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| Nathan Lukes drove in 2 runs and scored once in a 10-3 loss to the Mariners. He was only credited with one RBI due to a throwing error by Mariners 1B Josh Naylor on the first ron of the day. |
After dropping the opener of the ALCS due to the bullpen blowing the save and the inept offence mustering two hits, one being a leadoff HR, the Blue Jays were looking to even the series. Trey Yesavage got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Anthony Santander was a late scratch with back tightness and Davis Schneider took his place in LF. Could the Blue Jays even the series? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Mariners opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Julio Rodriguez belted a 3-run jack to the second deck in left; also scoring Randy Arozarena and Cal Raleigh
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Nathan Lukes singled scoring George Springer
- Three batters later, Alejandro Kirk singled home Lukes
- The Blue Jays tied it in the bottom of the 2nd as Lukes singled scoring Springer
- Logan Gilbert pitching line: 3IP 5H 3R (2 earned) 1BB 2K 58 pitches (39 for strikes)
- The Mariners took the lead in the top of the 5th as Jorge Polanco hammered a 3-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Arozarena and Raleigh
- Trey Yesavage pitching line: 4IP 4H 5R (all earned) 3BB 4K 70 pitches (43 for strikes)
- The Mariners added a run in the top of the 6th as JP Crawford singled Leo Rivas
- The Mariners added a pair of runs in the top of the 7th as Josh Naylor smashed a 2-run blast to right; also scoring Polanco
- The Mariners added a run in the top of the 7th on a sac fly by Crawford that scored Eugenio Suarez
- Final score: Mariners 10 Blue Jays 2
My Take:
- Trey Yesavage battled through 4 innings, giving up 5 runs on 4 hits while walking 3 and striking out 4. He had a tough start to the game, falling behind by three before recording an out after hitting the first batter he faced, pitching around Cal Raleigh and giving up a no-doubter to Julio Rodriguez. He did retire 6 in a row at one point. Same situation happened as last night where the Mariners took the lead immediately after Yesavage left the game. Unfortunate since it tacked two more runs onto Yesavage's pitching line
- The bullpen gave up a further 5 runs (technically 7 if you count the two charged to starter Trey Yesavage on the 3-run HR given up by Louis Varland, who was the first reliever out of the bullpen tonight. Chris Bassitt was the only reliever to retire every batter he faced. If the Blue Jays are eliminated in a sweep, very plausible with how the series is going, Pete Walker should be the scapegoat. It is very troubling that the pitchers continue to give up home runs. The pitching is the weak link this year. It's hard to come back in the playoffs and a 7-run deficit is virtually insurmountable.
- Offensively, the bats have gone cold at the worst possible time. Nathan Lukes drove in 2 of the 3 runs. Alejandro Kirk drove in Lukes for the other run,
- Time to swich up the lineup. Bring Myles Straw in at the very least.
- The Blue Jays were 3-10 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap a 2-game skid as they face a daunting task where they must win 4 of the next 5 games and at least 2 of 3 in Seattle. Shane Bieber starts against Mariners righty George Kirby
