Game #49 San Diego Padres (27-21) @ Toronto Blue Jays (25-24) - game recap

Nathan Lukes drove in the winning run in a 7-6 extra innings comeback win over the Padres

After a massive 14 run shutout win,  the Blue Jays were going for their 3rd straight win,  2nd series sweep and to get over .500 for the first time since April 21. Bowden Francis got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate.  Anthony Santander got the complete day off after leaving last night's game with right hip inflammation. Daulton Varsho got the half day off as DH with Myles Straw in CF. Jonatan Clase was in LF and Nathan Lukes was in RF. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 3 games,  complete their 2nd series sweep and get above .500 for the first time since April 21? Here is today's game recap. 

Game Highlights:

• The Padres opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Gavin Sheets whacked a 2-run blast to right and into the Padres bullpen; also scoring Jackson Merrill
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 3rd on a fielder's choice hit by Daulton Varsho that scored Tyler Heineman. Sheets was charged with a fielding error on the play.
• A batter later,  Addison Bargerc singled scoring Bo Bichette 
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the 4th as Bichette singled scoring Jonatan Clase 
• Two batters later,  Heineman scored on a sac fly by Varsho 
• Bowden Francis pitching line: 4IP 3H 2R (both earned) 3BB 4K 77 pitches (47 for strikes)
• Stephen Kolek pitching line: 6IP 7H 4R (3 earned) 3BB 6K 92 pitches (58 for strikes)
• The Padres tied it up in the top of the 9th as Sheets hammered a 2-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Merrill
• The Padres took the lead in the top of the 10th as Luis Arraez singled scoring Jose Iglesias 
• The Blue Jays tied it up in the bottom half of the inning as Clase singled scoring Nathan Lukes
• The Padres took the lead in the top of the 11th as Sheets singled scoring Manny Machado
• The Blue Jays tied it up in the bottom half of the inning as Varsho tripled scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• Three batters later, Lukes singled home Varsho
• Final score: Blue Jays 7 Padres 6 (11 innings)

My Take:

• Bowden Francis gave the Blue Jays 4 innings today, giving up a pair of runs on 3 hits while walking 3 and striking out 4. The Blue Jays are already trying to figure out how to get through a game every 5th game. Having a starter only make it through 4 or 5 innings not only effects the bullpen on that day,  but it also puts more pressure on kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt and Jose Berrios to have a good start on their next turn and pitch deep into the game. Max Scherzer, assuming no setbacks, is several weeks from being ready to pitch. Spencer Turnbull is currently building up in the minor league system.  Neither Alek Manoah nor Rickey Tiederman will be ready to return from Tommy John surgery until after the all star break.  It's imperative that Francis figure things out because there are not any viable options to start at the moment. 
• The bullpen gave up 4 runs on 5 hits while walking 1 and striking out 7 over the last 6 innings. Jeff Hoffman blew his 3rd ssve of the season when Gavin Sheets took him deep in the 9th inning. You have to wonder if Hoffman is playing hurt. Braydon Fisher was credited with the win for getting the last out of the 11th inning
• The offense refused to let the Blue Jays lose, coming back three times (twice in extra innings). It was another team effort with every starter except Ernie Clement and Myles Straw either scoring a run or driving in a run. All but Vlad, Clement and Straw had a hit
• The team seems to have a better approach, at least lately, with getting timely hits. The Blue Jays were 6-21 with runners in scoring position. 
• Up next, the Blue Jays head south for a 3-game weekend series in Tampa Bay. The Rays are playing at the Yankees spring training facility since Tropicana Field's roof was badly damaged by a hurricane. The Rays won the series in Toronto a week ago, outscoring the Blue Jays 20-15. Eric Lauer starts against Rays righty Drew Rasmussen.

