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| Patrick Corbin threw 5 solid innings in a 2-1 victory over the Orioles |
After eking out a win yesterday thanks to Kazuma Okamoto going deep, the Blue Jays were looking extend the win streak to 3 games as they started a road trip in Baltimore against old friend Chris Bassitt. -The Blue Jays took the season series last year 7-6, but the Orioles outscored the Blue Jays 80-70. Lenyn Sosa was placed on the 10-day IL with a wrist contusion and Chase Lee was optioned to AAA-ball. Charles McAdoo had his contract selected to the MLB roster. Righty Lazio Estrada was transferred to the 60-Day IL. Patrick Corbin got the start with Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate. Nathan Lukes got the start in LF. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 3 games? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 3rd as Andres Gimenez belted a solo jack to right-center
- The Orioles tied it in the bottom of the 5th as Coby Mayo hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- Patrick Corbin pitching line: 5IP 4H 1R (earned) 1BB 4K 80 pitches (49 for strikes)
- Chris Bassitt pitching line: IP 4H 1R (earned) 1BB 2K 80 pitches (48 for strikes)\
- The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 8th on a bases loaded walk to Yohendrick Pinago that forced in George Springer
- Louis Varland got the last 4 outs for his 8th save of the season
- Final score: Blue Jays 2 Orioles 1
My Take:
- It was a pretty even pitcher's duel to start this important series with both Chris Bassitt and Patrick Corbin allowing a run on 4 hits while walking 1. Bassitt went an extra inning. Corbin threw an extra strike (49 vs. 48 for Bassitt; both threw 80 pitches) and got double the number of strikeouts (4 for Corbin and 2 for Bassitt. Corbin continues to give the Blue Jays a chance to win mostly every night - a great pickup by Ross Atkins
- The bullpen held the Orioles to 4 hits while walking none and striking out 4 over the last 4 innings. Oh boy, here's hoping Tyler Rogers isn't down more than a day or 2 after taking a comebacker off the ankle. The Blue Jays practically have a full roster on the IL already and Yimi Garcia, Joe Mantiply (who now needs athroscopic surgery on his knee, and Tommy Nance aren't close to returning. Louis Varland and Jeff Hoffman will have more on their shoulders while Rogers is down. Jeff Hoffman was credited with the win.
- When the offence isn't going consistently, you need to find other ways to manufacture runs. Tonight, the Blue Jays won on a bases loaded walk in the 8th inning. Andres Gimenez also moved into a tie for 2nd on the team in home runs by going deep for the 6th time this season. Some of the guys who were raking last season like Ernie Clement, Vlad, George Springer and Daulton Varsho need to get the bats going soon, the calendar turns to June on Monday.
- Neither of the catchers were successful on ABS challenges with Adley Rutschmann going 0-2 and Brandon Valenzuela 0-1. At least Valenzuela was able to come up with a massive pick off to end the 8th inning
- The Blue Jays were 0-6 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 4 games. Lefty Trevor Rogers starts for the Orioles tonight. The Blue Jays haven't decided who will make the spot start for Dylan Cease, who's on the IL with a hamstring issue. It'll likely be one of Austin Voth or Chad Dallas. John Schneider indicated earlier this week the spot start will likely be handled as a traditional start as opposed to an opener followed by a bulk reliever. The Blue Jays have a chance to get back to .500 for the first time since April 3rd.
