Game #110 - Baltimore Orioles (67-42) @ Toronto Blue Jays (60-50) - game recap

 

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drove in the Blue Jays only run in a 6-1 loss to the Orioles, who have won every series against the Blue Jays this season and clinched the season series two days ago.

After a solid win over the Orioles yesterday,  the Blue Jays were going for 2 straight wins and a series split, as well as a win to end the home stand. Kevin Gausman got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday (Brandon Belt served as DH today). Could the Blue Jays make it two straight wins, earn the series split and end the home stand with a win? Here is today's game recap. 

Game Highlights:

• The Orioles opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Austin Hays singled scoring Ryan Mountcastle
• Three batters later, Adley Rutschman singled home Adam Frazier. Hays was thrown out at home on the play
• The Orioles added a run in the top of the 5th on a sac fly by Mountcastle that scored Gunnar Henderson
• Kevin Gausman pitching line: 4.1IP 8H 3R (all earned) 2BB 6K 103 pitches (66 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 6th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr singled scoring Kevin Kiermaier
• Jack Flaherty pitching line: 6IP 4H 1R (earned) 2BB 8K 92 pitches (61 for strikes)
• The Orioles added a run in the top of the 8th on a squeeze play sac bunt by Ryan McKenna that scored Hays
• The Orioles added a run in the top of the 9th on a sac fly by Frazier that scored Colton Cowser
• A batter later, Hays doubled scoring Mountcastle
• Final score: Orioles 6 Blue Jays 1

My Take:

• Kevin Gausman battled through 4,1 innings, giving up 3 runs on 8 his while walking 2 and striking out 6. He retired the first four batters of the game before allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and a walk in the 2nd inning. He also got into a bases loaded jam in the 4th with one out but escaped that inning without allowing a run. Certainly not his best start, but not his worst of the season either. 
• The bullpen gave up 3 runs (2 earned) on 5 his while walking 1 and striking out 4. The bulk of the damage was against Thomas Hatch, who was tagged for the three runs and five of the hits and the walk. He could be the next pitcher DFA'd. If he can't be trusted in a low leverage situation, he is useless to the team.
• Offensively, the Blue Jays only run was a 6th inning RBI single off the bat off Vlad. Paul DeJong is still looking for his first hit in a Blue Jays uniform. Whit Merrifield was the only Blue Jays batter to reach base more than once (He had 2 hits)
• The Blue Jays were 1-7  with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays head to Fenway Park, where they will be looking for their first win of the season against the Red Sox, who have outscored the Blue Jays 49-29 thus far this season. Alek Manoah starts against Red Sox lefty and Blue Jays killer James Paxton

Game #110 Baltimore Orioles (66-42) @ Toronto Blue Jays (60-49)

 

Game #109 - Baltimore Orioles (66-42) @ Toronto Blue Jays (60-49) - game recap

 

Yusei Kikuchi threw 6 solid innings in a 4-1 victory over the Orioles

After a blowout loss yesterday on Hyun-Jin Ryu's return to the majors following Tommy John surgery,  the Blue Jays were looking to snap a three game skid.  Bo Bichette was placed on the 10-day ILwith rightknee patellar tendonitis (retroactive to August 1). Paul DeJong from his roster spot and started at SS tonight. Nate Pearson was optioned to AAA- ball and Thomas Hatch was recalled in his place. Yusei Kikuchi got the start with Danny Jansen behind the plate. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Brandon Belt at 1B. Could the Blue Jays snap the three game skid? Here is tonight's game recap. 

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 4th as George Springer singled scoring Brandon Belt 
• The Orioles tied it up in the top of the 5th as Adley Rutschman singled scoring James McCann
• The Blue Jays retook the lead in the bottom of the 6th as Matt Chapman was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded forcing in Belt
• A batter later,  Danny Jansen was hit by a pitch forcing in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 
• A batter after that, Springer scored on a fielder's choice hit by Daulton Varsho
• Grayson Rodriguez pitching line: 5.2IP 2H 3R (all earned) 2BB 6K 96 pitches (63 for strikes)
• Yusei Kikuchi pitching line: 6IP 6H 1R (earned) 1BB 3K 91 pitches (60 for strikes)
• Erik Swanson pitched a scoreless 9th for his 3rd save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 4 Orioles 1

My Take:

• Yusei Kikuchi threw 6 solid innings,  giving up a run on 6 hits while walking 1 and striking out 3. After allowing a one out single in the 1st inning, Kikuchi retired the next 6 batters. He didn't get into too many hands, other than the 3rd inning where he allowed a hit and a walk with 2 outs before getting Anthony Santander to ground out to 3B, and the 5th inning when he gave up his only run. I would consider Kikuchi for a playoff start in the divisional round, especially if the Blue Jays were up a game or two in the series. Definitely he'd make the playoff roster.
• The bullpen was much better tonight after blowing up last night, holding the Orioles to a hit and a walk in the last 3 innings. Jordan Hicks redeemed himself after allowing a couple of runs in his Blue Jays debut last night, walking a batter and striking out a batter in his inning of work. Erik Swanson got the save and got the final out of the game by picking off Jordan Westburg at 1st base. That's the beauty of baseball, if you have a bad game,  you usually don't have to wait long to redeem yourself (unless you are a starting pitcher)
• The Blue Jays offense literally laid their bodies on the line to win this one. Both Danny Jansen and Matt Chapman were hit by pitches in the 6th inning with the bases loaded. George Springer finally got the monkey off his back, snapping an 0-35 hitless drought dating back to July 22. You could see the absolute relief on his face when he got the RBI single. 
• Paul DeJong was 0-3 in his Blue Jays debut.  He was involved in 2 plays defensively tonight
• Up next, the Blue Jays go for two straight wins. Kevin Gausman starts against Orioles righty Jack Flaherty

Game #109 Baltimore Orioles (66-41) @ Toronto Blue Jays (59-49)

 

Game #108 Baltimore Orioles (65-41) @ Toronto Blue Jays (59-48)