-Game #48 San Diego Padres (27-20) @ Toronto Blue Jays (24-24) - game recap

 

Daulton Varsho hit a grand slam in a 14-0 shutout win over the Padres

After a shutout win over the Padres on the strength of home runs off the bats of Vladdy and Anthony Santander, the Blue Jays were going for their 2nd straight win, to get back to .500 and to notch their 6th series win of the season. Kevin Gausman got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. The rest of the lineup was the same as yesterday's win. Could the Blue Jays make it 2 straight wins, notch their 6th series win of the season and get back to .500? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 5th as Nathan Lukes drilled a 2-run blast to right; also scoring Ernie Clement
• Randy Vasquez pitching line: 4.2IP 4H 2R (both earned) 0BB 4K 73 pitches (46 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 7th on a fielder's choice hit by Bo Bichette that scored Addison Barger. Lukes was out at 2B on the play
• A batter later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled home Clement
• Two batters later, George Springer singled scoring Bichette. Padres 3B. Manny Machado was charged with a throwing error on the play
• Two batters later, Jonatan Clase doubled scoring Guerrero Jr. and Springer
• Kevin Gausman pitching line: 7IP 3H 0R 0BB 9K 92 pitches (64 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 8th as Bichette singled home Clement
• Two batters later, Daulton Varsho hammered a grand slam to dead center; also scoring Bichette, Lukes and Michael Stefanic
• Four batters later, Barger doubled scoring Springer
• A batter later, Clement singled home Clase
• Final score: Blue Jays Padres 0

My Take:

• Kevin Gausman fired 7 shutout innings, scattering 3 hits, walking none and striking out 9. He had out streaks of 7 and 9 batters and retired the last 4 batters he faced. The most important stat of this start was the 7 innings pitched. The starting pitchers have not been pitching past 6 innings and the Blue Jays have been having a bullpen day once a week. I might have even ran Gausman out one more inning, but then again, the Blue Jays offence had a long inning in the 7th inning
• Jose Urena pitched the final 2 inings, allowing 2 hits, walking none and striking out 1. It looks like he will have a multiple inning role in the bullpen and could be the opener on bullpen days.
• The offence exploded for a season-high 14 runs, all scored in the latter half of the game. In fact, in the first 4 innings, the Blue Jays managed 2 base runners (a single by Nathan Lukes in the 3rd inning and George Springer was hit by a pitch an inning later). The whole team contributed to the onslaught with every starter but Alejandro Kirk getting a hit and all but Kirk and Anthony Santander either scoring a run or driving in a run
• The Blue Jays were 7-15 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 3 games, complete their 2nd sweep of the season and to get above .500 for the first time since April 21. Bowden Francis starts against Padres righty Stephen Kolek

Game #47 San Diego Padres (27-19) @ Toronto Blue Jays (23-24) - game recap

 

Chris Bassitt threw 6 shutout innings in a 3-0 shutout win over the Padres

After an off-day yesterday, the Blue Jays opened up a 3-game set against the Padres. The Blue Jays won the season series last year, outscoring the Padres 13-9. Chris Bassitt got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Nathan Lukes was in LF and George Springer was in RF. The rest of the lineup was the same as Sunday's loss. Could the Blue Jays start the week with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. whacked a solo blast to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen
• The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 5th as Anthony Santander smacked a 2-run blast to right; also scoring Alejandro Kirk 
• Chris Bassitt pitching line: 6IP 4H 0R 1BB 6K 100 pitches (64 for strikes)
• Dylan Cease pitching line: 7IP 3H 3R (all earned) 1BB 6K 100 pitches (61 for strikes)
• Jeff Hoffman pitched a perfect 9th for his 10th save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 3 Padres 0

My Take:

• Chris Bassitt threw 6 shutout innings, scattering 4 hits, walking 1 and striking out 6. The Padres are one of the better hitting teams in the league so it was nice to see him handle the lineup so well. At one point, he moved Ernie Clement over and the ball went right to him for an easy out. In the 1st inning, he struck out both Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill after giving up a double to Luis Arraez, who flirted with a .400 average a couple of years ago. Bassitt had an out streak of 7 outs in a row.
• The bullpen allowed just one hit while walking none and striking out 2 over the last 3 innings. Yariel Rodriguez and Jeff Hoffman both retired every batter they faced
• The Blue Jays got home runs from Vlad and Anthony Santander and that was the difference in the game
• The Blue Jays were 0-1 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try for 2 straight wins, to get back to a .500 record and to notch their 6th series win of the season. Kevin Gausman starts against Padres righty Randy Vasquez

Game #22 - Toronto Blue Jays (12-10) @ San Diego Padres (12-12) - game recap

 

Davis Schneider hit a solo HR and drove in a second run in a losing effort as the Padres came from behind to double up the Blue Jays 6-3

