 |
| 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.
