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| Ace Kevin Gausman threw 6.2 strong innings in a 6-2 comeback win over the Pirates |
After eking out win yesterday thanks to some fine work from the bullpen to escape NY with a series split, the Blue Jays opened a week long home stand against the Pirates, who won the seson series last year, outscoring the Blue Jays with both teams scoring 10 runs. Ace Kevin Gausman got the start with Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate. Yohendrick Pinago was in LF and Jesus Sa nchez was in RF. Andres Gimenez was back at SS with Ernie Clement getting the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 3 games? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Pirates opened the scoring in the top of the 1st on a sac fly by Spencer Horwitz that scored Brandon Lowe
- The Blue Jays tied it in the bottom of the 3rd on a throwing error by Horwitz on a fielder's choice hit by Daulton Varsho that scored George Springer
- Two batters later, Yohendrick Pinago doubled scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr and Varsho
- Bubba Chandler pitching line: 5IP 2H 3R (1 earned) 2BB 11K 99 pitches (63 for strikes)
- Kevin Gausman pitching line: 6.2IP 6H 1R (earned) 1BB 8K 94 pitches (65 for strikes)
- The Pirates got one back in the top of the 8th on a ground out hit by Bryan Reynolds that scored Lowe
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom half of the inning as Jesus Sanchez doubled scoring Ernie Clement\
- Three batters later, Myles Straw and Brandon Valenzuela scored on a ground-rule double by George Springer
- Louis Varland pithed 2 perfect innings for his 7th save of the season
- Final score: Blue Jays 6 Pirates 2
My Take:
- Kevin Gausman fired 6.2 strong shutout innings. This was vintage Kevin Gausman. The veteran ace racked up thr strikes while also needing an efficient 94 pitches to get 20 outs. He'll be relied on to go deep in games with the Blue Jays expected to be extremely cautious with Trey Yesavage and Shane Bieber. Max Scherzer also can't be relied on to go deep in games either due to age and injury.
- The bullpen gave up a run on a hit while walking 1 and striking out 3. Louis Varland did a fantastic job bailing out Mason Fluharty.
- The offense had a good night. George Springer drove in a pair on a ground rule double and Yohendrick Pinago drove in a pair. There's no way Pinago should be optioned over Davis Schneider
- The Pirates were 0-2 on ABS challnges and Brandon Valenzuela was 1-1 on ABS challenges
- The Blue Jays were 3-14 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the winning streak to 4 games and to notch their 7th series win of the season. Patrick Corbin starts against Pirates ace and righty Paul Skenes
