Game #33 Cleveland Guardians (18-14) v. Toronto Blue Jays (16-16)

 

Game #32 - Cleveland Guardians (18-14) @ Toronto Blue Jays (16-16) - game recap

 

Nathan Lukes hit a clutch 2-run single to lift the Blue Jays to a 5-3 win over thr Guardiians

After their second straight comeback win over the Bosox thanks to a huge 3-run 8th inning Vladdy HR, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 3 games as they welcomed the Cleveland Guardians, who won the season series last season, outscoring the Blue Jays 28-22, to town for a weekend series. Chris Bassitt got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Daulton Varsho got the complete day off and George Springer got the half day off as DH with Anthony Santander in LF, Myles Straw in CF, and Addison Barger in RF.  Andres Gimenez was back in the lineup after the complete day off yesterday and Ernie Clement was back at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 3 games? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Guardians opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Carlos Santana whacked a solo blast just fair down the right field line
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the 2nd as Alejandrio Kirk singled scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr, and Anthony Santander. Guardians LF Steven Kwan was charged with a fielding error on the play
• The Guardians tied it in the top of the 3rd Bo Naylor hammered a solo bomb to dead center
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the 5th as George Springer hammered a solo bomb to straightaway center
• The Guardians tied it in the top of the 6th as Santana singled scoring Daniel Schneemann
• Chris Bassitt pitching line: 5.1IP 7H 3R (all earned) 0BB 4K 98 pitches (65 for strikes)
• Logan Allen pitching line: 5.2IP 6H 3R (2 earned) 2BB 4K 104 pitches (66 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays retook the lead in the bottom of the 8th as Nathan Lukes singled scoring Daulron Varsho and Springer
• Jeff Hoffman pitched a scoreless 9th for his 7th save of the season.
• Final score: Blue Jays 5 Guardans 3

My Take:

•  Chris Bassitt battled through 5.1 innings, giving up 3 runs on 7 hits while walking none and striking out 4. Home runs continue to be a problem for Blue Jays pitchers. Bassitt gave up 2 solo shots today. It also wasn't the most efficient start, needing almost 100 pitches to get 16 outs. He ended up with a no-decision since he left with the game tied
• The bullpen held the Guardians to 2 hits, a hit batter and a walk while striking out 2 over the last 3.2 innings
• The bats cam up clutch a few times, including a huge 2-run single from Lukes. Alejandro Kirk gave the Blue Jays their first lead of the game with his own 2-run single
• The Blue Jays were 3-12 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays go for their 4th straight win and 5th series win of the season. Kevin Gausman starts against Guardians righty Gavin Williams

Game #32 Cleveland Guardians (18-13) v. Toronto Blue Jays (15-16)

 

Game #31 - Boston Red Sox (17-16) @ Toronto Blue Jays (15-16) - game recap

 

Vladimir Guerrero Jr, hit a clutch 3-run HR as the Blue Jays came from behind to defeat the Red Sox 4-2

After a huge comeback win from 6 runs down last night that was capped off by an Alejandro Kirk walkoff single,  the Blue Jays were looking to make it 2 straight wins and 4 series wins. Ace Jose Berrios got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. George Springer got the complete day off with Alan Roden in LF and Nathan Lukes in RF. Andres Gimenez also got the complete day off with Ernie Clement at 2B. Addison Barger was at the hot corner.  Could the Blue Jays make it two straight wins and 4 series wins? Here is tonight's game recap. 

Game Highlights:

• The Red Sox opened the scoring in the top of the 5th as Alex Bregman doubled scoring Rob Refsnyder and David Hamilton
• Jose Berrios pitching line: 6.2IP 7H 2R (both earned) 1BB 8K 88 pitches (61 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 7th as Daulton Varsho whacked a solo blast to the opposite field in left
• Tanner Houck pitching line: 7IP 4H 1R (earned) 0BB 6K 86 pitches (62 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the 8th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. belted a 3-run jack to left-center; also scoring Nathan Lukes and Bo Bichette
• Yimi Garcia threw a perfect 9th for his 2nd save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 4 Red Sox 2

My Take:

• Jose Berriis gave the Blue Jays exactly what they needed after 2 days of heavy use following a rough start from Bowden Francis and a planned bullpen day yesterday. Berrios pitched into the 7th inning, giving up a pair of runs on 7 hits while walking 1 and striking out 8. He didn't allow a Red Sox batter to get past 1st base, except for the 5th inning where he gave up 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk
• The bullpen threw 2.1 perfect innings and Yimi Garcia struck out 2 of the batters he faced. Garcia is looking like the go-to guy as a closer when Jeff Hoffman needs a day off
• The bats are heating up. Daulton Varsho homered for the 2nd straight game and Vlad gave the Blue Jays the lead with a no-doubter to left-center. 
• The lue Jays were 1-1 with runners in scoring position
• The Blue Jays got mixed news on the injury front and the bigger concern has to be with reliever Erik Swanson, who was scratched from a recent rehab appearance with forearm tightness. Swanson missed the first part of the season with ulnar nerve impingement. The team best be careful with Swanson lest the injury leads to season-ending tommy john surgery. Meanwhile, Max Scherzer is slowly progressing, throwing off a mound with more pitches than last time he threw. Scherzer will be monitored closely and the big test will be when he starts throwing 45 pitches or so where the thumb injury has been rearing its ugly head
• Up next, the Blue Jays welcome the Cleveland Guardians to town for a weekend series. The Guardians won the seaon series in 2024, outscoring the Blue Jays 28-22. Chris Bassitt starts against Guardians lefty Logan Allen

Game #31 Boston Red Sox (17-15) v. Toronto Blue Jays (14-16)