Game #96 Toronto Blue Jays (55-41) @ Athletics (41-57) - game recap

 

Addison Barger hit a 2-run HR in a 6-3 loss to the A's to end the unofficial first half of the MLB season for the Blue Jays 

After dropping the game yesterday with a rally that fell a run short, the Blue Jays were looking to end the unofficial 1st half of the season and this road trip with a win and notch their 16th series win of the season. Ace Jose Berrios got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Will Wagner at 1B. Nathan Lukes got the start in RF. Addison Barger was at the hot corner and Ernie Clement was at 2B. Could the Blue Jays end the unofficial 1st half and the road trip on a winning note and notch their 16th series win of the season? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The A's opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Austin Wynns belted a 2-run jack to left; also scoring Gio Urshela
• The A's added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 3rd as Tyler Soderstrom hammered a 2-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Nick Kurtz
• Jose Berrios pitching line: 3IP 5H 4R (all earned 2BB 1K 61 pitches (36 for strikes)
• John Schneider was ejected in the top of the 5th on a foul ball call that remained after a challenge
• A pitch later, Davis Schneider hammered a solo bomb to left-center
• The A's added a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning as Kurtz whacked a 2-run blast to the opposite field in left-center; also scoring Jacob Wilson
• The Blue Jays got a pair back in the top of the 7th as Addison Barger drilled a 2-run bomb to right-center; also scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 
• Jeffrey Springs pitching line: 6.2IP 3H 3R (all earned) 0BB 5K 91 pitches (64 for strikes)
• Mason Miller threw a scoreless 9th for his 19th save of the season
• Final score: A's 6 Blue Jays 3

My Take:-

• Jose Berrios battled through 3 innings, giving up 4 runs on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 1. The A's took Berrios deep twice today. It was clear that Berrios didn't have his best stuff. It was a good move to pull him after 3 innings when he was at 61 pitches, rather than sending him out for a 4th inning on a warm day in Sacramento. Save a few bullets for the second half. Berrios finishes the 1st half with a 5-4 record and a 3.75ERA over 20 starts
• The bullpen, which included an appearance from starter Chris Bassitt, gave up a pair of runs on 4 hits while walking 3 and struking out 6 over the last 5 innings. Both runs were charged to lefty Justin Bruihl, who gave up a 2-run HR. Bassitt and Brayden Fisher both retired every batter they faced
• Look for John Schneider to face supplementary discipline, likely a suspension for a few games for bumping umpire Tripp Gibson after a foul ball call was upheld after the Blue Jays challenged. You simply cannot bump an umpire no matter how bad the call is. For what it's worth, Schneider corrected his trajectory on the next pitch for a solo home run. In the end the home run didn't really impact the outcome of the game since the A's added 2 more runs in the bottom half of the inning and the Blue Jays were unable to put together any kind of substantial rally.
• Addison Barger ended his 1st half with a bang, taking A's starter Jeffrey Springs deep for 2 runs
• The Blue Jays did not get a single at-bat with a runner in scoring position (Vlad was at 1st base on Barger's 2-run HR)
• The Blue Jays enter the all-star break 1st in the AL East with a 2-game lead over the Yankees, who fell 4-1 to the upstart Cubs today. They enter the break with a 55-41 record, two games better than a certain 1993 team that won the Blue Jays last world series (that team was 53-43 after 96 games.)
• Up next, the all-star break and a much-needed reset after the team cooled off and dropped three of the last 4 games heading into the all-star break. When play resumes Friday, they will take on the San Francisco Giants. The Blue Jays won the season series last year, outscoring the Giants 18-14. Neither team has set their rotation for the series yet. The Blue Jays could run Jose Berrios out for back-to-back starts, since thst would be his regular day's rest. More likely though, they'll push him back a day or two and start either Kevin Gausman or Chris Bassitt.