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After a solid win by the Blue Jays thanks to a three-run HR and key insurance run from the red-hot Daulton Varsho, as well as lights out pitching from ace Jose Berrios and closer Jordan Romano, the Blue Jays were going for their 3rd straight win and 1st series sweep of the season. Chris Bassitt got the start with Danny Jansen behind the plate. Ernie Clement was at the hot corner and Davis Schneider got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to three games and complete their first sweep of the season? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Padres opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Manny Machado singled scoring Jake Cronenworth. George Springer was charged with a fielding error on the play
• The Blue Jays tied it up in the top of the 2nd as Davis Schneider belted a solo jack to left-center
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 3rd as Ernie Clement hammered a solo bomb to the second deck in left
• The Padres tied it up in the bottom half of the inning as Xander Bogaerts whacked a solo blast to left-center
• The Padres took the lead in the bottom of the 6th on a bases loaded walk to Luis Campusano that forced in Jurickson Profar
• A batter later, Ha-Seong Kim scored on a catcher's interference call against Danny Jansen on a ball hit by Tyler Wade
• Chris Bassitt pitching line: 5.1 IP 6H 4R (3 earned) 3BB 4K 93 pitches (56 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 7th on a ground out hit by Schneider that scored Justin Turner
• Joe Musgrowe pitching line: 7IP 5H 3R 0BB 3K 99 pitches (67 for strikes)
• The Padres added a run in the bottom of the 8th on a bases loaded walk to Bogaerts that forced in Profar
• A batter later, Kim scored on a sac fly by Fernando Tatis Jr.
• Robert Suarez pitched a scoreless 9th for his 7th save of the season
• Final score: Padres 6 Blue Jays 3

My Take:

• Chris Bassitt battled through 5.1 innings, giving up 4 runs (3 earned,  and 2 after he left the ball game) on 6 hits while walking 3 and striking out 4. He got himself out of a bases loaded jam in the 1st inning by picking off Jurickson Profar at 2nd base. That started a streak of five straight outs that ended when Xander Bogaerts took him yard in the 3rd inning. Bassitt got fortunate to escape a second bases loaded jam in the 5th inning when Davis Schneider made a great leaping grab on a liner that had two runs written all over it. Unfortunately, Trevor Richards allowed both inherited runners to score. It seems like this then through the rotation will feature starters battling to pitch with less than their best stuff. 
• The bullpen was unable to do its job today.  It started with Trevor Richards allowing both inherited runners to score when he gave up two walks. To be fair,  he should have been out of the inning with just a one run deficit but Danny Jansen got a bit too close to the batter and was called for catcher interference. Nate Pearson was fortunate this one didn't turn into a blowout. After he walked in a run,  Pearson left a pitch right down the middle and Fernando Tatis Jr. just missed a grand slam. Instead, it went for a loud out and an easy sac fly. Pearson and Richards walked a  combined 6 batters over the last 2.2 innings. Both the threw over 30 pitches and likely won't be available for the series opener in Kansas City tomorrow
• Davis Schneider was the offensive hero today, driving in two, including himself on a solo HR. Ernie Clement gave the Blue Jays a brief lead in the 2nd inning with a no-doubter. After that home run, ten of the next twelve Blue Jays were retired and Musgrowe faced the minimum in that time span thanks to Bo Bichette getting caught stealing and Vlad hitting into an inning ending double play
• The Blue Jays were 0-2 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays continue the road trip in Kansas City. The Blue Jays win 6 of the 7 games in last year's season series, outscoring the Royals 33-20. Yusei Kikuchi starts against Royals righty Brady Singer.

Game #21 - Toronto Blue Jays (12-9) @ San Diego Padres (11-12) - game recap

 

Daulton Varsho hit a 3-run HR in the 1st innung and later scored an insurance run to lead the Blue Jays to a 5-2 win over the Pardres

