Game #63 Toronto Blue Jays (34-29) @ Minnesota Twins (34-29) - game recap

 

Bo Bichettte hit a 2-run RBI single to give the Blue Jays the lead in a 6-4 comeback win over the Twins

After blowing out the Phillies on the strength of a combined 8 runs in the 2nd and 3rd innings, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the winning streak to 3 games. The Twins won the season series last year, but the Blue Jays outscored the Twins 31-22. It was another bullpen day. Paxton Schultz got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. George Springer got the half day off as DH with Addison Barger in RF. Andres Gimenez was back in the lineup and at 2B after the day off yesterday. Nathan Lukes was in LF and Jonatan Clase was in CF. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 3 games? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Twins opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Trevor Larnach hammered a solo bomb to right-center
• The Twins added a run in the bottom of the 2nd on a ground out hit by Kody Clemens that scored Brooks Lee
• Two batters later,  Christian Vasquez  doubled scoring Royce Lewis 
• Paxton Schultz pitching line: 2IP 4H 3R (all earned) 0BB 1K 40 pitches (24 for strikes)
• The Blue jays got a pair back in the top of the 4th as Addison Barger annihilated a 5-run bomb to right- center; also scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 
• The Blue jays took the lead in the top of the 5th as Bo Bichette singled scoring Andres Gimenez and Ernie Clement
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 6th as George Springer hammered a solo bomb to dead center 
• Bailey Ober pitching line: 7IP 5H 5R (all earned 1BB 4K 87 pitches (64 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 8th as Alejandro Kirk singled scoring  Guerrero Jr. 
• The Twins  got one back in he bottom half of the inning as Lewis singled scoring Larnach
• Jeff Hoffman pitchrd a scoreless 9th for his 14th save of the season
• Final score; Blue Jays 6 Twins 4

My Take:

• Paxton Schultz battled through 2 innings,  giving up 3 runs on 4 hits while walking none and striking out 1. I'm going to keep saying this every time the Blue Jays have a bullpen day,  but they are taking a huge risk by doing so.  First, it puts added pressure on the other 4 starters in the rotation to pitch deep into the game.  Second,  the bullpen is eventually going to be ineffective due to overuse and there will be injuries.  Yimi Garcia end Nick Sandin have already paid the price and both missed significant time on the IL. if there are no setbacks, Max Scherzer could be ready to return to the rotation soon. Bowden Frances can't seem to find his game,  which has turned into a second bullpen game some nights. The blue jays need to do something soon because Alek Manoah will not be ready to pitch until after the all star break
• The bullpen gave up a run on 3 hits while walking 3 and striking out 9 over the last 7 innings. Mason Fluharty was the only teliever to retire every batter he faced
• The offence was powered by Addison Barger (2-run HR), Bo Bichette (2-run single), George Springer (solo HR) and Alejandro Kirk (RBI single)
• The Blue Jays never really feel out of games this season. Last season, the fans could have turned their attention to a certain hockey game once the Twins were up by 3 after 2 innings. Not so this season.
• The Blue Jays were 2-3 with runners in scoring position.
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 4 games and notch their 10th series win of the season. Kevin Gausman starts against Twins righty Chris Paddack

Game #63 Toronto Blue Jays (33-29) @ Minnesota Twins (34-28)

 

Game #62 Philadelphia Phillies (37-25) @ Toronto Blue Jays (33-29) - game recap

 

Myles Straw drove in three runs and scored twice in a 9-1 rout over the Phillies

After a walk off win over the Phillies thanks to Alejandro Kirk's RBI single off old battery mate Jordan Romano,  the Blue Jays were looking to make it two straight wins and notch their 9th series win of the season.  Chris Bassitt got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. George Springer was back in the field in RF after DH'ig yesterday (Alejandro Kirk served as DH today.) Jonatan Clase was in LF and Myles Straw was in CF. Davis Schneider got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 2 games? Here is today's game recap. 