Game #95 Toronto Blue Jays (55-40) @ Athletics (40-57) - game recap

 

Bo Bichette had a pair of hits and drove in a run in a losing effort as the A's came from behind to defeat the Blue Jays 4-2

After eking out a win on the strength of a 6-run 4th inning, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 16th series win of the season. Kevin Gausman got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. George Springer got the start in RF with Alejandro Kirk serving as DH. Davis Schneider was in LF. Ernie Clement was at the hot corner and Leo Jimenez got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays make it two straight wins and notch their 16th series win of the season? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue jays opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Leo Jimenez belted a solo jack to left-center 
• The Blue jays added a run in the top of the 3rd as Bo Bichette doubled scoring Ernie Clement 
• The A's got one back in the bottom half or the inning as Lawrence Butler singled scoring Denzel Clarke
• Three batters later, Brent Rooker doubled home Butler
• The A's took the lead in the bottom of the 5th as Rooker whacked a 2-run blast to left-center; also scoring Nick Kurtz
• Jacob Lopez pitching line: 5IP
• Kevin Gausman pitching line: 5IP 5H 4R (3 earned) 2BB 2K 96 pitches (60 for strikes) 4H 2R (both earned) 2BB 5k 87 pitches (52 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 8th on a sac fly by Alejandro Kirk that scored Vladimir Guerrero Jr 
• Mason Miller threw a scoreless 9th for his 18th save of the season
• Final score: A's 4 Blue Jays 3

My Take:

• Kevin Gausman battled through 5 innings, giving up 4 runs (3 earned) on 5 his whole walking 2 and striking out 5. He was working in and out of jams most of the day. Gausman ends the unofficial first half with a 6-6 record and 4.19ERA over 19 starts
• The bullpen threw 3 shutout innings, allowing 3 hits, walking 1 and striking out 4. None of the relievers retired every batter they faced
• Offensively, Leo Jimenez got things started with a bang, going deep to left-center Bo Bichette had an RBI double and Alejandro Kirk had a sac fly 
• The Blue Jays were 1-12 with runners in scoring position - it seems the bats have cooled off
• Up next, the last game of the unofficial 1st half, which the Blue Jays will look to finish on a winning note, while notching their 16th series win of the season. Ace Jose Berrios starts against A's lefty Jeffrey Springs

Game #94 Toronto Blue Jays (55-39) @ Athletics (39-57) - game recap

 

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. recorded his 1000th career hit in a 7-6 win over the A's

After an off-day/travel day yesterday, the Blue Jays opened their final series in Sacramento, the temporary home of the A's. The Blue Jays swept the A's at the end of May, outscoring the A's 39-18. The Blue Jays traded Will Robertson to the White Sox for cash considerations. Ryan Burr was placed on the 60-day IL with a right rotator cuff strain. Righty Tommy Nance was added to the 40-man roster. Max Scherzer got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday (George Springer served as DH today). Nathan Lukes was in LF (Joey Loperfido was a late scratch with an illness) and Addison Barger was in RF. Will Wagner got the start at the hot corner and Ernie Clement was at 2B. Could the Blue Jays start the weekend and last series of the unofficial first half of the season? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 4th on a sac fly by Ernie Clement that scored Bo Bichette
• Vladimie Guerrero Jr. hit a single in the top of the 5th to reach the 1000 hit milestone
• Two batters later, George Springer scored on a double steal
• Two batters later, Alejandro Kirk singled scoring Guerrero Jr. and Addison Barger
• Three batters later, Myles Straw singled scoring Kirk
• a batter later, Nathan Lukes singled scoring Ernie Clement and Will Wagner
• Luis Severino pitching line: 4.2IP 7H 5R (1 earned) 2BB 8K 96 pitches (61 for strikes)
• The A's got a pair back in the bottom of the 6th as Nick Kurtz hammered a two-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Brent Rooker
• Two batters later, Tyler Soderstrom hammered a solo bomb to dead center 
• Max Scherzer pitching line: 6IP 5H 3R (all earned) 1BB 8K 90 pitches (59 for strikes)
• The A's got one back in the bottom of the 9th as Max Muncy drilled a solo bomb to dead center
• Four batters later, Zack Gelof scored on a wild pitch by Jeff Hoffman
• Same batter, Rooker singled scoring Denzel Clarke 
• Final score:  Blue Jays 7 A's 6

My Take:

• Max Scherzer fired 6 solid innings, giving up three runs on five hits while walking one and striking out eight. The extra day of rest did wonders for the veteran righty with the cranky thumb. Scherzer was able to throw 90 pitches, which is very encouraging, especially considering his thumb was reportedly very swollen after his last start that he left after throwing 72 pitches in 4 innings. The Blue Jays definitely need to look at acquiring a pitcher at the trade deadline and using a six-man rotation in the second half.
• The bullpen gave up 3 runs on 5 hits while walking 1 and striking out 7 over the last 3 innings. The Blue Jays also need to look at acquiring a bullpen arm or two at the trade deadline. Your closer having an ERA over 5.00 is not ideal. Also, the health of Yimi Garcia and Nick Sandlin are in question. Ryan Burr is likely done for the year since the Blue Jays put him straight onto the 60-day IL since the MRI results obiously weren't encouraging. Yariel Rodriguez and Bryan Litlle both retired every batter they faced
• The offence did most of the damage in th 5th inning on a sloppy inning for Severino and the A's defense since just 2 of the 6 runs scored that inning were earned. Congrats to Vladdy on becoming the youngest Blue Jay to reach that milestone
• The Blue Jays were 4-11 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to seven games and notch their 16th series win of the season. Kevin Gausman starts against A's lefty Jacob Lopez