After a solid win yesterday thanks to 4-run 2nd inning and a solid pitching performance from Yariel Rodriguez, the Blue Jays were going for two straight wins, their 3rd series win and 2nd season series win/. The Blue Jays traded Mitch White, who was DFA'd a few days ago, to the San Francisco Giants for cash consideration. White ends his Blue Jays career with a 1-6  record and a 7.26 ERA in 24 games (8 starts) over parts of three seasons. Nate Pearson was recalled with Chad Green headed to the 15-day IL with a right teres major strain. Ace Jose Berrios got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. George Springer was back in the lineup and in RF after a complete daty off yesterday. Cavan Biggio was at 2B. Could the Blue Jays make it two straight wins and notch their 3rd series win and 2nd season series win of the season? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Daulton Varsho drilled a 3- run bomb to right; also scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr.  and Bo Bichette
• Padres LF Jurickson Profar and Padres manager Mike Shildt were both ejected at the end of the 1st inning after Rofar was tossed for an angry outburst where he threw his bat to the ground after being rung up on a borderline strike.  
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 2nd on a wild pitch by Randy Vasquez that scored Kevin Kiermaier
• Randy Vasquez pitching line: 5IP 5H 4R (1 earned) 1BB 3K 97 pitches (59 for strikes)
• Jose Berrios pitching line: 6IP 5H 0R 2BB 6K 91 pitches (63 for strikes)
• The Padres got one back in the bottom of the 7th on a ground out hit by Xander Bogaerts that scored Luis Campusano
• The Padres got one back in the bottom of the 8th as Ha-Seong Kim singled scoring Jose Azocar
• The Bue Jays added a run in the top of the 9th as Ernie Clement singled scoring Varsho
• Jordan Romano threw a perfect 9th for his 2nd save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 5 Padres 2

My Take:

• Jose Berrios not at his best is still the best pitcher in the game bar none. He threw 6 shutout innings tonight, giving up 5 hits and walking 2 while striking out 6. He got out off three separate jams with multiple base runners on, including the 5th inning when the Padres had the bases loaded with 2 outs. Berrios retired seven in a row at one point. He's been the team's best pitcher by far. 
• The bullpen had some mixed results. Genesis Cabrera was only able to retire one of the three batters he faced and ceded a run.Yimi Garcia and Jordan Romano were both excellent, retiring every batter they faced. Erik Swanson got into a jam and had a run scored on him on 3 hits. Swanson and Romano are both fresh off the IL and Romano looks like he is getting back in form, while Swanson is trying to work through some things.
• Daulton Varsho remains red hot. He gave the Blue Jays an early lead in the 1st inning, going yard to right for three runs. He later scored to add a key insurance run. Here's hoping he's not this season's Matt Chapman (the ex-Blue Jays third baseman is notorious for hitting well in April, not not so much in the other months of  the season) Vlad was the only other Blue Jay with multiple hits tonight
• The Blue Jays were 2-10 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 3 games and complete their 1st sweep of the season. Chris Bassitt starts against Padres righty Joe Musgrove

Game #97 - San Diego Padres (46-51) @ Toronto Blue Jays (54-43) - game recap

 

Santiago Espinal scored twice in a 4-0 shutout win over the Padres

After a tough shutout loss,  ruining a solid start by Jose Berrios, the Blue Jays were looking to snap the 2-game skid, avoid being swept for the 4th time this season and end the homestand with a win. Chris Bassitt got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday.  George Springer got the half day off as DH today with Jordan Luplow in RF. Whit Merrifield was in LF and Santiago Espinal was at 2B.  Could the Blue Jays snap the 2-game skid, avoid being swept for the 4th time and end the homestand on a winning note? Here is today's game recap. 

Game #95 - San Diego Padres (45-50) @ Toronto Blue Jays (53-42) - game recap

 

Matt Chapman drove in the only Blue Jays run in a 9-1 loss to the Padres

After an off-day yesterda, the Blue Jays continued their two-week stretch of games against west coast teams with a three game set against the Padres that began tonight in Toronto, In 2019, the Padres won the season series 2-1, outscoring the Blue Jays 26-17. Alek Manoah got the start with Danny Jansen behind the plate. Daulton Varsho was in LF and Whit Merrifield was at 2B. Brandon Belt served as DH. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 5 games and start the week with a win? Here is tonight's game recap. 

