Game #131- Toronto Blue Jays (72-59) @ Pittsburgh Pirates (49-83) - game recap

 

Bo Bichette scored a run and drove in 3 runs in a 4-1 come-from-behind win over the Pirates

After a shutout win last night on the back of 7.1 stellar innings from Alec Manoah and clutch 2-run hits from Santiago and Bo Bichette, the Blue Jays were going for their 2nd win in a row, 9th season series win snd 20th series win of the season. Today was a bullpen day with Trevor Richards pitching first. Veteran catcher Danny Jansen was behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday. George Springer got the half day off as DH with Raimel Tapia in CF. Could the Blue Jays notch their 2nd win in a row, 20th series win and 9th season series win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• Trevor Richards pitching line: 2IP 1H 0R 0BB 3K 25 pitches (17 for strikes)
• The Pirates opened the scoring in the bottom of the 3rd as Oneil Cruz tripled home Jason Delay 
• The Blue Jays tied the game in the top of the 4th on a ground out by Raimel Tapia that scored Bo Bichette 
• Roansy Contreras pitching line: 6IP 4H 1R (earned) 2BB 5K 92 pitches (65 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 7th as Bichette doubled scoring George Springer, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Matt Chapman
• Jordan Romano pitched a perfect 9th for his 29th save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 4 Pirates 1

My Take:

• On a bullpen day, Trevor Richards did his job pitching the first two innings and giving up just one hit while walking none and striking out three. Openers can be good or disastrous. Richards was good
• The next man up, Yusei Kikuchi, gave up a run on 4 hits while walking 1 and striking out 5 over 2.1 innings. I actually think Kikuchi is more effective as a reliever. He may get another shot at starting next season, but if I'm Pete Walker and John Schneider, I'm convincing him to remain in the bullpen. The other 5 relievers held the Pirates to just 2 hits over the final 3.2 innings while striking out 4. You can't ask for much more. That was a solid effort. Hopefully they aren't needed much tomorrow, because the Blue Jays have a double header starting in less than 48 hours.
• Offensively, Bo Bichette was the big hero, scoring the opening run and driving the other three with a bases clearing double in the 7th.
• The Blue Jays were 1-11 with runners in scoring position
• Hopefully Santiago Espinal is ok after getting drilled in the hand by a 97MPH fastball. He'll almost certainly be held out of at least tomorrow's game
• In terms of the wild card race, the Rays, Orioles and Mariners all won, while the Twins were routed 13-0
• Up next, the Blue Jays try for their 3rd straight win and their 5th series sweep of the season. Ross Stripling starts against Pirates righty JT Brubaker 

Game #131 Toronto Blue Jays (71-59) @ Pittsburgh Pirates (49-82)

 

Game #130- Toronto Blue Jays (71-59) @ Pittsburgh Pirates (49-82) - game recap

Alek Manoah pitched 7.1 shutout innings in a 4-0 shutout win over the Pirates

After an off-day tomorrow, the Blue Jays began a weekend road trip in Pittsburgh to begin a stretch of a ton of baseball, including a double header Monday in Baltimore. The Pirates took the season series 2-1 and outscored the Blue Jays 16-7 last time these two squads met in 2017. Bradley Zimmerman and righty Casey Lawrence were the two September call-ups. Both are interesting choice (Zimmerman because the Blue Jays already have seven outfielders already: George Springer, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Teoscar Hernandez, Raimel Tapia, Jacckie Bradley Jr., Cavan Biggo and Whit Merrifield. Of course at least a couple of them are playing hurt or banged up. Casey Lawrence could start Saturday or one of the games in Monday's double header.) Alek Manoah got the start. The Blue Jays went with the same lineup as Wednesday's loss to the Cubs. Could the Blue Jays start the weekend and road trip with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• Johan Oviedo pitching line: 3IP 2H 0R 3BB 4K 77 pitches (46 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 4th as Santiago Espinal doubled scoring Matt Chapman and Cavan Biggio 
• Alek Manoah pitching line: 7.1IP 5H 0R 1BB 6K 98 pitches (64 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the top of the 9th as Bo Bichette smashed a 2-run blast to left-center; also scoring Whit Merrifield 
• Final score: Blue Jays 4 Pirates 0

My Take:

• Alek Manoah threw 7.1 shutout innings, scattering 5 hits while walking 1 and striking out 6. He retired 13 in a row at one point. At this point, Manoah will almost certainly get the start in the first gsme of a WC series where getting out of the gate fast is critical.
• The bullpen was perfect, retiring the final five Pirates batters in order, including striking out three in a row. 
• Offensively, the Blue Jays offense was frustrating at first, leaving five runners on base in the 2nd and 3rd inning combined, including a bases loaded opportunity in the 3rd inning. Santiago Espinal delivered a clutch two-run double in the 4th. Kudos to Cavan Biggio for hustling around the bases to score from 1st base. Bo Bichette went yard in the 9th to give the Blue Jays some more breathing room and to save Jordan Romano for tomorrow's TBD day and likely bullpen day
• In terms of the wild card race, the Mariners and Orioles won and the Rays were up 5-0 on the Yankees late.
• Up next, the Blue Jays try for their second straight win and 20th series win of the season, as well as the 9th season series win of the season. Blue Jays batters will face Pirates righty Roansy Contreras. The Blue Jays have not announced a starter for the game 

Game #130 Toronto Blue Jays (70-59) @ Pittsburgh Pirates (49-81)

 

A Review of The Church of Baseball

 

It's no secret that Bull Durham is my favourite movie of all time and I love reading about how movies get made. Of course I jumped all over this book that talks about the making of the film. I ended up disappointed.