-Game #150 Toronto Blue Jays (88-62) @ Tampa Bay Rays (73-77) - game recap

 

Ernie Clement scored both runs in a 2-1 comeback win in 11 innings over the Rays

After blowing out the Orioles yesterday, the Blue Jays commenced the final road trip of the regular season in Tampa Bay tonight. The Rays have won 5 of the first 6 games of the season series, outscoring the Blue Jays 39-17. Trey Yesavage, who has remarkably pitched at three different minor league levels, made his big league debut with Tyler Heineman behind the plate (Ryan Borucki was DFA'd). Nathan Lukes was in RF. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 5 games? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Rays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Yandy Diaz doubled scoring Chandler Simpson
• Trey Yesavage pitching line: 3H 1R (earned) 2BB 9K 69 pitches (49 for strikes)
• Joe Boyle pitching line: 6IP 3H 0R 0BB 5K 78 pitches (53 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays tied it in the top of the 8th on asac fly by Andres Gimenez that scored Ernie Clement 
• The Blue jays took the lead in the top of the 11th as George Springer singled scoring Clement
• Final score: Blue Jays 2 Rays 1 (11 innings)

My Take:

• Trey Yesavage fired 5 solid innings in his big league debut, giving up a run on 3 hits while walking 2 and striking out 9. It's remarkable the season he is having, rocketing through 3 minor league tiers. It's common for pitches to be promoted a tier or two if they are having a good season, but to advance 4 tiers in one season is in rare territory, 20ish pitchers all time. Examples of players who have done the feat include Chris Sale (2010, White Sox), Brandon Finnegan (2014, Royals), Andrew Miller (2006, Tigers), and Ryan Wagner (2003, Reds). Yesavage set a franchise record for most strikeouts in a big league debut.
• The bullpen was solid in a playoff-like game, throwing 6 scoreless innings, conceding a hit and 2 walks while striking out 9. Brandon Little and Seranthony Dominguez retired every batter they faced. Braydon Fisher, who was credited with the win, was phenomeol, striking out 4, including 3 in the 11th with runners on the corners with none out. 
• Offensively, Ernie Clement scored twice with Andres Gimenez and George Springer driving him in
• The magical season continues as the Blue Jays notched their 47th comeback win of the season, leaving them just 3 wins shy of the franchise record of 50 comeback wins set by the 1987 squad.. It must be a good feeling for the pitchers knowing they don't have to be perfect, there is a good chance of a comeback as long as they keep the score close.
• The Blue Jays were 1-7 with runners in scoring position
• The Blue Jays gained a game against the Yankees, who were shutout by the Twins tonight, putting the Yankees a full 5 games back of 1st in the AL East and the Red Sox are a full 6 games back and are likely not winning the AL East division. The Blue Jays are also a full 3 games up on the Tigers for best AL record and home field advantage through the ALCS.
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 6 games. Ace Jose Berrios starts against Rays righty Ryan Pepiot.
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Game #150 Toronto Blue Jays (87-62) @ Tampa Bay Rays (73-76)

 

Game #149 Baltimore Orioles (69-80) @ Toronto Blue Jays (87-62) - game recap

 

Ernie Clement drove in 3 runs and scored a run in an 11-2 comeback win over the Orioles

After a walk-off win yesterday thanks to a clutch sac fly off the bat of Alejandro Kirk, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 4 games and complete their 11th series sweep and to notch their 19th series win of the season. Shane Bieber got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Joey Loperfido was in RF. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 4 games and complete their 11th series sweep and to notch their 19th series win of the season? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Orioles opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Coby Mayo hammered a solo bomb to dead center
• The Blue jays tied it in the bottom of the 3rd as George Springer doubled scoring Andres Gimenez
• Albert Suarez pitching line: 3IP 2H 1R (earned) 1BB 5K 53 pitches (31 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the 4th as Ernie Clement doubled scoring Alejandro Kirk and Daulton Varsho
• The Blue jays added a run in the bottom of the 5th as Springer belted a solo jack to left-center
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 6th as Joey Loperfido doubled scoring Clement
• Shane Bieber pitching line: 6IP 4H 1R (earned) 1BB 5K 97 pitches (67 for strikes)
• The Orioles got one back in the top of the 7th as Colton Cowser whacked a solo blast to left-center
• The Blue jays added 3 runs in the bottom half of the inning as Addison Barger doubled scoring Springer, Nathan Lukes and Vladimir Guerrero Jr 
• A batter later, Kirk singled scoring Barger
• Two batters later,  Clement singled scoring Tyler Heineman 
• A batter later,  Varsho scored on a fielder's choice hit by Loperfido 
• Final score: Blue Jays 11 Orioles 2

My Take:

• Shane Bieber fired 6 solid innings, giving up a run on 4 hits while walking 1 and  striking out 5. He retired 11 of the last 13 batters he faced and only really threw one pitch he'll want back (the one Coby Mayo crushed to deep center field. Bieber should be in the playoff rotation
• The bullpen gave up a run on 3 hits while walking 1 and striking out 3. The score allowed the Blue Jays to rest their high leverage relievers for a tougher series in Tampa Bay starting tomorrow
• Offensively, George Springer (2 RBI, 2 runs scored including solo HR), Addison Barger (3RBI, run scored), Alejandro Kirk (RBI, run scored) Ernie Clement (3RBI, run scored) and Joey Loperfido (2RBI) led the way
• Every Blue Jays starter reached base at least once and all but Davis Schneider and  Vlad had at least one hit.
• The Blue Jays were 6-13 with runners in scoring position
• The comeback kids did it again! The Blue Jays completed their 46th comeback win of the season and are now just 4 comeback wins shy of the franchise record set by the juggernaut 1987 squad
• Standings wise, the Blue Jays will remain 2.5 games up on the Tigers for best record in the AL and home field advantage through the ALCS, along with an all-important bye to the divisional round. For the moment, The Yankees are 3.5 games back of the Blue Jays for 1st in the AL East and it is looking like the division title will be between the Blue Jays and Yankees with the Red Sox slipping to 6 games back of 1st in the AL East and picking a bad time to slump.
• Up next, the Blue Jays commence their final road trip of the season as they head south to take on the Rays in Tampa Bay. The Rays have taken 5 of the first 6 games in the season series, outscoring the Blue Jays 39-17. Number 2 prospect Trey Yesavage will make his big league debut. The Rays haven't set their rotation for the series yet.

Game #149 Baltimore Orioles (69-79) v. Toronto Blue Jays (86-62)

 

Game #148 Baltimore Orioles (69-78) v. Toronto Blue Jays (85-62)