Game #68 - Philadelphia Phillies (36-31) @ Toronto Blue Jays (33-35) - game recap

 

Brandon Valenzuela drove in the winning run in a 3-2 comeback walk-off win over the Phillies

After a loss yesterday due to Patrick Corbin imploding, the Blue Jays were looking to even the series and avoid their 9th series loss of the season. Dylan Cease was activated from the 15-day IL (and got the start with Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate) and Adam Macko was optioned to AAA-ball. George Springer got the full day off with Vlad getting the half day off as DH and  Chatles McAdoo at 1B. Jesus Sanchez was in LF, Nathan Lukes was in CF and Yohendrick Pinago was in RF. Could the Blue Jays even the series and avoid their 9th series loss of the season? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Phillies opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Brandon Marsh doubled scoring Trea Turner
• The Blue Jays tied it in the bottom of the 6th as Jesus Sanchez belted a solo jack to right-center
• Dylan Cease pitching line: 6IP 3H 1R (earned) 1BB 11K 93 pitches (60 for strikes)
• Zack Wheeler pitching line: 6IP 6H 1R (earned) 0BB 5K 96 pitches (60 for strikes)
• The Phillies took the lead in the top of the 9th as Bryson Stott doubled scoring Bryce Harper 
• The Blue Jays tied it in the bottom half of the inning on a wild pitch by Jhoan Duran that scored Myles Straw
• Same batter, Brandon Valenzuela singled scoring Daulton Varsho
• Final score: Blue Jays 3 Phillies 2

My Take:

• Dylan Cease fired 6 strong innings, giving up a run on 3 hits while walking 1 and striking out 11. He had out streaks of 7 and 8 batters. Cease has been the Blue Jays best starting pitcher and a great off-season signing by Ross Atkins. He should be considered for the all-star game.
• The bullpen gave up a run on 2 hits while walking 1 and striking out 4 over the last 3 innings. It's amazing how often a leadoff walk comes back to bite a pitcher in the ass. Louis Varland, who should not only be an all-star, he should be the reliever of the year, walked Bryce Harper on 4 pitches to start the 9th, saw him score when Bryson Stott lined a double opposite field. Sometimes you just have to tip your cap to a nice swing on a solid pitch. Mason Fluharty retired every batter he faced
• The offense came through when it mattered with a 2-run rally in the 9th. Brandon Valenzuela will only get credited for one RBI, but he played a huge role in Myles Straw scoring on the wild pitch to tie the game by waving the pinch runner home. Jesus Sanchez took starter Zack Wheeler deep for the other Blue Jays run on the day. Vlad hit leadoff and the move didn't really work with him going 1-4 on the day.
• Harper was successful on the Phillies only ABS challenge while the Blue Jays were 1-1 on ABS challenges
• The Blue Jays were 1-3 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 10th series win of the season. Max Scherzer starts against Phillies lefty Jesus Luzardo

Game #68 Philadelphia Phillies (36-30) v. Toronto Blue Jays (32-35)

 

Game #67 - Philadelphia Phillies (36-30) @ Toronto Blue Jays (32-35) - game recap

 

Ernie Clement hit a solo HR in a 5-2 loss to the Phillies

After a huge win thanks to a 5- run 6th inning rally yesterday, the Blue Jays continued the homestand as they welcomed the Phillies to town. The Phillies won the season series last year, outscoring the Blue Jays 32-20. Tommy Nance was activated off the IL and Yariel Rodriguez was DFA'd. Patrick Corbin got the start with  Tyler Heineman behind the plate. Yohendrick Pinango was in LF and Nathan Lukes was in RF

Game Highlights:

• The Phillies opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Adolis Garcia whacked a 2-run blast to left-center; also scoring Bryson Stott
• The Phillies added a run in the top of the 3rd as Alec Bohm singled scoring Trea Turner
• A batter later, JT Realmuto singled scoring Bryce Harper 
• A batter after that, Brandon Marsh scored on a bases loaded walk to Stott
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning on a ground out hit by Yohendrick Pinago that scored Myles Straw
• Patrick Corbin pitching line: 3IP 4H 5R (all earned) 4BB 3K 79 pitches (44 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays  got one back in the bottom of the 5th as Ernie Clement whacked a solo blast to left-center
• Christopher Sanchez pitching line: 7IP 4H 2R (both earned) 1BB 10K 107 pitches (75 for strikes)
• Jhoan Duran threw a scoreles 9th for his 16th save of the season
• Final score: Phillies 5 Blue Jays 2