Game #59 Athletics (23-37) @Toronto Blue Jays (31-28) - game recap

 

Addison Barger hit a 3-run HR in the 8th inning to lift the Blue Jays to an 8-4 comeback win over the A\s

After hanging on to edge past the A's, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 4 games and complete their 3rd sweep of the season. Daulton Varsho was placed on the 10-day IL with a hamstring strain. Eric Swanson was activated off the 60-day IL. Davis Schneider was recalled from AAA-ball and got the start at 2B. Finally, lefty Easton Lucas was optioned to AAA-ball. Kevin Gausman got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Ernie Clement at 1B. George Springer was in the field in RF after DH'ing yesterday. Myles Straw was in CF. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 4 games and complete their 3rd sweep of the season? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The A's opened the scoring in the top of the 1st on a ground out by Tyler Soderstrom that scored Lawrence Butler
• Soderstrom was ejected for arguing balls and strikes in the top of the 3rd.
• The A's added a pair of runs in the top of the 5th as Luis Urias doubled scoring Brent Rooker and Miguel Andujar
• Kevin Gausman pitching line: 4.2IP 8H 3R (all earned) 2BB 7K 96 pitches (60 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as George Springer singled scoring Myles Straw
• A batter later, Alejandro Kirk singled scoring Vladimir G-uerrero Jr. Springer was tagged out on the play when he was caught hopping up and down after apparently tweaking his ankle sliding into 3rd base.
• JP Sears pitching line: 5IP 7H 2R (both scored) 0BB 3K 84 pitches (54 for strikes)
• The A's added a run in the top of the 8th on a sac fly by Jacob Wilson that scored Willie MacIver
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Addison Barger whacked a 3-run blast to right-center; also scoring Springer and Alan Roden
• Three batters later, Nathan Lukes singled scoring Ernie Clement
• Three batters later, Guerrero Jr. doubled home Davis Schneider
• Final score: Blue Jays 8 A's 4

My Take:

• Kevin Gausman battled through 4.2 innnings, giving up 3 runs on 8 hits while walking 2 and striking out 7. It was clear that Gausman was struggling with command, yanking several pitches well outside the strike zone. He showed frustration with himself and at the umpire when he felt he should have gotten the strike call. Umpires are human though and less likely to call strikes if a pitcher isn't consistently in the zone. 
• The bullpen gave up a run on 3 hits, walking 1 and striking out 7, Mason Fluharty was the only reliever to retire every batter he faced. Eric Swanson, in his season debut, was credited with the win.
• Let's talk about Davis Schneider. He was given a second chance when Daulton Varsho went down with the hamstring strain. He had a mixed day today. At the plate, he cracked a single down the line, struck out on the next turn at the plate and drew a walk. He made a bad throw after a diving stop on a ground ball. Schneider is going to have to play really well not to be optioned back when Varsho returns, and he could very well be the move Tuesday when Andres Gimenez is expected to come off the IL.
• The offense continues to find ways to come through. Today, it was a 6-run 8th-inning rally that lifted the Blue Jays to victory. Addison Barger started it off with a 3-run HR, homering for the 3rd straight game. Vlad drove in a pair and scored once. 
• Every Blue Jays starter had at least one hit and all but Bo Bichette and Jonatan Clase either scored a run or drove in a run
• The Blue Jays were 5-10 with runners in scoring position. 
• You have to feel for the A's, who have now lost 17 of 18 games. They are playing in a temporary stadium and will be moving in a couple of seasons to their new home in Las Vegas. It has to be hard on the A's players with that uncertainty and losing all the time. As bad as the Blue Jays have been, they've never endured a 100 loss season and, except for this year, the Blue Jays have been playing in the tough AL east division.
• Up next, after an off-day tomorrow, the Blue Jays continue the homestand against the Phillies, who won the season series last year 3-1, outscoring the Blue Jays 27-17. Bowden Francis starts against Phillies righty Zack Wheeler.

