Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Game #140 Philadelphia Phillies (82-56) @ Toronto Blue Jays (67-73) - game recap
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Vladimir Guerrero Jt. hit a 2-run HR in a losing effort as the Phillies came from behind to edge the Blue Jays 10-9 |
After an off-day yesterday, the Blue Jays returned home for a brief 2-game set against the Phillies. The two teams split the two games in Philadelphia way back in May with the Phillies outscoring the Blue Jays 13-6. Chris Bassitt got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad, Daulton Varsho and George Springer were back in the lineup and in the field after complete days off Sunday. Joey Loperfido was in LF, Addison Barger was at the hot corner, Ernie Clement was at SS and Will Wagner got the start.at 2B. Could the Blue Jays start the week with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Phillies opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Kyle Shwarber whacked a solo blast to right-centet
- The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Daulton Varsho hammered a 2-run bomb to dead center; also scoring George Sptringer
- Three batters later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on a ground out hit by Will Wagner
- A batter later, Alejandro Kirk singled scoring Spencer Horwitz
- A batter later, Addison Barger smacked a 2-run blst to right-center and into the Phillies bullpen; also scoring Kirk
- Tyler Phillips pitching line: 0.2IP 8H 6R (all earned) 0BB 1K 36 pitches (28 for strikes)
- The Phillies got one back in the top of the 3rd on a fielder's choice hit by Nick Castellanos that scored Scwarber
- A batter later Bryson Stott doubled scoring Trea Turner
- The Phillies got one back in the top of the 4th as Schwarber belted a solo jack off the basing of the second deck in right
- Chris Bassitt pitching line: 5.1IP 10H 4R (3 earned) 2BB 7K 92 pitches (67 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 6th as Guerrero Jr. drilled a 2-run bomb to left; also scoring Springer
- The Phillies took the lead in the top of the 9th as Schwarber annihilated a 3-run bomb to the 2nd deck in right; also scoring Edmundo Sosa and Kody Clemens
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Leo Jimenez smashed a solo blast to left-center
- Matt Strahm got the last 3 outs for his 2nd save of the season
- Final score: Phillies 10 Blue Jays 9
My Take:-
- Chris Bassitt battled through 5.1 innings, giving up 4 tuns (3 earned) on 10 hits while walking 2 and striking out 7. He was working in and out of jams all night long and has regressed from the pitcher he was last season. At this point, he maybe slides into the 3rd or 4th spot in the rotation for 2025.
- The bullpen gave up 6 runs on 8 hits while walking 4 and striking out 4 over the last 3.2 innings. Chad Green was charged with his 2nd blown save of the season and in a row. None of the relievers retired every batter they faced/
- The offense jumped all over Phillies starter Tyler Phillips, scoring six times on 8 hits. Daulton Varsho (2-run HR), Vlad (2-run HR and 2 runs scored), Addison Barger (2-run HR), Alejandro Kirk (RBI, run scored), Leo Jimenez (solo HR) led the way offensively
- Every Blue Jays starter except Joey Loperfido had at least one hit and all but Loperfido, Ernie Clement and George Springer drove in a run.
- The Blue Jays were 1-7 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to avoid their 25th series loss, being swept for the 3rd time and their 14th season series loss of the season. Bowden Francis starts against Phillies righty Cristopher Sanchez
Sunday, September 1, 2024
Game #139 - Toronto Blue Jays (67-72) @ Minnesota Twins (74-62) - game recap
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Ernie Clement scored twice, including a solo HR, in a losing effort as the Twins came from behind to edge the Blue Jays 4-3 |
After a blowout 14-0 shutout win over the Twins thanks to the offence going bonkers, the Blue Jays were going for their 2nd straight win and 13th series win of the season. Infielder Luis De Los Santos, who got the start at the hot corner, and lefty Brandon Eisert were recalled from AAA-ball. Yariel Rodriguez got the start with Brian Serven behinf the plate. Vlad, George Springer and Daulton Varsho got the complete day off with Spencer Horwitz at 1B, Addison Barger in LF and Joey Loperfido in CF. Ernie Clement was at SS and Leo Jimenez was at 2B. Davus Schneider served as DH. Righty Dillon Tate was claimed off waivers from the Orioles. Righty Paolo Espino was DFA'd. Could the Blue Jays make it 2 straight wins and 13 series wins? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Ernie Clement whacked a solo blast to left-center
- Yariel Rodriguez pitching line: 3IP 3H 0R 2BB 3K 57 pitches (33 for strikes)
- Bailey Ober pitching line: 6IP 1H 1R (earned) 3BB 8K 94 pitches (62 for strikes)
- The Twins tied the game in the borrom of the 7th on a groundout hit by Carlos Santana that scored Royce Lewis
- The Blue Jays retook the lead in the top of the 8th on a hit by pitch to Leo Jimenez that forced in Nathan Lukes
- A batter later, Clement scored on a groundout hit by Joey Loperfido
- The Twins took the lead in the bottom of the inning as Lewis whacked a 3-run blast just over the wall in left; also Ryan Jeffers and Austin Martin
- Jhoan Duran threw a scoreless 9th for his 20th save of the season
- Final score: Twins 4 Blue Jays 3
My Take:
- This game felt a bit like game 2 of last year's WC series against the Twins. This time, Yariel Rodriguez was yanked after 3 innings. Rodriguez got into a few jams whereas Jose Berrios was dealing when he was removed from the AL Wild card game. The other factor is the Blue Jays are going to be careful with Rodriguez's usage in the final month given they want to limit his innings.
- The bullpen gave up 4 runs on 4 hits while walking 2 and striking out 3 over the last 6 innings. Ryan Yarbrough and Tommy Nance both retired every batter they faced. Branden Little and Chad Green were both charged with blown saves.
- Offensively, Ernie Clement hit a solo home run and later scored on a bases loaded ground out. Leo Jimenez got a RBI the painful way, taking one for the team on a hit by pitch. Twins pitching was effectively wild with 5 walks and a hit batter.
- The Blue Jays were 0-7 with runners in scoring position
- The Blue Jays could play spoiler in the last month of the season with series against the Braves, Mets and Cardinals in the next couple of weeks, who are all in the hunt for the 3rd WC spot, with the Braves clinging to the 3rd WC spot. They also face the Red Sox in the final week of the season and the Red Sox are clinging to the final WC spot in the AL.
- Up next, after an off-day tomorrow, the Blue Jays return home for a brief 2-game home stand against the Phillies. The two teams split the 2 games in Philly way back in May with the Phillies outscoring Blue Jays 13-6. Chris Bassitt starts against Phillies righty Tyler Phillips