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Myles Straw doubled scoring Davis Schneider 
• Two batters later, Tyler Heineman doubled home Straw
• A batter batter,  Bo Bichette hammered a 2-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Heineman 
• The Blue jays added a run in the bottom of the 3rd as Straw singled scoring Alejandro Kirk and Ernie Clement
• Two batters, Heineman singled scoring Schneider and Straw 
• Jesus Luzardo pitching line: 3.2IP 9H 8R (all earned) 2BB 2K 61 pitches (38 for strikes)
• The Phillies got one back in the top of the 6th as Kyle Schwarber singled scoring Trea Turner
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom half of the inning as Kirk singled scoring George Springer
• Chris Bassitt pitching line: 7IP 5H 1R (earned) 2BB 6K 99 pitches (62 for strikes)
• Final score: Blue Jays 9 Phillies 1

My Take:

• Chris Bassit threw 7 strong innings, giving up a run on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6. He retired 9 of the first 11 batters he faced. Bassitt has been one of the pleasant surprises this season. The wily veteran has given the Blue Jays a chance to win in most of his starts and has pitched into the 6th inning in 10 of his 12 starts. No doubt he'll have teams looking to add the veteran starter in free agency in the off-season.
• The bullpen threw 2 perfect innings and Mason Fluharty recorded 2 strikeouts.
• The offense did most of the damage in the 2nd and 3rd innings, combining for 8 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks. Bo Bichette (2-run HR), Myles Straw (3RBI, 2 runs scored) and Tyler Heineman (3RBI, 1 run scored) did the damage
• The Blue Jays have been doing well against lefty starters, something that has been an achilles heel in past seasons
• The Blue Jays were 5-8 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays hit the road again as they begin a weekend series in Minnesota. The Twins won the season series last year, but the Blue Jays outscored the Twins 31-22. It will be a bullpen day for the Blue Jays, who have not announced an opener yet. The Twins will counter with righty Bailey Ober.

Game #62 Philadelphia Phillies (37-24) v. Toronto Blue Jays (32-29)

 

Game #61 Philadelphia Phillies (37-24) @ Toronto Blue Jays (32-29) - game recap

 

Alejandro Kirk hit a walkoff single in the bottom of the 9th to lift the Blue Jays to a 2-1 comeback win over the Phillies

After a tough loss due to a very rough start for Bowden Francis, the Blue Jays were looking to even the series. Ace Jose Berrios got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Alan Roden was in LF, Jonatan Clase was in CF and Nathan Lukes was in RF. Addison Barger got the start at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays even the series? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Phillies opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Nick Castellanos whacked a solo blast to the opposite field in right-center
• The Blue Jays tied it up in the bottom of the 6th as Bo Bichette tripled scoring Andres Gimenez
• Mick Abel pitching line: 5.1IP 3H 1R (earned) 0BB 2K 78 pitches (52 for strikes)
• Jose Berrios pitching line: 6IP 4H 1R (earned) 2BB 5K 89 pitches (55 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays walked it off in the bottom of the 9th as Alejandro Kirk singled home Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• Final score: Blue Jays 2 Phillies 1 while walking 2 and striking out 5. 

My Take:

• Jose Berrios fired 6 solid innings, giving up a run on 4 hits while  while walking 2 and striking out 5. The most important stat was that he was able to ge through 6 innings. Bowden Francis got only 5 outs yesterday and the Blue Jays will need another bullpen day later in the week with the vacant 5th spot in the rotation coming up.
• The bullpen threw 3 shutout innings, allowing 1 hit, walking none and striking out 3. Jeff Homan was credited with the win
• The offense did just enough to prevail. Bo Bichette drove in a run with a triple and Alejandro Kirk walked it off against old battery mate Jordan Romano. 
• The Blue Jays were 2-5 with runners in scoring position
• They definitely need another starting pitcher and a bat that can produce consistently
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 3 games and notch their 9th series win of the season. Chris Bassitt starts against Phillies lefty Jesus Luzardo