Game #58 Athletics (23-36) @ Toronto Blue Jays (30-28) - game recap

 

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George Springer hit a pair of solo home runs in an 8-7 win over the A's

After hanging on for another win in which the Blue Jays scored double digit runs, the Blue Jays were trying to extend the win streak to 4 games and notch their 7th series win of the season. Prior to the game, lefty Easton Lucas was recalled from AAA-all and righty Jose Urena was DFA'd. Braydon Fisher got the start with Ali Sanchez behind the plate. Jonatan Clase got the start in LF. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 4 games and notch their 7th series win of the season? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The A's opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Tyler Soderstrom hammered a 3-run bomb to dead center; alsl scoring Jacob Wilson and Brent Rooker 
• The Blue Jays got a pair back in the bottom half of the inning as Addison Barger annihilated a 2-run bomb to the second deck in right; also scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• Four batters, Nathan Lukes singled scoring George Springer and Daulton Varsho
• The A's retook the lead in the bottom of the 2nd as Denzel Clarke drilled a 2-run blast to the second deck to left; also scoring Luis Arias 
• Braydon Fisher pitching line: 1.1IP 4H 5R (all earned) 1BB 1K 35 pitches (23 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays tied it in the bottom half of the inning as Bo Bichette whacked a solo blast to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen
• The Blue Jays retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning as George Springer hammered a solo bomb to dead center
• A batter later, Daulton Varsho left the game in the bottom of the 3rd when he pulled his hamstring trying to stretch a double into a triple
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 5th as  Springer hammered a solo bomb to dead center
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 6th on a wild pitch by Gunnar Hoglund that scored Ernie Clement
• Gunnar Hoglund pitching line: 6IP 10H 8R (all earned) 2BB 1K 93 pitches (59 for strikes) 
• The A's got a pair back in the top of the 9th as Rooker hammered a 2-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Lawrence Butler
• Jeff Hoffman got the last 3 outs for his  13th save of the season.
• Final score: Blue Jays 8 Jays 7

My Take:

•  Braydon Fisher was roughed up for 5 runs on 4 hits and a wal while striking out 1 over 1.1 innings. It was another bullpen day, an occurrence expected to continue another month at least with Max Scherzer progressing in his thumb rehab, but with more hurdles to clear. Spencer Turnbull is still building up, and he is a wild card at best. Nobody has been able to take the proverbial bull by the horns and give the Blue Jays any more than 4-5 innings tops.
• The bullpen threw 6.2 shutout innings (allowing 5 hits, walking 3 and striking out 5) until Jeff Hoffman gave up a bomb to cut the lead to one run and then gave up a double. The only reason he didn't blow the save was thanks to a spectacular diving catch by Ernie Clement to end the game. Yariel Rodriguez was the only reliever to retire every batter he faced.
• You have to feel for Daulton Varsho, who missed the first few weeks of the season as he completed rehab on off-season shoulder surgery. Now, he's pulled his left hamstring, an injury that could require several weeks to heal if it's as bad as it looked on TV
• The offense continues to show consistency. They immediately responded to being down three runs with four of their own in the 1st inning. Bo Bichette is showing some power, hitting his 3rd home run in 4 games, George Springer went deep twice and Addison Barger reached the second deck in right for the second straight day. The old adage is true: hitting is contagious.
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 5 games and complete their 3rd sweep of the season and 3rd season series win. Kevin Gausman starts against A'S lefty JP Sears

Game #57 Athletics (23-35) @ Toronto Blue Jays (29-28) - game recap

 

Myles Straw drove in 2 runs and scored 3 times in an 11-7 win over the A's

After a massive 12-0 shutout over the A's, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 3 games and to get above the .500 mark. Anthony Santander was placed on the 10-day IL with right shoulder inflammation.  Alan Roden was recalled from AAA-ball. Chris Bassitt got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Myles Straw was in LF, Daulton Varsho was in CF and Nathan Lukes was in RF. Addison Barger was at the hot corner and Ernie Clement got the start at 2B

Game Highlights:

• The A's opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Tyler Soderstrom hammered a solo bomb to dead center 
• The Blue Jays tied it in the bottom half of the inning as Myles Straw singled scoring Ernie Clement
• Three batters later, Addison Barger was forced in on a bases loaded walk to Vladimir Guerrero Jr 
• A batter later,  Straw scored on a sac fly by George Springer 
• The A's for one back in the top of the 3rd as Jacob Wilson singled home Lawrence Butler
• The Blue jays added a run in the bottom half of the inning as Clement whacked a solo blast to left-center 
• Two batters later, Straw doubled scoring Barger
• A batter later,  Nathan Lukes sticked home Straw 
• Jeffrey Springs pitching line: 2IP 6H 6R (all earned) 6BB 2K 72 pitches (41 for strikes)
• The A's got one back in the top of the 4th as Shea Langeliers drilled a solo bomb to left-center 
• The A's got a pair back in the top of the 5th as Brent Rooker doubled scoring Denzel Clark and Butler
• The Blue jays added a run in the bottom half of the inning as Springer singled scoring Straw
• A batter later, Kirk singled scoring Guerrero Jr and Springer
• Chris Bassitt pitching line: 5IP 7H 5R (all earned) 2BB 6K  82 pitches (56 for strikes)
• The Blue jays added a run in the bottom of the 6th as Barger hammered a solo bomb to the second deck in right
• Three batters later Bo Bichette singled home Lukes
• The A's got one back in the top of the 9th as Clark singled scoring Miguel Andujar
• A batter later, Butler doubled scoring Butler
• Final score: Blue Jays 11 A's 7

My Take:

• Chris Bassitt battled through 5 innings, giving up 5 runs on 7 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6. He gave up runs in every inning but the 1st inning. The A's took him deep twice. This start was not Bassitt at his best, but he does seem to struggle against the A's for one reason or another.
• The bullpen gave up a pair of runs on 3 hits while walking 2 and striking out 2 over the last 4 innings. Mason Fluharty was the only reliever to retire every batter he faced
• Offesively, it was another team effort with every starter getting at least one hit and all but Daulton Varsho either scoring a run or driving in a run. The Blue Jays have had much better at-bats and it's showing on the scoreboard against a weaker A's ball club
• The Blue Jays made the right move putting Anthony Santander on the IL, but that should have been done a couple of weeks back after he missed time in Seattle
• The Blue Jays were 5-14 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 4 games and 8th series win of the season.

Game #56 Athletics (23-34) @ Toronto Blue Jays (28-28) - game recap

 

Ernie Clement drove in 5 runs in a 12-0 shutout win over the A's

After eking out a shutout win thanks to a clutch 2- run HR off the bat of Bo Bichette,  the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 2 games and get back to .500 as they began a 4-game series against the A's. The two squads split the season series last year, with the Blue Jays outscoring the A's 21-16. Ace Jose Berrios got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. George Springer got the half day off as DH with Anthony Santander in RF, Jonatan Clase in LF and Myles Straw in CF. Bo Bichette was back in the lineup at SS after the complete day off yesterday. Ernie Clement was at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays make it two wins in a row and get back to .500? Here is tonight's game recap. 

Game Highlights;

• The Blue jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Ernie Clement drilled a 3- run blast to left center; also scoring Alejandro Kirk and Anthony Santander
• Four batters later, Bo Bichette doubled scoring Jonatan Clase
• A batter later,  Vladimir Guerrero Jr hammered a 2-run bomb off the basing of the 3rd deck in left-center; also scoring Bichette
•  Four batters later, Clement doubled scoring George Springer and Kirk
• Jacob Lopez pitching line: 1.2IP 6H 7R (all earned) 1BB 0K 43 pitches (24 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 3rd as Bichette belted a 2-run jack to left; also scoring Clase
• Two batters later,  Springer whacked a solo blast to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen
• Jose Berrios pitching line: 6IP 2H 0R 2BB 9K 90 pitches (57 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 7th on a sac fly by Kirk that scored Addison Barger
• Final score Blue Jays 12 A's 0

My Take:

• Jose Berrios pitched 6 solid shutout innings, giving up 2 hits, walking 2 and striking out 9. He retried the first 9 batters he faced. Berrios must have been thankful that he had such a big lead to work with. 
• The bullpen threw 3 shutout innings, giving up 2 hits, walking none and striking out 4. The big lead allowed the Blue Jays to avoid using their high leverage pitchers. 
• The offence did most of the damage in the 2nd and 3rd innings where they scored a combined 11 runs on 10 hits, and 3 walks. Ernie Clement drove in 5 runs in the 3rd inning
• Every Blue Jays starter reached base at least once and all but Anthony Santander had a hit and all but Michael Stefanic and Myles Straw either scored a run or drove in a run.
• The Blue Jays were 6-11 with runners in scoring position 
• Up next, the Blue Jays try for 3 straight wins and to get above .500. Chris Bassitt starts against A's lefty Jeffrey Springs