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| Max Scherzer threw 7 shutout innings in a 7-0 shutout win over the Mariners |
After a huge comeback win yesterday capped off by an Alejandro Kirk RBI singled and aided by 7 strong innings from Jose Soriano, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 3 games, notch their 9th season series win and complete their second series sweep of the season. Max Scherzer got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Myles Straw was in LF, Brett Bateman was in CF and Nathan Lukes was in RF. Ernie Clenent got the full daty of with Andres Gimenez at SS and Charles McAdoo at 2B. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 3 games, notch their 9th season series win and complete their second series sweep of the season? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Alejandro Kirk whacked a 2-run blast to left-center; also scoring Brett Bateman
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 5th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled scoring Myles Straw
- Logan Gilbert pitching line: 5IP 6H 3R (all earned) 1BB 4K 87 pitches (59 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 6th as Kazuma Okamoto hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- Max Scherzer pitching line: 7IP 1H 0R 1BB 10K 97 pitches (67 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 8th as Andres Gimenez doubled scoring George Springer and Nathan Lukes
- Three batters later, Bateman doubled scoring Okamoto
- Final score: Blue Jays 7 Mariners 0
My Take:
- Max Scherzer threw 7 shutout innings, giving up a hit, walking one and striking out 10, moving him past Gaylord Perry for 9th most career strikeouts in MLB history. For all the naysayers thinking Scherzer should hang them up, he still has a few bullets left in the legendary arm. This might have been Scherzer's best start in a Blue Jays uniform. He seems extremely motivated with the Blue Jays very much controlling their own destiny to snag the 3rd WC spot with series left against most of the teams they are battling for that one playoff spot. September is going to be a blast.
- The bullpen walked a batter and struck out 5 over the last 2 innings. Brayden Fisher retired every batter he faced.
- The offense today was led by Alejandro Kirk (2-run HR), Kazuma Okamoto (solo HR), Brett Bateman (RBI, run scored) and Andres Gimenez (2 RBI). It's nice to see the offense being spread around with better AB's lately. Vlad has 9 home games left to hit a HR at the Rogers Center
- Both teams were 0-1 on ABS challenges
- The Blue Jays were 4-10 with runners in scoring position.
- In terms of the WC race, the Blue Jays are 1.5 games back of the Guardians, who also won today for the 3rd WC spot. The Orioles (won today) are 1 game back of the 3rd WC spot. The Texas Rangers (won today) are 2 games back of the 3rd WC spot. The Twins (won today) are 4 games back of the 3rd WC spot. The Mariners are 5 games back of the 3rd WC spot and the Tigers (lost today) are 5.5 games back of the 3rd WC spot
- Up next, after an off-day/travel day tomorrow, the Blue Jays open their second-last road trip in Cleveland with the chance to take over the 3rd WC spot. The Blue Jays took the series in Toronto, outscoring the Guardians 15-13. Spencer Arrighetti starts against Guardians righty Gavin Williams Tuesday