My Take:

• Patrick Corbin was lit up for 5 runs on 5 hits while walking 4 and striking out 3 over 3 innings. This is likely his last appearance in a Blue Jays uniforn with Dylan Cease and Max Scherzer both coming off the IL the next 2 days. Corbin did a nice job overall filling in when the Blue Jays were razor thin in the rotation with Jose Berrios, Cody Ponce, Scherzer and Cease all on the IL simultaneously at one point. The Blue Jays won't carry more than 6 starters in the rotation at a time and the bullpen has some long man options in SWR and Spencer Miles.
• The bullpen threw 6 scoreless innings, giving up 3 hits, walking 1 and striking out 5. SWR looked fantastic in his Blue Jays debut (I bet the team was secretly hoping he would crash and burn to give them an easier DFA when they need to open a roster spot. Management is going to have some very difficult choices to make in the coming days as the injured players come back. Maybe there's a reliever, like Trevor Hoffman, who might be playing through an injury they can put on the IL, though he could be DFA'd. Maybe Scherzer retitres if his physical issues creep up again this week. Or the team could option a player who has options left.
• Yohendrick Pinago, another player likely to be optioned, had a very up and down day. He flubbed a fly ball in LF that he should have caught in the 1st inning, knocked in the Blue Jays 1st run in the 3rd inning on a productive ground out and legged out a double into a triple after that liner was misplayed by Adolis Garcia. Ernie Clement went deep in the 5th inning for the Blue Jays other run 
• George Springer and Vlad were a combined 0-8 with 5 strikeouts - not good enough. Vlad takes the most heat being the team's top paid player, getting what Juan Soto, Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge are making but not giving the team the same bang fot the buck. He is still at 3 home runs on the season and all on the road. He'll likely be voted in as an all-star because the starting lineup amounts to a popularity contest at times. Springer isn't much better, barely hitting above the Mendoza line of .200. His resurgance from last season did not continue into this season.
• Tyler Heineman started what could be his last game in a Blue Jays uniform with Alejandro Kirk expected to come off the IL against the Yankees Friday. He was 0-2 today at the plate and did not attempt any ABS challenges. Simply put, rookie catcher Brandon Valenzuela has outplayed him and forced his way to the backup role behind Alejandro Kirk.
• The Phillies were 2-1 on ABS challenges and the Blue Jays did not attempt any ABS challenges
• The Blue Jays were 0-10 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to even the series and avoid their 9th series loss of the season. Dylan Cease starts against Phillies righty Zack Wheeler.

Game #67 Philadelphia Phillies (35-30) v. Toronto Blue Jays (32-34)

 

Game #66 - Baltimore Orioles (31-35) @ Toronto Blue Jays (32-34) - game recap

 

Brandon Valenzuela drove in a pair of runs and scored once in a 6-4 comeback win over the Orioles

After a huge win thanks to Ernie Clement having a huge day at the plate and in the field, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 9th series win of the season. Ace Kevin Gausman got the start with Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate. Yohendrick Pinago was in RF. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 9th series win of the season? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Orioles opened the scoring in the top of the 5th as Colton Cowser smacked a solo blast to right-center and into the Orioles bullpen
• Three batters later, Blaze Alexander doubled scoring Jackson Holliday
• A batter later, Taylor Ward whacked a 2-run blast to left; also scoring Holliday
• Kevin Gausman pitching line 5IP 5H 4R (all earned) 0BB 5K 93 pitches (58 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 6th as Yohendrick Pinago hammered a solo bomb to the 3rd deck in right
• Four batters later, Jesus Sanchez scored on a ground out hit by Brandon Valenzuela
• A batter later, Kazuma Okamoto singled scoring Ernie Clement
• A batter after that, Andrea Gimenez doubled scoring Okamoto
• A batter later, Nathan Lukes singled home Gimenez
• Shane Bas pitching line: 5.2IP 7H 5R (1 earned) 1BB 3K 81 pitches (56 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 8th as Valenzuela belted a solo jack to right
• Louis Varland threw a scoreless 9th for his 11th save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 6 Orioles 4

My Take:

• It was another subpar performance for Kevin Gausman, who notoriously struggles against the O's, the team that drafted him in 2012 and that he played for his first 5.5 seasons. Today, he gave up 4 runs on 5 hits while walking none and striking out 5. He retired 12 of the first 13 batters he faced before the Orioles finally got to him. Unfortunate inning for Gausy, who has been regressing this season. He will likely be traded at the deadline if the Blue Jays are out of the playoff race. 
• The bullpen threw 4 scoreless innings, giving up 3 hits, walking 1 and striking out 5. The rubber arms in Tyler Rogers and Louis Varlannd combined to get the last 8 outs and Rogers got out of the mess created by Connor Seabold in the 7th inning. Adam Macko shoud be tried in some higher leverage situations.
• The offense rallied for 5 runs in the 6th inning and Brandon Valenzuela is doing absolutely everything in his power to be Alejandro Kirk's backup in a week or so. He drove in a pair, including a massive home run in the 8th for a 2-run cushion. Also made a nice play in the field. Very telling he started 3 straight games - something not seen very often with such a physically demanding position
• The Orioles successfully overturned both their ABS challenges and the Blue Jays were unsuccessful on both their ABS challenges
• The Blue Jays were 2-6 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays welcome the Phillies to town. The Phillies won the season series last year, outscoring the Blue Jays 32-20. Patrick Corbin starts against Phillies lefty Christopher Sanchez

Game #66 Baltimore Orioles (31-34) v. Toronto Blue Jays (31-34)

 

Game #65 - Baltimore Orioles (31-34) @ Toronto Blue Jays (31-34) - game recap

Ernie Clement scored three runs and drove in three runs, including a 3-run HR in a 6-4 comeback win over the Orioles

After an ugly blowout loss yesterday due to Trey Yesavage and the bullpen imploding, the Blue Jays were looking to even the series and avoid their 10th series loss of the season. It was a bullpen day with Brayden Fisher serving as the opener and Patrick Valenzuela behind the plate. Myles Straw got the start in CF. Could the Blue Jays even the series and avoid their 10th series loss of the season? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• Brayden Fisher pitching line: 1IP 1H 0R 1BB 2K 18 pitches (10 for strikes)
• The Orioles opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Colton Cowser belted a solo jack to right-center
• The Blue Jays tied it in the bottom of the 2nd as Kazuma Okamoto singled scoring Ernie Clement
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the 3rd as Clement whacked a 3-run blast to left; also scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Jesus Sanchez
• Three batters later, Andres Gimenez singled scoring Brandon Valenzuela. Okamoto was thrown out at 3rd base on the play
• Kyle Bradish pitching line: 4IP 9H 5R (all earned) 3BB 3K 81 pitches (51 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 6th on a sac fly by Valenzuela that scored Clement
• The Orioles got a pair back in the top of the 6th as Pete Alonso smacked a 2-run blast to the opposite field in right-center and into the Orioles bullpen; also scoring Gunnar Henderson
• The Orioles got one back in the top of the 7th as Blaze Anderson smacked a solo blast to left-center
• Louis Varland threw a perfect 9th for his 10th save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 6 Orioles 4

My Take:

• Brayden Fisher pitched his way out of a jam after a leadoff walk and base hit to the first 2 batters to start the game. Hopefully this is the last time a bullpen game is needed. Dylan Cease should make his next start barring a setback with the hamstring and Max Scherzer should be set in a start or two. Shane Bieber has started a rehab assignment and could be back either during the next road trip or the next homestand. Just hate seeing a reliever wasted right away.
• The bullpen gave up 4 runs on 5 hits while walking 1 and striking out 10 over the last 8 innings. Jeff Hoffman continues to be a frustration as he gave up a 2-run HR after entering the game. It's getting to the point where he might be the odd man out when Yimi Garcia is ready to play again. You can't get much lower leverage than a 5-run lead and a runner on 1st that should have been erased with an inning ending double play. Louis Varland is turning into the Blue Jays best reliever and arguably should have been the closer right from the start of the season.
• It was the Ernie Clement show today, scoring three times and driving in three on a 3-run blast in left and he made a fantastic defensive play at 2B. He's been invaluable to the team with the ability to play the hot corner, 2nd base and SS. His bat has been inconsistent at times this season, but he has the ability to be a difference msaker at the plate. He's a bit of a quirky hitter too since he likes to use other players bats when things aren't going his way. Hey whatever works!
• Adley Rutschman was 1-1 on ABS challenges and the Blue Jays did not challenge any pitches today
• The Blue Jays were 3-10 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 9th series win of the season. Ace Kevin Gausman starts against Orioles righty Shane Baz

Game #65 Baltimore Orioles (31-33) v. Toronto Blue Jays (30-34)

