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| Andres Gimenez drove in the Blue Jays only run in a 4-1 loss to the Dodgers |
After a brutal blowout loss to the Dodgers after the bullpen imploded and the offense did next to nothing, the Blue Jays were looking to snap the 5-game skid and avoid their 3rd series loss of the season. Lefty Patrick Corbin was activated from A-ball and lefty Josh Fleming was DFA'd. Addison Barger was placed on the 10-day IL with an ankle sprain and infielder Tyler Fitzgerald was recalled from AAA-ball. Alejandro Kirk had a screw placed in his thumb and is expected to miss 6 weeks. Cody Ponce could be done for the year after ACL surgery next week. Kevin Gausman got the start with Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate. Jesus Sanchez was in LF and Nathan Lukes was in RF. Could the Blue Jays snap the 5-game skid and avoid their 3rd series loss of the season? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Dodgers opened the scoring in the top of the 3rd as Shohei Ohtani singled scoring Hyeseong Kim
- Two batters later, Alex Freeland scored on a fielder's choice hit by Will Smith
- The Dodgers added a run in the top of the 5th as Freeland singled home Kim
- John Schneider was ejected in the top of the 5th for arguing a balk call against Kevin Gausman
- Kevin Gausman pitching line: 5.1IP 5H 3R (all earned) 2BB 5K 84 pitches (53 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 6th as George Springer doubled scoring Andres Gimenez
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitching line: 6IP 5H 1R (earned) 1BB 6K 97 pitches (66 for strikes)
- The Dodgers added a run in the top of the 9th as Kyle Tucker singled scoring Freeland
- Edwin Diaz pitched a scoreless 9th for his 4th save of the season
- Final score: Dodgers 4 Blue Jays 1
My Take:
- Kevin Gausman threw 5.1 solid innings, giving up 3 runs on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 5. Other than the 3rd and 5th innings, Gausman held the Dodgers to a leadoff walk in the 1st to Shohei Ohtani. Very nice to see John Schneider defend him on a brutal balk call that eventually allowed the 3rd Dodger run to score. Gausman should be getting some Cy Young votes and early consideration to make the all-star team.
- The bullpen gave up a run on 3 hits while walking 1 and striking out 2. Louis Varland was the only reliever to retire every batter he faced. You simply cannot give up an insurance run to this team, which has shown why they won back-to-back world series.
- The Blue Jays offense continues to sputter. They are just 1-17 with the bases loaded. Myles Straw is the only one hitting over .300 and there are three players hitting below the Mendoza line, or .200 average: George Springer (.159), Daulton Varsho (.171), Nathan Lukes (.118) and Brandon Valenzuela (.143)
- The Blue Jays were 3-12 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 6 game losing streak and avoid being swept for the 2nd consecutive series. Dylan Cease starts against Dodgers righty Shohei Ohtani.
