| Addison Barger drove in 4 runs, including a 2-run HR in a 13-9 comeback win over the Reds |
After hanging on for the win yesterday, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 25th series win and 17th season series win of the season. Shane Bieber got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Ty France at 1B. George Springer was in LF and Addison Barger was in RF. Ernie Clement was back at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 25th series win and 17th season series win of the season? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Reds opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Jose Trevino singled scoring Gavin Lux and Spencer Steer
- A batter later, Matt McLain singled scoring Ke'Bryan Hayes
- Two batters later, Noelvi Marte doubled scoring Trevino and McLaiin
- The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 3rd as George Springer hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 4th as Daulton Varsho smacked a solo blast to right-center
- A batter later, Alejandro Kirk drilled a solo jack to straightaway center
- The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the top of the 5th as Addison Barger belted a 2-run jack to right-center; also scoring Springer
- A batter later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. smacked a solo blast to left-center
- Zack Littell pitching line: 4.1IP 7H 5R (all earned) 1BB 6K 88 pitches (55 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 6th on a sac fly by Barger that scored Ty France
- The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 7th on a sac fly by France that scored Varsho
- Shane Bieber pitching line: 6IP 5H 5R (all earned) 2BB 6K 98 pitches (62 for strikes)
- The Reds got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Marte singled scoring McLain
- The Blue Jays added a run in the op of the 8th as Barger singled scoring Ernie Clement
- Two batters later, Springer scored on a throwing error by Steer on a ball hiy by Bo Bichette
- A batter later, Myles Straw scored on a sac fly by Varsho
- A batter after that, France singled scoring Guerrero Jr.
- The Reds got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Steer doubled scoring Lux
- Two batters later, Will Benson doubled home Steer
- A batter later, McLain doubled scoring Benson
- The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 9th as Guerrero Jr. doubled scoring Clement
- Final score: Blue Jays 13 Reds 9
- Shane Bieber battled through 6 innings, giving up 5 runs on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6. He was roughed up in the 2nd inning to the tune of 5 runs on 5 hits and a walk. He settled right down and retired 12 of the last 13 batters he faced, including 10 straight batters. Bieber faced the minimum those 4 innings. This is why John Schneider needs to trust his starters to work out of jams and pitch deeper in games.
- The bullpen gave up 5 runs on 4 hits while walking 2 and striking out 2 over the last 3 innings. Louis Varland continues to try and find his game. Tonight, he allowed 3 runs on 4 hits. Brandon Little struck out the only batter he faced, which is encouraging but need to see more of that. Jeff Hoffman retired every batter he faced, but next series will be a stiffer test.
- Offensively, the bats came up big, led by George Springer (3 runs scored, including a solo HR), Vlad (2RBI, 2 runs scored, including a solo HR), Addison Barger (4 RBI, including 2-run HR), Daulton Varsho (2RBI, 2 runs scored, including a solo HR), Alejandro Kirk (RBI, run scored), and Ty France (2RBI, run scored)
- Every Blue Jays starter reached base at least once and all but Bichette had a hit. All but Bichette and Ernie Clement either drove in a run or scored a run
- The Blue Jays were 3-10 with runners in scoring position
- Standings wise, the Red Sox and Yankees both lost, meaning both AL East rivals are 3.5 games back of the Blue Jays for 1st in the AL East. If the Yankees win their game tomorrow, they will be 3 games back of the Blue Jays heading into the weekend series between the Blue Jays and Yankees. If that happens, the Yankees could draw even with a series sweep on the weekend. The Blue Jays would win the division if the two teams are tied at the end of the regular season since the Blue Jays have clinched the season series against the Yankees.
- Up next, after an off-day/travel day tomorrow, the Yankees and Blue Jays open a crucial weekend series in the Bronx. The Blue Jays won 7 of the first 10 games in the season series, outscoring the Yankees 59-51. Kevin Gausman starts for the Blue Jays Friday. The Yankees haven't set their rotation for the series yet.
