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| George Springer drove in a pair of runs and scored once as the Blue Jays hung on to edge the Rays |
After yet another comeback win, the Blue Jays were trying to extend the win streak to 6 games. Ace Jose Berrios got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Myles Straw got the start in CF. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 6 games? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Addison Barger singled scoring George Springer
- The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the top of the 2nd as George Springer singled scoring Davis Schneider and Ernie Clement
- Two batters later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled scoring Andres Gimenez
- Ryan Pepiot pitching line: 1.2 IP 4H 4R (all earned) 3BB 3K 49 pitches (29 for strikes)
- The Rays got three back on a very controversial 3-run blast to right-center by Brandon Lowe that scored Chandler Simpson and Yandy Diaz. A fan clearly reached over the bleachers and took a catch away from Nathan Lukes. The explanation by the umpire that it would have been a home run anyway is ludicrous since Lukes looked like he was about to make a play he has made time and time again. As soon as a fan reaches over and touches the ball, the play should be dead and there is no way a home run should be awarded on the play.
- The Blue Jays appeared to get a make up call in the top of the 4th when Lukes was awarded a solo home run on a ball ht to a similar location. This time, the umpires overturned the original call
- The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 5th as Joey Loperfido belted a solo jack to right - a no-doubter this time
- Jose Berrios pitching line: 4IP 4H 3R (all earned) 2BB 0K 78pitches (46 for strikes)
- The Rays got one back in the bottom of the 8th as Tristan Gray singled scoring Josh Lowe
- The Rays got one back in the bottom of the 9th as Brandon Lowe singled scoring Simpson
- Jeff Hoffman got the last 3 outs for his 31st save of the season
- Final score: Blue Jays 6 Rays 5
My Take:
- Jose Berrios battled through 4 inningsm giving up 3 runs, albeit on a very controversial home run that should have been ruled fan intereference, on 4 hits while walking 2 and striking out none. Controversial home run aside, Berrios is picking an awful time to slump. He has been very hittable lately and very inefficient. He was at 61 pitches with outs still to get in the 3rd inning. At this point, he looks like he will be the odd starter out of the playoff rotation and there may not even be a role for him in the bullpen either.
- Speaking of the bullpen, it gave up 2 runs on 6 hits while walking 4 and striking out 8 over the last 5 innings. If there is any facet of the team that will lead to a quick exit, it will be the bullpen, which has been leaking runs at the wrong time of the year. There has to be big concerns about the health of closer Jeff Hoffman, whose velocity has dipped and he has been getting hit hard. He managed to save today's game, but not before giving up a walk and a hit to put the game-tying run in scoring position.
- Offensively, the bats came alive early with George Springer, Vlad and Addison Barger knocking in runs to put the Blue Jays up by 4. Nathan Lukes got a little vengeance in the 4th inning with a call overturned into a home run after being robbed of an obvious fan intereference call that was definitely not going to be a home run anyway and very likely would have been caught by Lukes. Joey Loperfido also went deep.
- What is the point of having instant replay if the umpires are going to make up some excuse to keep a home run call? It's shameful and quite frankly the umpires should be held accontable when they blow a call that could impact the outcome of a game. Don't even get me started on the strike and ball calls that the umpires frequently screw up. This is why by next year, games will be called by robo umps.
- The Blue Jays were 3-10 with runners in scoring position
- Standings wise, the Blue Jays are now three games better than the Tigers for the best record in the AL and home field advantage through the ALCS. The Yankees remain 5 games back of the Blue Jays fot 1st in the AL East.
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 7 games and notch their 27th series win of the season and 1st series win against the Rays this season. Kevin Gausman starts against Rays lefty Ian Seymour