Game #64 - Baltimore Orioles (31-33) @ Toronto Blue Jays (30-34) - game recap

 

Brandon Valezuela hit a 2-run HR in a losing effort as the Orioles came from behnid to rout the Blue Jays  13-3

After salvaging a game against the mighty Chris Sale on a team effort offensively, the Blue Jays returned home as they opened a 9-game, 10-day homestand against the Orioles. The two teams split the 4 games in Baltimore a week ago with the Orioles outscoring the Blue Jays 21-18. Chad Dallas was optioned to AAA-ball and Simeon Woods Richardson reported to the team after the trade with the Twins on Wednesday. Trey Yesavage got the start with Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate. Daulton Varsho was in CF and Jesus Sanchez was in RF. Andres Gimenez was at SS and Ernie Clement got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 2 games? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Orioles opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Adley Rutschman hammered a solo bomb to  dead center
• The Blue Jays tied it in the bottom half of the inning on a sac fly by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. that scored George Springer
• Daulton Varsho left the game prior to the bottom of the 4th with wrist inflammation
• The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 5th as Brandon Valenzuela belted a 2-run jack to right-center; also scoring Kazuma Okamtoto
• The Orioles tied it in the top of the 6th as Rutschman doubled scoring Jackson Holliday and Gunnar Henderson
• A batter later, Jeremiah Jackson doubled scoring Rutschman
• A batter after that, Coby Mayo hammered a 2-run bomb to the second deck in left
• Trey Yesavage pitching line: 5.2IP 5H 6R (all earned) 2BB 5K 91 pitches (58 for strikes)
• Brandon Young pitching line: 6.1IP 7H 3R (all earned) 0BB 4K 85 pitches (64 for strikes)
• The Orioles added a run in the top of the 8th as Jackson singled scoring Rutschman
• Two batters later, Colton Cowser singled scoring Jackson
• A batter later, Mayo scored on a ground out hit by Leody Taveras
• The Orioles added a pair of runs in the top of the 9th as Rutschman singled scoring Taylor Ward and Henderson
• A batter later, Rutschman and Pete Alonso scored on a throwing error by Okamoto on a ball hit by Taveras
• Final score: Orioles 13 Blues Jays 3

My Take:

• Trey Yesavage battled through 5.2 innings, giving up 6 runs on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 5. He retired 8 in a row but lost it in the 6th inning, when he was tagged for 5 runs, capped by  a 2-run HR hit by Coby Mayo. Yesavage is still pretty new to the MLB, but teams are building a playbook to use against him, Command was an issue today. Could he be pitching though an injury?
• The bullpen gave up 7 runs on 8 hits while walking 2 and striking out 4 over the last 3.1 innings. Tyler Heineman was the only pitcher to retire every batter he faced.  Adam Macko was the only other reliever to not give up any runs.
• Offensively, the Blue Jays got a 2-run HR off the bat of Brandon Valenzuela, who is doing everything he can to make the decision hard when Alejandro Kirk comes off the IL, and a sac fly from Vlad.
• The Blue Jays cannot catch a break on the injury front. Daulton Varsho had to leave the game with inflammation in his wrist. Backup options are Myles Straw and Nathan Lukes and George Springer in a break glass emergency where the latter 2 got hurt.
• Orioles pitcher Yennier Cano was unsuccessful on the only ABS challenge of the night
• The Blur Jays were 0-2 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to even the series and avoid their 10th series loss of the season. It'll be a bullpen day for the Blue Jays with Spencer Miles expected to factor in heavily. The Orioles will counter with righty Kyle Bradish

Game #64 Baltimore Orioles (30-33) v. Toronto Blue Jays (30-33)

 

Game #63 - Toronto Blue Jays (30-33) @ Atlanta Braves (42-21) - game recap

 

Myles Straw drove in 3 runs and scored a run in a 7-2 victory over the Braves

After another loss due to a bad day for the pitchers, the Blue Jays were trying to snap the 4-game skid and avoid being swept for the 2nd time this season and 1st in a season series. Righty Chad Dallas was selected to the MLB roster, righty Hayden Juenger was optioned to AAA-ball and righty Tanner Andrews was DFA'd. Mason Fluharty got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. George Springer was back in the lineup at DH. Daulton Varsho got the complete day off with Myles Straw at CF. Ernie Clement was at SS and Charles McAdoo was at 2B. Could the Blue Jays snap the 4-game skid and avoid being swept for the 2nd time this season and 1st in a season series? Here is tonight's game recap. 

