Game #24 Atlanta Braves (12-14) @ Toronto Blue Jays (12-12) - game recap

 

Alejandro Kirk had his first multi-HR game of his career in a 13-5 rout over the Atlanta Braves

After a tough loss to earn the series split to Washington, the Blue Jays welcomed the Braves for a weekend series in Dunedin. Last season, the Braves won 2/3 games in the season series and outscored the Blue Jays 15-6. Tonight was a battle of veteran lefties with Drew Smyly pitching against Blue Jays southpaw Robbie Ray. Teoscar Hernandez returned to the lineup in RF after missing 16 games with a bout of COVID-19. Jonathan Davis was option to the alt. squad. Tanner Roark was DFA'd. Nate Pearson was activated from the IL yesterday but will do a rehab assignment in the minors first. George Springer was in the leadoff spot serving as the DH, as he continues to work his way back to full health from a nagging quad strain. Alejandro Kirk got the start as Ray's personal catcher. Randal Grichuk was in CF. Espinal Santiago got the start at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays open the weekend with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 3rd as Randal Grichuk hammered a 2-run bomb to right-center also scoring George Springer 
• The Blue Jays added two runs in the bottom of the 4th as Alejandro Kirk hammered a 2-run bomb to left-center; also scoring Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 5th as Randal Grichuk whacked a solo blast down the left field line
• Four batters later, Kirk annihilated a two-run bomb to dead center also scoring Marcus Semien
• Drew Smyly pitching line: 4IP 7H 6R (5 earned) 4BB 3K 84 pitches (46 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added three runs in the bottom of the 6th as Teoscar Hernandez hammered a 3-run bomb to dead center also scoring Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• The Braves got a pair back in the top of the 7th as Ozzie Albies cranked a 2-run blast to left-center; also scoring Marcell Ozuna
• Robbie Ray pitching line: 6.2IP 5H 2R (both earned) 0BB 5K 95 pitches (68 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 7th on a wild pitch by Sean Newcombe that scored Santiago Espinal
• A batter later, Guerrero Jr. singled scoring Kirk 
• The Braves got one back in the top of the 8th as Freddie Freeman singled scoring Ehlre Adrianza
• A batter later, Ozuna singled scoring Alex Jackson and Ronald Acuna
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom half of the inning as Gurriel Jr. cranked a solo blast to left-center 
• Final score: Blue Jays 13 Braves 5

My Take:

• Robbie Ray had a strong start, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits while walking none and striking out 5 over 6.2 innings. At one point, Ray retired 13 batters in a row. The only inning he got in trouble was the 7th where he allowed his only two runs on a 2-run HR and 2 other hits.
• It was a home run fest right from the get-go. Thirteen of the combined eighteen runs came courtesy of the long ball. Alejandro Kirk had the first multi-home run game of his career and drove in four runs. Teoscar Hernandez, in his first game back after batting COVID-19, hammered a 3-run bomb. Bo Bichette got it started with a 2-run shot of his own. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Randal Grichuk both had solo shots
• Every Blue Jays hitter but Marcus Semien had at least one hit. Semien drew a walk and scored
• George Springer is finding his stroke as well. He got his first hit as a Blue Jay, leading off the game with a single. He also drew a pair of walks and scored his first run as a Blue Jay on Bichette's HR,
• A bit unfortunate that the Blue Jays had to use three relievers to get the final 8 outs, especially with tomorrow expected to be a bullpen day. Unfortunately Ryan Borucki was knocked around, giving up 3 runs on 2 hits while walking 2 and striking out one and only managing 2 outs in the 6 batters he faced.
• Despite putting up 13 runs, the Blue Jays could have had many more runs. They were 4-13 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays continue the weekend series vs. the Braves. It will be another 7:37EDT start time. Charlie Morton will be starting for the Braves and the Blue Jays will likely turn to one of Ttent Thornton or David Phelps to be the opener in a bullpen day 

Game #24: The Boys Are Back in Town! braves @ jays

Game #23 Washington Nationals (9-12) @ Toronto Blue Jays (11-12) - game recap

 

George Springer made his Blue Jays regular season debut in an 8-2 rout loss to the Nationals

After a huge come from behind win, the Blue Jays were looking to sweep the mini two game set with the Nationals. George Springer made his long-anticipated debut after recovering from oblique and quad strains. Springer was signed to a huge $150-million 6-year deal in the off-season. Hyun-jin Ryu was placed on the 10-day IL with a glut strain suffered in his start Sunday vs. the Rays. Hopefully he only misses one start because the Blue Jays are super thin in the pitching department and already have a couple of bullpen days a week. Rowdy Tellez was optioned to the alt. squad with Springer expected to DH a lot in the early going as he continues to work his way back to full health. Steven Matz got the start and was looking to improve to 5-0. He's looked excellent in his first 3 starts. Danny Jansen was back behind the plate after the day off yesterday. The rest of the lineup was the same as yesterday. Could the Blue Jays make it three wins in a row? Here is tonight's game recap

Game Highlights:

• The Nationals opened the scoring in the top of the 3rd as Ryan Zimmerman singled home Victor Robles and Trea Turner
• A batter later, Starlin Castro singled scoring Josh Harrison
• The Nationals added 3 runs in the top of the 4th on three run bomb to dead center by Harisson; also scoring Robles and Turner
• Steven Matz pitching line: 32IP 8H 6R (all earned) 1BB 2K 80 pitches (54 for strikes)
• The Nationals added a pair of runs in the top of the 5th as Josh Bell hammered a opposite-field 2-run bomb to left; also scoring Kyle Schwarber
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Lourdes Gurriel Jr. whacked a solo blast to right
• Erick Fedde pitching line: 6IP 2H 1R (earned) 3BB 7K 98 pitches (59 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 8th as Bo Bichette annihilated a solo bomb off the scoreboard in left
• Final score: Nationals 8 Blue Jays 2

My Take:

• It was not a good night for Steven Matz, who was knocked around for 6 runs on 8 hits, while walking 1 and striking out 2. He also hit Josh Bell to load the bases in the 3rd inning. He pitched in and out of trouble in every inning but the 2nd when he had a clean 1-2-3 inning. Hopefully he bounces back next start because the Blue Jays need starters to eat innings.
• George Springer finally made his regular season debut after missing the first 22 games with oblique and quad strains. Springer was just days away from making his debut when he injured his quad while running the bases. While Springer was 0-4 in his debut, he made contact in every AB. It might take a few games for him to get his timing back. Batting practice is vastly different from playing a game.
• Danny Jansen's hitless streak was extended to 0-34. His last hit was a double April 7 against Texas. With few catching options, the best the Blue Jays can really do is give more playing time to Alejandro Kirk. The Blue Jays could send Jansen to the minors if he has options left. Jansen is under Blue Jay control until 2025 when he becomes a free agent
• The Blue Jays were 0-3 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, after an off-day tomorrow, the Blue Jays begin a weekend series against the Braves. Atlanta won 2 of the 3 games in the season series last year and outscored the Blue Jays 15-6. Robbie Ray gets the start Friday against an unannounced Braves starter.

Game #23. Spring(er) has sprung! Nats @ Jays

 

Game #22 Washington Nationals (8-12) @ Toronto Blue Jays (11-11) - game recap

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit three HR, including a grand slam in a 9-5 come-from behind victory over the Nationals 

After an off-day yesterday, the Blue Jays opened a mini 2-game series with the Washington Nationals. Last season, the Blue Jays were supposed to play a home and home 4-game series. Due to Buffalo needing renovations to meet MLB standards and COVID protocols and the border closed, all four games were played in Washington, but the Blue Jays were considered the home team in the latter 2 games. The Blue Jays and Nationals split the 4 games with the "home" team winning all 4 games. The Blue Jays outscored the Nationals 13-12. Tonight, the Blue Jays faced Nats ace Max Scherzer. Scherzer allowed just three hits over 7.1 innings his start against the Blue Jays last season. He earned a no-decision that day. It was a bullpen day for the Blue Jays as they continue to deal with a rash of injuries to their pitching staff. Trent Thornton got the ball first. Alejandro Kirk got the start behind the plate. Joe Panik was at the hot corner. George Springer was not activated tonight as his quad is becoming a nagging issue. Marcus Semien was back at 2B after playing SS Sunday. Bo Bichette was back at SS after serving as DH Sunday. Cavan Biggio was in LF and batted leadoff. Rowdy Tellez served as the DH today. Could the Blue Jays make it three straight wins? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Nationals opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as leadoff hitter Trea Turner lined a screamer over the wall in left
• The Nationals added a run in the top of the 3rd as Turner whacked a solo blast to left-center
• Trent Thornton pitching line: 2.1IP 3H 2R (both earned) 0BB 2K 42 pitches (26 for strikes)
• A batter later, Yadiel Hernandez smacked a solo shot to left-center 
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hammered a grand slam to left-center; also scoring Alejandro Kirk, Cavan Biggio and Bo Bichette
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 4th as Joe Panik scored on a fielding error by Josh Harrison on a ball hit by Kirk 
• A batter later, Kirk scored on a sac fly by Biggio
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 5th as Guerrero Jr. annihilated a solo bomb to dead center 
• Max Scherzer pitching line: 5IP 8H 7R (5 earned) 2BB 5K 86 pitches (54 for strikes)
• The Nationals got a pair back in the top of the 8th as Ryan Zimmerman knocked a 2-run shot to right; also scoring Hernandez
• The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning as Guerrero Jr. whacked a 2-run opposite field shot to right also scoring Bichette
• Final score: Blue Jays 9 Nationals 5
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My Take:

• The Blue Jays went with the opener again and it didn't work out great, at least to start. Trent Thronton gave up a couple of solo HR, including one to the 1st batter of the game. Tommy Milone followed Thornton and the first batter he faced took him yard. I've never been a fan of using an opener. Call me a traditionalist, but I like the old days where pitchers pitched 7 or so every night and faced the lineup 3 times. Sadly, the norm now is to maybe throw 5 or 6 innings. Bullpens used to have 6 or 7 pitchers. Now, they have nine pitchers, who typically throw a couple of innings at most. Roster sizes are still the same, but now there are three bench players available.
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a HUGE night with 3 HR (including a grand slam off Max Scherzer), and 7RBI. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the first player age 22 or younger with 3 career Grand Slams since Alex Rodriguez.
• Every Blue Jays starter got on base at least once, except Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
• Tommy Milone was credited with his first win in a Blue Jays uniform, pitching an inning.
• Up next, the Blue Jays and Nats finish off this quick 2-game series. Steven Matz gets the start against Nationals righty Erick Fedde