 |
| Nathan Lukes hit a 3-run HR to lift the Blue Jays to a 3-0 shutout win over the Royals |
After dropping yesterday's game due to a lste game rally falling short, the Blue Jays were looking to even the series and avoid their 21st series loss of the season. It was another bullpen day with Spencer Miles starting with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Jesus Sanchez got the start in LF. George Springer was back in the lineup as DH after a day off yesterday. Could the Blue Jays even the series and avoid their 21st series loss of the season? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- Spencer Miles pitching line: 2IP 2H 0R 0BB 1K 33 pitches (20 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 4th as Nathan Lukes belted a 3-run jack to right-center; also scoring Jesus Sanchez and Kazuma Okamoto
- Randy Dobnak pitching line: 6IP 6H 3R (all earned) 1BB 5K 92 pitches (56 for strikes)
- Louis Varland got the last 4 outs for his 30th save of the season
- Final score: Blue Jays 3 Royals 0
My Take:
- It was bullpen day for the upteenth time with Spencer Miles as the opener. It is unprecedented the amount of injuries the Blue Jays have suffered in 2026. However, the injuries have also created opportunities for some of the prospects like Spencer Miles to break into the majors and Miles has done a great job, largely playing a role as a multi-inning guy, but was aldo stretched out to be a starter when the injury woes/suboptimal performances from Eric Lauer were at their peak. Tonight, Miles pitched the first 2 innings, giving up 2 hits, walking none and striking out 1. The Blue Jays need to address the lsck of pitching depth in the rotation, both in the off-season (acquiring 2 or 3 starters who have the ability to throw 5 or 6 innings on a consistent basis via free agency and the trade market) and in spring training (building up at minimum 6 and ideally 7 or 8 to offset any injuries and/or performance woes.
- The rest of the bullpen threw 7 shutout innings, giving up 4 hits, walking 2 and striking out 8. Chad Dallas, Paul Sewald and Mason Fluharty retired every batter they faced. Louis Varland, who had to escape a jam the normally reliable Tyler Rogers got into in the 8th inning for his 30th save of the season. Varland is the first closer since Roberto Osuna in 2017 to record at least 30 saves. Duane Ward has the single season Blue Jays record with 45 saves in 1993. Ward is the only Blue Jays closer with at least 40 saves.
- Nathan Lukes got some redemption after making the final out of the ball game and killing a late game rally by going deep for the only 3 runs of the game. Jesus Sanchez had a multi-hit game. I'm not convinced this offense can do enough to give the Blue Jays enough wins to make the playoffs. The Blue Jays really need Vlad's bat to catch fire.
- Alejandro Kirk was 1-2 on ABS challenges and the Royals were unsuccessful in their only ABS challenge
- The Blue Jays were 1-5 with runners in scoring position
- In terms of the wild card race, the Blue Jays are 3 games back of the Guardians, who won earlier today for the 3rd WC spot. The Rangers are 1.5 games back oFthe Guardians for the 3rd WC spot, but they are looking like they will be 2 games back with the White Sox ahead by six runs and the Guardians down to their last 3 AB's with the game in the bottom of the 8th. The Orioles are 3 games back for the moment and will gain a half game if the score, that has the Orioles leading the Cardinals by a run in the bottom of the 9th holds. The Tigers are pretty much out of the race and sit 5.5 games back of the 3rd and final WC spot after a shutout loss to the Rays earlier today. The Mariners are 4 games back of the 3rd WC spot after a shutout loss to the Phillies. Finally, the Twins lost as well and are 3.5 games back of the 3rd WC race.
- A shoutout to the Little League team from Little Mountain in East Vancouver, who repped Canada at the Little League World Series and kicked some butt, beating a heavily favored South Korea. They were knocked out of the tournanent by the formidable team from Japan. There have been some fine basebaall players who were born in BC, led by Larry Walkers. BCers who played for the Blue Jays include Jeff Francis, Michael Saunders, and Brett Lawrie. Who knows, maybe some of the kids from this little league squad will play in the majors or at least get drafted.
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 19th series win of the season. Spencer Arrighetti starts against Royals lefty Noah Cameron