Passionate discussions about the Toronto Blue Jays with a large dose of analytics, dog/cat gifs, and music videos.
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Monday, August 2, 2021
Game #103 Cleveland Indians (52-51) @ Toronto Blue Jays (54-49) - game recap
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. smashed a 2-run bomb in a 5-2 loss in extra innings to the Indians
After sweeping the Royals in the their first series back in Toronto, the Blue Jays opened a four-game series against the Indians beginning with a holiday Monday matinee. The Blue Jays took 2 of 3 against the Indians (aka giuardians in 2022)) in Cleveland back at the end of May. John Axford was traded to the Brewers for cash. Robbie Ray got the start. Bo Bichette got the half day off as DH with Cavan Biggio at 2B (his original position). Alejandro Krk was behind the plate after the day off yesterday. Vlad was back in the field after the complete day off yesterday. George Springer was back in CF after DH'ing yesterday. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. got the complete day off with Teoscar Hernandez in LF. Randal Grichuk was in RF after playing in CF yesterday. Could the Blue Jays make it five straight wins? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Indians opened the scoring in the top of the 3rd as Harold Ramirez singled scoring Myles Straw. Randal Grichuk threw a strike to Alejandro Kirk to nail Amed Rosario, who tried to score from 2nd base
- A batter later, Oscar Mercado singled home Franmil Reyes
- The Blue Jays tied the game in the bottom of the 6th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. smashed a 2-run blast to left; also scoring George Springer
- Robbie Ray pitching line: 6IP 6H 2R (both earned) 3BB 4K 109 pitches (66 for strikes)
- Eli Morgan pitching line; 6IP5H 2R (both earned) 1BB 9K 92 pitches (62 for strikes)
- The Indians took the lead in the top of the 10th as Rosario singled scoring Straw
- A batter later, Jose Ramirez drilled a 2-run bomb off the facing of the 4th deck; also scoring Rosario
- Emmanuel Clase pitched a perfect 10th for his 14th save of the season
- Final score: Indians 5 Blue Jays 2
My Take:
- Robbie Ray battled through 6 innings, giving up a pair of runs on 6 hits while walking 3 and striking out 4. A great defensive play kept the damage to 2 runs against. He got stronger as the game went on and retired the final 6 batters he faced.
- The bullpen pitched solidly, at least through the 9th inning. Brad Hand laid an egg and allowed 3 runs (2 earned as the runner that starts the extra inning(s) on 2nd base counts as an unearned run). Right off the bat, Hand threw a wild pitch that advanced Myles Straw, who scored on a single by Rosario. Hand then gave up a moonshot to Blue Jays killer Jose Ramirez. Looks like Pete Walker has some work to do on the Blue Jays latest pet project. Joakim Soria made his Blue Jays debut retiring all three batters he faced and striking out 1
- It seems a complete and half day off respectively did wonders for Vlad and George Springer who combined to score both runs on the day and 2/3 of the Blue Jays hits.
- Alejandro Kirk, battling to keep his job when Danny Jansen returns from the latest hamstring strain, doubled and struck out three times. He was also unable to handle a wild pitch thrown by Hand. Reese McGuire got his chance to shine aas pinch runner in the 10th for Kirk. He had no chance to advance with Cavan Biggio lining out, Springer grounding out to 3B and Vlad ending the game bouncing out to the pitcher
- The Blue Jays were 0-4 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to even the series as ace Hyun-Jin Ryu takes to the bump against Indians righty (and nephew of ex-Jays reliever Dan Plesac) Zach Plesac
Sunday, August 1, 2021
Game #102 Kansas City Royals (45-59) @ Toronto Blue Jays (54-48) - game recap
After shutting out the Royals last night, the Blue Jays were looking ro complete the sweep and make it four wins in a row. Jose Berrios and Joakim Soria joined the team and were active for the game (Berrios got his first start as a Blue Jay). Thomas Hatch and Taylor Saucedo were optioned to AAA. Reese McGuire got the start behind the plate. Vlad got the whole day off. George Springer gotte half day off, serving as DH with Lourdes Gurriel Jr. in LF, Randal Grichuk in CF and Teoscar Hernandez in RF. Cavan Biggio got the start at 1B. Could the Blue Jays complete the sweep and make it 4 wins in a row? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 3rd as George Springer doubled home Reese McGuire. Springer was tagged out on the play trying to advance to 3rd base.
- Two batters later, Marcus Semien drilled a 2-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Teoscar Hernandez
- Brad Keller pitching line: 3IP 7H 3R (all earned) 0BB 3K 51 pitches (33 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 4th as Marcus Semien smashed a solo bomb to left-center
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 5th on a bases loaded walk to Semien that forced in Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
- Jose Berrios pitching line: 6IP 5H 0R 1BB 7K 95 pitches (64 for strikes)
- The Royals got one back in the top of the 9th as Edward Olivares whacked a solo blast to left
- Final score: Blue Jays 5 Royals 1
My Take:
- Jose Berrios was excellent in his Blue Jays debut, throwing 6 shutout innings, scattering 5 hits while walking 1 and striking out 7. His command could use a little fine tuning as he hit three batters. Overall a nice debut by the righty.
- The bullpen did a decent job, striking out 5, although Tim Mayza did allow a solo shot to break the shutout bid.
- The Vladless line up did a fine job with everyone, but his replacement at 1B, Cavan Biggio getting one hit. Everyone but Bo Bichette, Teoscar Hernandez and Marcus Semien drew at least one walk.
- Despite all the base runners, the Blue Jays were 0-2 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays open a series against the Indians. The Blue Jays won 2 of the 3 games in Cleveland and have outscored the Indians 20-9. Monday's game features Robbie Ray pitching against Indians righty Eli Morgan.
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