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| Brendon Little got 4 strikeouts in a 3-1 win over the Astros |
After dropping yesterday's game due to a bad day at the office for closer Louis Varland, the Blue Jays were looking to start the week and road trip with a win. They took on the Astros, who took the series in Toronto 6 weeks ago, outscoring the Blue Jays 14-12. The Blue Jays were sellers at the trade deadline owing- to being in last in the AL East and with slim playoff hopes. Kevin Gausman was traded first to the Cubs for outfielder Brett Bateman and infielder Ty Southisene. Gausman finishes his Blue Jays career 53-51 and a 3.62ERA in a 148 regular season starts over 5 seasons. This season, Gausman is 5-10 with a 4.38ERA over 23 starts. In a separate deal with the Cubs, the Blue Jays acquired righty Jameson Taillon for cash considerations. Taillon was recently DFA'd by the Cubs and is 2-8 with a 5-92ERA over 15 starts this season. Adam Macko was traded to the Rangers for infielder Josh Smith and righty Josh Stephan. Macko is 2-0 with a 4.91ERA over 22 appearances this season. Smith is batting .213 with 1HR and 8RBI in 163AB this season. The Blue Jays also acquired righty Jose Soriano from the Angels for a trio of prospects. Soriano is 9-6 with a 3.29ERA over 22 starts this season. Daulton Varsho and righty Spencer Arrighetti switched dugouts. Varsho is batting .243 with 7HR and 26RBI in 333AB this season. Arrighetti 7-5 with a 4.60ERA over 17 starts this season. Finally, Jeff Hoffman was traded to the Twins for a trio of prospects and international cash. Hoffman was 6-7 with a 3-92ERA, 5 saves and 4 blown saves in 51 appearances this season. On to the ball game today. Soriano and Smith already reported to the team before first pitch. Lazaro Estrada was recalled from AAA-ball and righty John Klein was optioned to AAA-ball. Shane Bieber got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after the half day off as DH yesterday (George Springer served as DH tonight). Jesus Sanchez was in LF, Myles Straw was in CF and Nathan Lukes was in RF. Kazuma Okamoto was back at the hot corner after covering 1B for Vlad yesterday. Ernie Clement got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays start the week and road trip with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Alejandro Kirk belted a solo jack to left-center
- The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 4th as Jesus Sanchez singled scoring Kazuma Okamoto. Astros LF Taylor Trammel was charged with a throwing error on the play
- A batter later, George Springer scored on a sac fly by Ernie Clement
- Cristian Javier pitching line: 6IP 7H 3R (all earned) 0BB 2K 85 pitches (58 for strikes)
- The Astros got one back in the bottom of the 6th as Jeremy Pena singled scoring Yainer Diaz
- Shane Bieber pitching line: 5.2IP 9H 1R (earned) 2BB 6K 87 pitches (54 for strikes)
- Tyler Rogers threw a perfect 9th for his 3rd save of the season.
- Final score: Blue Jays 3 Astros 1
My Take:
- Shane Bieber battled through 5.2 innings, giving up a run on 9 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6. Bieber battled through jams all night, but was able to pitch his way out of them except for the 6th inning. This start was up in the air right up to 3pm since there were likely teams that kicked the tires on acquiring him. It can't have been easy getting in a mindset to pitch after waiting all day to see if you were even playing until 2 hours before the first pitch
- The bullpen held the Astros to a hit and 3 walks while striking out 4 over the last 3.1 innings. Fans must have been jumping out of their seat and screaming at the TV when Brendon Little entered the game with a 2-run lead in the 7th inning. This was the highest leverage opportunity he has had in a while. Little came through, getting 4 outs - all strikeouts. Can he keep the momentim going - especially since the Blue Jays have only him and Mason Fluharty in the bullpen as southpaw options after trading Adam Macko to the Rangers. Tyler Rogers retired every batter he faced and will likely be the backup option as closer when Louis Varland is down,
- Offensively, the bats continue to be on the cold side with Alejndro Kirk (solo HR), Jesus Sanchez (RBI single) and Ernie Clement (sac fly) doing the damage tonight.
- The Blue Jays were 4-1 on ABS challenges today and Astros catcher Yandy Diaz successfully overturned both Astros ABS challenges
- The Blue Jays were 1-8 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 15th series win of the season. Trey Yesavage starts against Astros righty Hayden Wesneki
