After snapping the three game skid yesterday on the strength of an 8-run outburst over 2 innings, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 2 games, notch their 12th series win and 5th season series win of the season. Dylan Cease got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. George Springer returned to the lineup as DH. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 12th series win of the season and 5th season series win? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Daulton Varsho singled scoring Ernie Clement
- A batter later, Kazuma Okamoto whacked a grand slam to the opposite field in right; also scoring Varsho, Nathan Lukes and George Springer
- Logan Webb pitching line: 7IP 5H 5R (all earned) 2BB 2K 106 pitches (72 for strikes)
- The Blue jays added a run in the top of the 8th on a fielder's choice hit by Myles Straw that scored Varsho
- A batter later, Andres Gimenez singled scoring Okamoto
- The Blue jays added a pair of runs in the top of the 9th as Vladimir Gurrero Jr hammered a 2-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Lukes
- A batter later, Springer hammered a solo bomb to straightaway center
- Dylan Cease pitching line: 8IP 1H 0R 3BB 11K 118 pitches (81 for strikes)
- Final score: Blue Jays 10 Giants 0
My Take:
- Dylan Cease was outstanding today, taking a no hitter into the 9th inning. This game reminded me a lot of Johan Santana's no hitter in 2012 where he threw a ridiculous 134 pitches. Ceases ended up being removed immediately after giving up a leadoff single in the 9th inning at 118 pitches. It's highly unusual for managers, even when a pitcher is tossing a perfect game or no hitter, to let a pitcher go that far with the pitch count, especially with all the injuries pitchers have had with their arms. Perhaps Schneider let Cease trey to finish the game because it was going to be his last start before the all-star break, giving the righty a few extra days rest. It will be interesting to see how Cease does in his next start. Santana strugg led in his next several starts. Of course, Santana also was coming off major shoulder surgery that might have impacted his recovery.
- Tyler Rogers got the last three outs without giving up anything further.
- Apparently, facing a weak Giants pitching staff was just what the Blue jays lineup needed. The offense jumped all over Giants starter Logan Webb, putting five runs on the board in the first inning, including a grand slam from Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto. Heck even Vlad and George Springer went deep. Interestingly Springer was batting in the cleanup spot and not his usual leadoff spot.
- The Giants were successful on their only ABS challenge while the Blue jays were unsuccessful on both their ABS challenges
- The Blue jays were 3-10 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, after an off-day/travel day tomorrow, the Blue Jays continue the road trip in San Diego. The Blue Jays swept the season series last year, outscoring the Padres 24-6. The Padres will start lefty JP Sears on Friday. The Blue Jays haven't set their rotation for the series yet.
