Game #66 Toronto Blue Jays (35-30) @ St. Louis Cardinals (36-29)

 

Game #65 Toronto Blue Jays (35-29) @ Minnesota Twins (34-30)

 

Game #64 Toronto Blue Jays (35-29) @ Minnesota Twins (34-30) - game recap

 

George Springer hit a 2-run HR in a 5-4 win over the Twins

After a blow out win on the strength of with runs over 2 innings,  the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 4 games and notch their 10th series win of the season. Kevin Gausman got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. The rest of the lineup was the same as yesterday's win.  Could the Blue Jays make it 4 straight wins and 10 series wins? Here is today's game recap. 

Game Highlights:

• The Blue jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Nathan Lukes singled scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr
• The Blue jays added a run in the top of the 2nd as Tyler Heineman whacked a solo blast to the opposite field in right 
• The Twins got one back in the bottom of the 4th as Ryan Jeffers was forced in when Ty France was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded
• A batter later, Carlos Correa was forced in on a bases loaded walk to Royce Lewis
• The Twins took the lead in the bottom of the 6th as Matt Wallner belted a solo jack to right
• Chris Paddack pitching line: 6IP 4H 2R (both earned) 2BB 2K 86 pitches (55 for strikes)
• Kevin Gausman pitching line: 6IP 4H 3R (all earned) 3BB 5K 104 pitches (67 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 8th as George Springer whacked a 2-run blast to left; also scoring Addison Barger
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 9th as Guerrero Jr. singled scoring Heineman
• The Twins got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Kody Clemens hammered a solo bomb to right-center
• Jeff Hoffman got the last 3 outs for his 15th save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 5 Twins 4

My Take:

• Kevin Gausman battled through 6 innings, giving up 3 runs on 4 hits while walking 3 and striking out 5. After giving up a leadoff walk to start the game, Gausman retired 9 in a row. Then he struggled through the 4th inning, loading the bases and then allowing 2 runs on a hit batter and a walk. I found it odd that Pete Walker didn't come out to calm Gausman, who did eventually escape the jam. The Blue Jays needed Gausmsan to get as deep in the game as possible with Bowden Francis, who has been unreliable this season, set to start tomorrow.
• The bullpen gave up a run on three hits while walking 1 and striking out 2 over the last 3 innings. Brayden Fisher was the only reliever to retire every batter he faced. After giving up a solo HR, Jeff Hoffman nailed down the save, the 15th on the season for him.
• Tyler Heineman continues to take advantage of his playing time. Defensively, he did a nice job relaying the ball to first on the double play that ended the 4th inning, extending the Blue Jays lead to 2 runs with a solo shot in the 2nd inning and scoring a key insurance run in the 9th that turned out to be the difference in the game. The Blue Jays should consider giving Heineman more playing time, whether it's behind the plate to giving Alejandro Kirk an extra day off to preserve his body, or as DH once in a while.
• Another Blue Jay who has impressed is George Springer. The veteran outfielder/DH went deep in the 8th inning to give the Blue Jays the lead
• The Blue Jays were 3-9 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 5 games and complete their 4th sweep of the season. Bowden Francis starts against Twins righty Jon Ryan

Game #64 Toronto Blue Jays (34-29) @ Minnesota Twins (34-29)

 

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