Game Highlights:

• Mason Fluharty pitching line: 1.1IP 1H 0R 1BB 1K 25 pitches (14 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 3rd as Charles McAdoo singled scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr 
• Two batters later, Myles Straw singled scoring Kazuma Okamoto and McAdoo
• The Braves got one back in the bottom half of the inning on a sac fly by Matt Olson that scored Ronald Acuna Jr. 
• Chris Sale pitching line: 5.2IP 10H 3R (all earned) 2BB 6K 108 pitches (70 for strikes)
• The Braves got one back in the bottom of the 8th as Mauricio Dubon whacked a solo blast to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 9th as Nathan Lukes singled scoring Ernie Clement
• A batter later, Myles Straw singled scoring Guerrero Jr.
• A batter after that, Tyler Heineman doubled scoring Lukes and Straw
• Louis Varland got the last 4 outs for his 9th save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 7 Braves 2

My Take:

• Mason Fluharty threw 1.1 scoreless innings, giving up a hit, walking 1 and striking out 1. Still not a fan of the whole opener piggy backed by a bulk inning guy phenomen that was started largely by the Rays who were in a similar injury situation that the Blue Jays are facing right now. First and foremost, it burns a reliever right away. Second, what happens if the opener can't get out of the 1st inning? Then you either have to use a SECOND reliever to escape the jam or bring your bulk guy into a mess right away. Also, the bulk guy is going to face the entire lineup at least once and likely twice anyway, so why not let them start the game and settle in right away? Teams should start getting more than just the five pitchers expected to be the traditional starters stretched out in spring training so there is no need for an opener/bulk reliever.
• The rest of the relievers held the Braves to a pair of runs on 3 hits while walking 2 and striking ut 4 over the last 7.2 innings. Chad Dallas had a decent debut holding the Braves to a run on 2 hits while walking 2 and striking out 1. He'll likely be optioned back to AAA-ball soon once Dylan Cease comes off the IL, likely his next turn. Jeff Hoffman, Tyler Rogers and Louis Varland retired every batter they faced
• The offence took full advantage of an ineffective Chris Sale. Myles Straw (3RBI, run scored), Vlad (2 runs scored) and Tyler Heineman led the way today
• Every Blue Jays starter except Yohendrick Pinago had a hit and all but Pinago and George Springer either scored a run or drove in a run
• The Braves were 2-2 on ABS challenges and Myles Straw was unsuccessful on the Blue Jays only ABS challenge
• The Blue Jays were 7-18 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays open 10-day, 9-game homestand against the Orioles. The two teams split the 4-game series in Baltimore a week ago with the Orioles outscoring the Blue Jays 21-18. Righty Kyle Bradish starts for the Orioles. The Blue Jays haven't set their rotation for the series yet.

Game #63 Toronto Blue Jays (29-33) @ Atlanta Barves (42-20)

 

Game #62 - Toronto Blue Jays (29-33) @ Atlanta Braves (42-20) - game recap

Nathan Lukes scored twice, including a solo HR in a 7-3 loss to the Braves

After a late game really fell short yesterday, the Blue Jays were trying to snap the 3- game skid and avoid their 9th series loss of the season. Patrick Corbin got the start with Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate.  George Springer got the complete day off (Jesus Sanchez served as DH tonight). Could the Blue Jays snap the three game skid and avoid their 9th series loss of the season?  Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st on a double play ball hit by Jesus Sanchez that scored Nathan Lukes 
• The Braves tied it in the bottom of the 2nd as Ha-Seong Kim singled scoring Eli White. Lukes was charged with s throwing error on the play. 
• The Blue Jays retook the lead in the top of the 3rd as Lukes belted a solo jack to right
• The Braves took the lead in the bottom half of the inning on a 3-run bomb to dead center by Mauricio Dubon; also scoring Matt Olson and Ozzie Albies 
• Patrick Corbin pitching line: 5IP 6H 4R (all earned) 2BB 1K 85 pitches (53 for strikes)
• Grant Holmes pitching line: 6IP 5H 2R (both earned) 2BB 4K 89 pitches (56 for strikes)
• The Braves added 3 runs in the bottom of the 7th as Albies whacked a 3-run blast to left; also scoring Dominic Smith and Olson
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 9th as Brandon Valenzuela hammered a solo bomb to the second deck in right
• Final score: Braves 7 Blue Jays 3

My Take:

•  Patrick Corbin battled through 5 innings, giving up 4 runs on 6 hits while walking 2 and striking out 1. It was unfortunate he gave up a 3-run HR immediately after the Blue Jays knotted the game at 2. Corbin struggled with getting out of innings cleanly, getting the first 2 outs and then getting into a jam. Very interesting that the Blue Jays traded for Simeon-Woods Richardson after he was DFA'd by the Twins, especially since Shane Bieber, and Dylan Cease all on rehab assignments this week. The Blue Jays could opt for a 6-man rotation but pitchers are creatures of habit and would likely falter if off their typical 5 day rotation more than a turn or two.
• The bullpen gave up 3 runs on 3 hits while walking 1and striking out none over the last 3 innings. Rookie Adam Macko was taken deep for the three runs against. Hayden Juenger retired every batter he faced
• Nathan Lukes led the way offensively, scoring twice, including a solo HR. Brandon Valenzuela also went deep in the 9th. Valenzuela is doing everything he can to force his way into the backup catcher role when Alejandro Kirk returns in a week or two.
• The Blue Jays were 0-1 on ABS challenges and the Braves succeessly overturned their only ABS challenge
• The Blue Jays were 0-4 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 4-game skid and avoid being swept for the 2nd time and 1st time in a season series. It will be another bullpen day with righty Chad Dallas is in Atlanta on the taxi squad so will likely figure in as a bulk reliever or traditional starter. The Braves will counter with lefty Chris Sale

Game #62 Toronto Blue Jays (29-32) @ Atlanta Barves (41-20)

 

Game #61 - Toronto Blue Jays (29-32) @ Atlanta Braves (41-20) - game recap

 

Kazuma Okamoto hit a 2-run HR in a losing effort as the Braves hung on to edge the Blue Jays 4-3

After an off-day/travel day yesterday, the Blue Jays continued the road trip in Atlanta. The Blue Jays won the season series last year, outscoring the Braves 13-12. Ace Kevin Gausman got the start with Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate. George Springer was back in the lineup at DH after the complete day off Sunday. Vlad was back in the field after the half day off as DH Sunday. Nathan Lukes was in LF and Yohendrick Pinago was in RF. Could the Blue Jays snap the 2-game skid and start the week with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Braves opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Michael Harris II doubled scoring Ronald Acuna Jr,
• Two batters later, Harris II scored on a sac fly by Ozzie Albies
• The Blue jays tied it in the top of the 2nd as Kazuma Okamoto whacked a 2-run blast to the opposite field in right; also scoring Yohendrick Pinago 
• The Braves retook the lead in the bottom of the 3rd as Albies singled scoring Matt Olson
• The Blue Jays tied it in the top of the 6th on a sac fly by Daulton Varsho that scored Nathan Lukes
• The Braves retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Olson smacked a solo blast to right
• Bryce Elder pitching line: 6.2IP  6H 3R (all earned) 1BB 6K 103 pitches (64 for strikes)
• Kevin Gausman pitching line: 6IP 5H 4R (all earned) 2BB 8K 96 pitches (58 for strikes)
• Raisel Iglesias threw a scoreless 9th for his 11th save of the season
• Final score: Braves 4 Blue Jays 3

My Take:

• Kevin Gausman battled through 6 innings, giving up 4 runs on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 8. The Braves got to him right away, scoring twice in the 1st inning. Three starters may be getting close to returning with Shane Bieber, Max Scherzer and Dylan Cease all eyeing starting rehab assignments in the coming days. This will take the pressure off Gausman to have to pitch deep in games to save the bullpen.
• The bullpen pittched 2 scoreless innings. Brayden Fisher and Connor Seabold both retired every batter they faced
• Offensively, Kazuma Okanoto (2-run HR) and Daulton Varsho had clutch game-tying RBI's, but the Blue Jays weren't able to score the go-ahead run. Caase in point, 9th inning, the Blue Jays had 2 chances to at least send the game to extra innings, only to see Andres Gimenez and pinch hitter Jesus Sanchez pop out to end the game. George Springer and Vlad both need to do more to help out.
• Lots of ABS challenges in this one. Brandon Valenzuela was unsuccessful in the Blue Jays only ABS challenge. The Braves were a perfect 4-for-4 with Braves catcher Sandy Leon overturning three ABS challenges
• The Blue Jays were 0-6 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 3-game skid and avoid their 10th series loss and 5th season series loss of the season. Patricjk Corbin starts against Braves righty Grant Holmes

Game #61 Toronto Blue Jays (29-31) @ Atlanta Barves (40-20)