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| Kevin Gausman fired 6 strong innings in a 3-0 shutout loss to the Mets |
After eking out a win yesterday on the strength of a 6.2 inning effort from starter Trey Yesavage and just enough offense to carry the day, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to two games and notch their 10th series win and 4th season series win of the season. Ace Kevin Gausman got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Sean Keys was added late lineup replacement for Vladimir Guerrero Jr, who was removed from the lineup with lower back tightness. Daulton Varsho was in CF, Ernie Clement was at the hot corner and Andres Gimenez got the start at SS. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 10th series win and 4th season series win of the season? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Mets opened the scoring in the top of the 5th as Francisco Alvarez hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- Kevin Gausman pitching line: 6IP 5H 1R (earned) 2BB 7K 96 pitches (65 for strikes)
- Nolan McLean pitching line: 6IP 5H 0R 2BB 7K 91 pitches (63 for strikes)
- The Mets added a run in the top of the 7th as Luis Torrens whacked a solo blast to the opposite field in right and into the Mets bullpen
- The Mets added a run in the top of the 9th on a sac fly by Brett Bat-y that scored AJ Ewing
- Devin Williams threw a scoreless 9th for his 12th save of the season
- Final score: Blue Jays 3 Mets 0
My Take:
- The pitching lines were virtually identical with both starters going 6 innings, giving up 5 hits, walking 2 and striking out 7. The difference was one of the hits off Kevin Gausman left the ballpark. Gausman also threw 5 more pitches (96 vesus 91) and got 2 more strikes (65 for Gausman). It was a better start for Gausman, who has experienced a regression in performance (due to age? injury? other factors?). Tonight's start could be important if the Blue Jays decide to sell at the deadline if they hit the all-star break still creeping along.
- The bullpen gave up 2 runs on 2 hits while walking 1 and striking out 4 over the last 3 innings. At this point, the Blue Jays are really just trying to work piecemeal with whichever armss are available and hope that the starteer is effective like Gausman was tonight. Buyers or sellers, the team needs some fresh bullpen arms for the stretch drive.
- The offense did nothing tonight, managing 8 total base runners. Luis Urias, who has made a good early impression since being acquired 10 days ago, was the only Blue Jay to reach base multiple times with 2 hits and a walk. The Blue Jays never advanced a runner past 2nd base
- The Blue Jays were a perfect 4-4 on ABS challenges with Alejandro Kirk overturning 3 calls for the pitchers. The Mets were unsuccessful on their only ABS challenge
- Quirky stat of the day: Both teams are a combined 0-25 with runners in scoring position. Will either team get a hit with a runner in scoring position tomorrow?
- Up next, the rubber match where the Blue Jays will be looking to extend the current and Canada day win streak to 2 games and notch their 10th series win and 4th season series win of the season. The Blue Jays have an overall record of 17-29 on Canada Day with no game on Canada Day in 1981 (player's strike) and 1993 (off-day) and 2020 (COVID-19 pandemic - season didn't start until end of July). It will be a bullpen day after the decision was made to move the struggling Patrick Corbin to the bullpen. Brayden Fisher, Spencer Miles or Adam Macko will likely come in as the opener. The Mets will counter with righty Freddy Peralta
