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| Alejandro Kirk drove in 3 runs, including a 2-run HR in a 7-3 win over the Orioles |
After a loss due to a bad start from Max Scherzer the Blue Jays were looking to snap the 2 game skid and avoid their 19th series loss of the season. On another bullpen day, Spencer Miles got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Rudy Martin Jr. was in LF. Josh Smith got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays snap the 2 game skid and avoid their 19th series loss of the season? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled scoring Brett Bateman
- A batter later, Alejandro Kirk singled home Guerrero Jr
- Spencer Miles pitching line: 2IP 1H 0R 2BB 5K 44 pitches (30 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 3rd as Bateman belted a solo jack to right-center
- Three batters later, Kirk smacked a 2-run blast to left-center; also scoring George Springer
- Kyle Bradish pitching line: 3IP 8H 5R (all earned) 2BB 2K 56 pitches (37 for strikes)
- The Orioles got one back in the top of the 4th on a throwing error by Kazuma Okamoto on a ball hit by Christian Encarnacion-Strand that scored Gunnar Henderson
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 6th as Andres Gimenez doubled scoring Josh Smith
- The Orioles got one back in the top the 7th as Pete Alonso drilled a 2-run bomb off the foul pole in left; also scoring Yohel Pozo
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 7th on a sac fly by Ernie Clement that scored Guerrero Jr.
- Final score: Blue Jays 7 Orioles 3
My Take:
- For the umpteenth time this season, it was a bullpen day for the Blue Jays with Spencer Miles serving as the opener. Miles pitched the first 2 innings, giving up a hit, walking 2 and striking out 5. Next season (or when baseball returns after the expected lengthy lockout/strike over a salary cap) Miles should be stretched out to be a starter. The Blue Jays need to have at least 6 or 7 pitchers with the capability to handle 80-100 pitches. Even if they get a spot start every 2-3 weeks where a regular is skipped, it'll allow the Blue Jays to have a fall back in case of injury or poor performance. It's not sustainable to have a bullpen day every 5 days or twice, as is the case now with Trey Yesavage and Shane Bieber both on the IL.
- The rest of the bullpen gave up 3 runs on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6 over the last 7 innings. Joe Mantiply, Tyler Rogers and Louis Varland retired every batter they faced. Spencer Arrightetti was credited with the win.
- The offense jumped all over Orioles starter Kyle Bradish with Alejandro Kirk knocking in 3 runs (including a 2-run HR, Vlad and Brett Bateman both scoring twice and driving in a run (Bateman also went deep off Bradish), and Ernie Clement and Andres Gimenez each knocking in a run.
- Every Blue Jays starter reached base at least once and all but Rudy Martin Jr. had a hit
- The Orioles were 2-1 on ABS challenges and Alejandro Kirk was 1-1 on ABS challenges
- The Blue Jays were 3-7 with runners in scoring position
- In terms of the wild card race, the Blue Jays are back within a game of the Guardians of the 3rd WC spot after the Guardians lost today. The Rangers, who play later tonight in Arizona, are 2.5 games back of the Guardians for the 3rd WC spot, but will be 2 games back if they win or 3 games back if they lose. The Orioles are 3 games back of the 3rd WC spot and the Twins, who beat the Guardians, are 4.5 games back of the 3rd WC spot. The only other teams with an outside chance of a WC berth are the Tigers (won today) and the Mariners (play the A's later tonight) who are both 5.5 games back of the 3rd WC spot.
- Up next, the Blue Jays look to extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 25th series win of the season. Ace Dylan Cease starts against Orioles lefty Trevor Rogers
