo Bichette was the only Blue Jays batter to reach base multiple times
- Fans and Daulton Varsho were breathing a sigh of relief that x-rays on Daulton Varsho's hand were negative, after the Blue Jays outfielder was drilled on the right hand/pinky finger by a fastball in the 7th inning. He was in a ton of pain and obviously frustrated after missing the first month of the season recovering from off-season shoulder surgery then missing more time after pulling his hamstring running the bases a month later. He'll likely miss a few days at least here, but it could have been much worse.
- The Blue Jays got bad news on Yimi Garcia, who will undergo season-ending surgery on his pitching elbow to clean some things up. The Blue Jays could have used him in the bullpen, but it was best to get the surgery done now so he's at full strength come spring training.
- It was a mixed bag standings wise. The Red Sox lost their game, but the Yankees prevailed in their game and both teams are 3.5 games back of the Blue Jays for 1st in the AL East. The Blue Jays have a tougher schedule.
- The Blue Jays were 1-5 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to avoid their 15th series loss and 4th season series loss. Kevin Gausman starts against Brewers righty Quinn Priester.
