Game #37 - Toronto Blue Jays (17-20) @ Philadelphia Phillies (26-12) - game recap

 

Chris Bassitt threw 6.1 strong innings in a 5-3 win over the Phillies

After an ugly loss yesterday due to an uncharacteristically bad start from ace Jose Berrios, the Blue Jays were looking to escape Philadelphia with the series split and snap the 2-game skid. Chris Bassitt got the start with Danny Jansen behind the plate. Daulton Varsho was in LF. IKF was at the hot corner, and Davis Schneider got the start at 2B. Justin Turner served as DH. Could the Blue Jays snap the 2-game skid. earn the series split and (possibly) save some jobs? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 3rd as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled scoring George Springer
• The Phillies tied it up in the bottom half of the inning on a sac fly by Kyle Schwarber that scored Bryson Stott
• The Blue Jays retook the lead in the top of the 6th as Bo Bichette singled scoring Justin Turner 
• A batter later, Davis Schneider singled scoring Danny Jansen
• Two batters later. Kevin Kiermaier singled home Bichette
• Aaron Nola pitching line: 5.2IP 9H 4R (all earned) 0BB 7K 96 pitches (68 for strikes)
• The Phillies got one back in the bottom of the 7th on a sac fly by Stott that scored Nick Castellanos
• Chris Bassitt pitching line: 6.1IP 3H 2R (both earned) 2BB 6K 102 pitches (67 for strikes)
• The Phillies got one back in the bottom of the 9th as Stott doubled scoring Brandon Marsh
• Jordan Romano got the last 3 outs for his 5th save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 5 Phillies 3

My Take:

• Chris Bassitt gave the Blue Jays everyrhing they needed today: length (6.1 inning) and a chance to win, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6. Bassitt retired the first 6 batters he faced then 13 straight. You can't ask for much more 
• Even when they win, the bullpen tends to make fans nervous. Tonight, Jordan Romano found himself in a situation with runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out and the winning run at the plate. Lucky he was able to get Kody Clemens and ex-teammate Whit Merrifield to pop out to end the game. It was great to see Tim Mayza retire 2 of the 3 batters he faced. It has been a rough start to the season for the veteran lefty reliever
• Offensively, it was the best game in a while in terms of driving in runners in scoring position - going 5-11
• Don't look now, but Vladdy is swinging a hot stick. He now has hits in 9 of his last 10 games
• Every Blue Jays starter except Justin Turner and Daulton Varsho had at least one hit and all starters reached base at least once
• Up next, after an off-day tomorrow, the Blue Jays return home for a brief weekend homestand against the Twins, who eliminated the Blue Jays in the wild card series last October, outscoring the Blue Jays 5-1. The two teams split the 6 games in the regular season last year with the Twins outscoring the Blue Jays 28-26. Yusei Kikuchi starts Friday against Twins righty Joe Ryan

Game #37 Toronto Blue Jays (16-20) @ Philadelphia Phillies (26-11)

 

Game #36 Toronto Blue Jays (16-19) @ Philadelphia Phillies (25-11)

 

Game #35 - Toronto Blue Jays (16-19) @ Washington Nationals (17-17) - game recap

 

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a grand slam in a losing effort as the Nationals came from behind to defeat the Blue Jays 11-8

After hanging on for a win with a shaky Jordan Romano doing enough to get the last three outs, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 2 games, notch their 5th series win of the season and 3rd season series win. The big story today was expected to be the return to the bigs for Alek Manoah, who has much to prove after a disastrous 2023 season that resulted in two separate demotions. One of the ugliest moments came July 29th when he ended the season of Taylor Wall with a fastball to the face that resulted in facial fractures. There were early injury concerns for Manoah in spring training where he made just one start before being shut down with shoulder soreness. Brenden Little was optioned back to AAA-ball. Alejandro Kirk was behind the plate. Justin Turner was back at DH after playing the hot corner yesterday (Ernie Clement was at the hot corner today). IFK got the start at 2B. Daulton Varsho was in CF and Davis Schneider was in LF. Could the Blue Jays make it 2 straight wins and notch their 5th series win and 3rd season series win? Here is today's game recap.

Game #35 Toronto Blue Jays (16-18) @ Washington Nationals (16-17)