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| Bo Bichette hit a 2-run home run in a losing effort as the Reds came from behind to walk off the Blue Jays 5-4 |
After salvaging a game to avoid a sweep yesterday thanks to an 8-run output from the offence and the bullpen holding it together, the Blue Jays kicked off a week long road trip with a labour day matinee in Cincinatti. The Reds won the season series last year with both teams scoring 20 runs. Isiah Kiner-Falefah, claimed off waivers yesterday is the September position player call-up. Dillon Tate is the 14th pitcher. Nick Sandlin was moved to the 60-day IL to make room on the roster for him. Chris Bassitt got the start wuth Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Daulton Varsho was back in the lineup and in CF after missing a couple of days with a sore hand after getting drilled by a fastball. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 2 games? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Reds opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Ke'Bryan Hayes doubled scoring Gavin Lux and Sal Stewart
- The Blue Keys got one back in the top of the 7th as Alejandro Kirk singled scoring Bo Bichette
- Hunter Greene pitching line: 6.1IP 5H 1R (earned) 1BB 7K 101 pitches (77 for strikes)
- Chris Bassitt pitching line: 6IP 5H 2R (both earned) 2BB 6K 107 pitches (63 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 9th as Bichette whacked a 2-run blast to the opposite field in right-center; also scoring Myles Straw
- A batter later, Daulton Varsho belted a solo jack to right
- The Reds got one back on a ground rule double by TJ Friedl that scored Hayes
- A batter later, Noelvi singled scoring Matt McLain and Friedl
- Final score: Reds 5 Blue Jays 4
My Take:
- Chris Bassitt battled through 6 innings, giving up a pair of runs on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6. Pretty gutsy of him to go out for the 6th and 7th innings when he either had a blister or cut on his finger. It also says a lot about the trust John Schneider and Co have on the bullpen. After giving up the 2-run double in the 2nd inning, Bassitt beared down and retired seven straight Reds hitters.
- Too bad the bullpen couldn't come through. Tommy Nance got that big high-leverage situation he deserved and promptly gave up hits to two of the batters he faced. Brandon Little was then given the opportunity to redeem himself, but could not retire either batter he faced and got fortunate it wasn't a tie ball game after the first batter when the call was overturned to a ground-rule double. This has to be the end of Little, whose confidence is shattered beyond repair. If the bullpen doesn't sort itself out soon, the Blue Jays could miss the playoffs entirely with the tough September schedule they face and that should lead to the firing of both John Schneider and Pete Walker.
- The bats came through in the 9th, led by Bo Bichette, who is about to receive a massive payday in the off-season, who went deep to the opposite field in right-center to give the Blue Jays their first lead of the game. He would also score the teams 1st run of the game in the 7th inning. Daulton Varsho also went deep despite a sore hand to give the Blue Jays a 2-run cushion. The Blue Jays need Addison Barger's bat to heat up again, and some production from the bottom of the lineup, which was a combined 0-11 on the day.
- The Blue Jays were 1-7 with runners in scoring position
- The Bosox won their labour day matinee, bringing them within 2.5 games back of the Blue Jays for 1st in the AL East. The idle Yankees also gained a half game in the standings and are also 2.5 games back of 1st in the AL East
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to even the series and avoid their 17th series loss and 6th season series loss. Ace Jose Berrios starts against Reds lefty Nick Lodolo
