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| Kazuma Okamoto hit a 2-run HR in the 9th in a 6-5 loss to the Rangers |
After dropping a winnable series thanks to a leaky bullpen and the inept offence, the Blue Jays were looking to open the next series against the Texas Rangers with a win. The Blue Jays took the season series last year, outscoring the Rangers 28-20. Ace Kevin Gausman got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Myles Straw was in CF. Ernie Clement got the start at SS. Could the Blue Jays start the weekend before Canada Day with a win and snap the 2-game skid? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Rangers opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Joc Pederson hammered a solo bomb to the 3rd deck in right
- The Rangers added 3 runs in the top of the 3rd as Wyatt Langford whacked a 3-run blast to left-center; also scoring Nicky Lopez and Pederson
- Three batters later, Jake Burger smacked a 2-run blast to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen; also scoring Corey Seager
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 5th on a sac fly by Davis Schneider that scored Kazuma Okamoto
- A batter later, Myles Straw doubled scoring Alejandro Kirk and Nathan Lukes
- Kevin Gausman pitching line: 6IP 10H 6R (all earned) 2BB 4K 99 pitches (67 for strikes)
- MacKenzie Gore pitching line: 7IP 4H 3R (all earned) 1BB 5K 98 pitches (66 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays got a pair back in the bottom of the 9th as Okamoto hammered a 2-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Ernie Clement
- Jacob Latz got the last 3 outs for his 15th save of the season
- Final score: Rangers 6 Blue Jays 5
My Take:-
- Kevin Gausman battled through 6 innings, giving up 6 runs on 10 hits while walking 2 and striking out 4. It's troubling the decline Gausman has had this season. Last year, he was consistently getting strikeouts and pitching quality starts of 3 runs or less in at least 6 innings. He has been getting hit hard this season, getting taken deep three times tonight for the 6 runs against. Hopefully this is an age-related regression and Gausman isn't playing through an injury.
- Simeon Wood Richardson threw 3 scoreless innings walking 4 and striking out 1. Spencer Miles and SWR will be invaluable if they can eat innings to allow the heavily used relievers such as Jeff Rogers, Mason Fluharty and Louis Varland days off. Getting fresh arms at the trade deadline will be crucial.
- Kazuma Okamoto, who should be an all-star as a reserve if not voted as a starter, came up clutch again with a 2-run bomb to straightaway center to pull the Blue Jay within a run in a game they had no business being in with the inept offense. Myles Straw also doubled in a pair to put the Blue Jays within 3 runs in the 5th inning. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer were a combined 0-8 with 3 strikeouts. If the two have any integrity, they will decline being a starter in the all-star game. The all-star game - and the starter selections, at times amount to a popularity contest and don't necessatily reflect the best players that season. Anyway, the team needs Vladdy and Springer at their very best post-all star break since they will be fighting for a wild card spot.
- The Blue Jays successfully overturned both their ABS challenges and Rangers catcher Kyle Higashioka was 1-1 on ABS challenges
- The Blue Jays were 1-3 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to even the series and snap the 3-game skid. Patric Corbin starts against Rangers righty Nathan Eovaldi