Game #53 San Diego Padres (28-25) @ Toronto Blue Jays (21-32) - game recap

Justin Smoak had a pair of HR and 5RBI as the Blue Jays trounced the Padres 10-1

A day after being clobbered by the Padres, who set a new franchise record with 7 HR, the Blue Jays were looking to wrap up the homestand with a victory. This game was supposed to feature three of the great young prospects: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Cavan Biggio facing Padres righty Chris Paddack, but Paddack was a late scratch with a stiff neck. Eric Sogard was back in the lineup and batting leadoff after a few days off to rest his ailing thumb. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. got the half day off serving as the DH today. Could the Blue Jays avoid being swept? Prior to this one, Tim Mayza was put on the IL with a UCL issue. Here is today\s game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Lourdes Gurriel Jr. scored on a fielder's choice hit by Brandon Drury 
• Robbie Erlin pitching line: 2IP 3H 1R (earned) 1BB 2K 41 pitches (21 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 4th as Gurriel Jr. crushed a solo bomb to left
• A batter later, Cavan Biggo hammered his first career HR off the right foul pole
• The Padres got one back in the top of the 5th as Wil Myers annihilated one to the second deck in left-center
• The Blue Jays got a pair of runs in the bottom of the 5th as Justin Smoak smoked a 2-run bomb to right center also scoring Eric Sogard
• Three batters later, Gurriel Jr. doubled home Randal Grichuk
• A batter later, Biggio singled scoring Gurriel Jr.
• Marcus Stroman pitching line: 5IP 5H 1R (earned) 1BB 2K 89 pitches (53 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a trio of runs in the bottom of the 8th as Smoak smoked a 3-run bomb to right also scoring Drury and Guerrero Jr.
• Final score: Blue Jays 10 Padres 1 

My Take:

• Marcus Stroman had a solid outing giving up 1 run on 5 hits and a walk over five innings. I'm guessing Montoyo pulled Stroman a tad early for a couple of reasons. First, in both his last 2 starts, he threw over 100 pitches. Second, when Montoyo allowed Stroman to go out an extra inning, the opponent knocked him around. Stroman needs to learn that Montoyo is the boss and not have a hissy fit. 
• The bats came out and in a big way. The Blue Jays pounded 17 hits, scoring 10 times. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was a triple shy of the cycle. Vlad was 3-5, Biggio was 3-5, including his first carrer HR, Smoak unleashed separate three-run and two-run HR. Everyone in the lineup had at least one hit except Freddy Galvis and Danny Jansen.
• A day after a horrendous performance, the bullpen shut down the Padres offence, limiting them to 5 hits over the game's final 4 innings.
• Up next, the Blue Jays head to Tampa Bay for a matinee. Aaron Sanchez gets the start against the infamous Rays starter (probably Ryne Stanek or Yonny Chirnos).

Game #52 San Diego Padres (28-24) @ Toronto Blue Jays (20-32) - game recap

Wil Myers was 2-2 with 4 runs scored and 4RBI as the Padres routed the Blue Jays 19-4

An intriguing pitching matchup for this one. Ex-Jays reliever Paul Quantrill's son, Cal Quantrill was ob the bump to start for the Padres against wily veteran Edwin Jackson, making his third start in a Blue Jays uniform. In an intriguing move, Cavan Biggio was moved up one spot in the batting order, batting 7th instead of 8th. Luke Maile got the start behind the plate.Could the Blue Jays even the weekend series? Here is today's game recap.

Game #51 San Diego Padres (27-24) @ Toronto Blue Jays (20-31) - game recap

Hunter Renfroe cranked a three-run HR in the top of the 8th as the Padres doubled up on the Blue Jays 6-3

It was another big day for the Blue Jays rebuild project 2019. Cavan Biggio, son of Craig Biggio, made his big league debut batting 8th and playing second base. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. also returned to the Blue Jays lineup -- in the outfield. I'm really hoping Gurriel Jr. doesn't go the way of Chuck Knoblauch, who like Gurriel Jr. experienced the yips on defense, including a stint in the outfield. Billy McKinney and Richard Urena were both optioned to Buffalo. Ryan Feierabend was DFA'd after two suboptimal outings. Elvis Luciano was placed on the bereavement list, and waiver wire pickup, lefty Zac Rosscup was placed on the roster. Finally, Thomas Pannone was also called back up. The Padres also recalled their #9 prospect, fellow Canadian Josh Naylor, who was DH'ing and batting 6th tonight. Could the Blue Jays take the opener of this weekend series Here is today's game recap.

#51 - San Diego Padres (26-24) at Toronto Blue Jays (20-30)

Friday, May 24, 2019 | 7:07 pm

Rogers Centre | Toronto, ON

Joey Lucchesi (3-3, 4.28, 1.26) vs. Trent Thornton (1-4, 4.41, 1.29)

PREAMBLE:

The Blue Jays open a three-game series against the San Diego Padres, who will be making their first visit to Toronto since 2016 when the Jays won two out of three.  The Jays are coming off a series where they lost 3 of 4 to the Red Sox while the Padres swept the Diamondbacks.

Trent Thornton looks to build upon the momentum of a few solid starts of late, and will butt heads with Joey Lucchesi, a left-hander for the Padres.