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| Nathan Lukes drove in a pair of runs in a 5-3 loss to the Royals |
After an off-day/travel day yesterday, the Blue Jays opened a week long homestand, taking on the KC Royals for the first time this season. The Royals won the season series last year, outscoring the Blue Jays 45-21. Shane Bieber was placed on the 15-day IL (retroactive to August 21) with a right major teres strain. Chad Dallas was recalled from AAA-ball. Max Scherzer got the start with Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate. Myles Straw was in LF, Brett Bateman was in CF and Nathan Lukes wad in RF. Andres Gimenez was back in the lineup at SS after missing a few days with a strained hamstring. Ernie Clement was at 2B. Jesus Sanchez served as DH. Could the Blue Jays start the week and homestand with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Royals opened the scoring in the top of the 1st on a double play ball hit by Salvador Perez that scored Bobby Witt Jr.
- The Blue Jays tied it in the bottom half of the inning on a sac fly by Jesus Sanchez that scored Brett Bateman
- The Royals took the lead in the top of the 5th as Perez singled scoring Witt Jr.
- Max Scherzer pitching line: 5IP 4H 2R (both earned) 5BB 4K 92 pitches (51 for strikes)
- Seth Lugo pitching line: 5IP 6H 1R (earned) 1BB 5K 89 pitches (53 for strikes)
- The Royals took the lead in the top of the 6th on a throwing error by Vlad on a ball hit by Kyle Isbel that scored Nick Loftin
- A batter later, John Rave scored on a sac fly hit by Carter Jensen
- The Royals added a run in the top of the 9th as Rave singled scoring Tyler Tolbert
- The Blue Jays got a pair back in the bottom half of the inning as Nathan Lukes singled scoring Daz Cameron and Bateman
- Final score: Royals 5 Blue Jays 3
My Take:
- Max Scherzer battled through 5 innings, giving up a pair of runs on 4 hits while walking 5 and striking out 4. He struggled with his command right from the get-go and got fortunate to escape the 1st inning with just one run allowed thanks to Salvador Perez hitting into a double play. He did settle down to retire 8 in a row at one point. The Blue Jays need Scherzer to go deeper in games as they continue to be pummeled in the injury department.
- The bullpen gave up 3 runs (just 1 earned thanks to a bad throw to first from Vladdy after fielding a bunt) on 6 hits while walking 4 and striking out 5 over the last 4 innings. None of the relievers got through an inning cleanly, but at least none of the runs were charged to Brendan Little, Mason Fluharty or Paul Sewald.
- The offense didn't do muchh except tying the game immediately after the Royals took the lead thanks to a Jesus Sanchez ssac fly and a clutch base hit by Nathan Lukes, who ended the game trying to stretch the single into a double. Alejandro Kirk's hitting streak came to an end. Gutsy effort by Ernie Clement to stay in the game after fouling the ball off his balls. Next time he'll be weariing a cup after that experience
- The Blue Jays were 3-1 on ABS challenges. Royals catcher Carter Jensen was unsuccessful on the Royals only ABS challenge
- The Blue Jays were a dreadful 1-11 with runners in scoring position
- In terms of the wild card race, The Blue Jays are now 2.5 games back of the Guardians (who are currently losing their game against the Angels, who are playing the spoiler role very well) for the 2rd WC spot. The Rangers (who lost to the White Sox) are a half game back of the 3rd WC spot The Orioles (spanked the Cardinals 13-1) and Twins (currently losing to the A's) are both 2 games back of the 3rd WC spot. The Mariners (currently tied with the Phillies in their game tonight) are 3 games back of the 3rd WC spot. Finally, the Tigers, whp won today, are 4 games back of the 3rd WC spot. There's going to be lots of scoreboard watching in the last month of the season. Buckle up Blue Jays fans.
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to even the series and avoid their 21st series loss of the season. It will be an all too familiar bullpen game for the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays offense will take on Royals righty Randy Dobnak.
