Game #69 Toronto Blue Jays (38-30) @ Philadelphia Phillies (39-29)

 

Game #68 Toronto Blue Jays (38-30) @ St Louis Cardinals (36-32) - game recap

 

Bo Bichette drove in the winning run on a sac fly in a 5-2 comeback win over the Cardinals

After eking out a win yesterday,  the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 3 games and complete their 4th series sweep and 3rd season series sweep. Nathan Lukes was placed on the 7- day concussion IL and Will Robertson's contract was selected from the AAA-roster and added to the MLB roster. Eric Lauer got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. Alejandro Kirk served as DH. Vlad was back in the lineup and at 1B after the compete day off yesterday. George Springer was in the field in RF after DH'ing yesterday. Ernie Clement was at the hot corner and Davis Schneider got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 3 games and complete their 4th series sweep and 3rd season series sweep of the season? Here is today's game recap. 

Game Highlights:

• The Cardinals opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Wilson Contreras singled scoring Masyn Winn 
• The Cardinals added a run in the bottom of the 2nd as Yohel Pozo whacked a solo blast to left
• The Blue jays got one back in the top of the 3rd as Bo Bichette singled scoring Tyler Heineman 
• Three batters later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. scored on a sac fly by George Springer 
• The Blue jays added a run in the top of the  4th on a sac fly by Bichette that scored Myles Straw 
• A batter later, Guerrero Jr. singled scoring Jonatan Clase 
• Eric Lauer pitching line: 4.1IP 4H 2R (both earned) 1BB 4K 72 pitches (50 for strikes)
• The Blue jays added a run in the top of the 5th as Ernie Clement smacked a solo blast to left
• Matthew Liberatore pitching line: 5IP 8H 5R (3 earned) 1BB 4K 90 pitches (59 for strikes)
• Yariel Rodriguez threw a perfect 9th for his 1st save of the season 
• Final score: Blue Jays 5 Cardinals 2

My Take:

• Eric Lauer battled through 4.1 innings, giving up a pair of runs on 4 hits while walking 1 and striking out 4. He made a throwing error on a pickoff attempt in the 1st inning and was taken yard in the 2nd inning.  He hit a batter in the 3rd inning. Lauer wasn't super efficient today. At least tomorrow is an off-day
• The bullpen threw 4.2 shutout innings, giving up 3 hits, walking 1 and striking out 7. Yariel Rodriguez, who got the save, and Braydon Fisher retired every batter they faced.
• With Nathan Lukes and Anthony Santander both on the IL, the Blue Jays outfield depth will be tested. George Springer will see reps in RF and maybe CF. Myles Straw and Jonatan Clase will platoon in CF and Clase could see time in LF, along with Alan Roden and Davis Schneider. Addison Barger could start in RF.
• The offense continues to get timely hits. They erased the 2-run deficit in the 3rd inning on an RBI single from Bo Bichette, who drove in what was the winning run on a sac fly an inning later, and a sac fly by George Springer, who has been a pleasant surprise this season. Vlad scored the game-tying run and drove in the 1st insurance run in the 4th inning. Ernie Clement went yard in the 5th to put the game away.
• The Blue Jays were 2-10 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, after an off-day tomorrow, the Blue Jays resume the road trip in Philadelphia. The Blue Jays won  of 3 in Toronto a week ago, outscoring the Phillies 14-10. Kevin Gausman starts against Phillies lefty Ranger Suarez 

Game #68 Toronto Blue Jays (37-30) @ St. Louis Cardinals (36-31)

 

Game #67 Toronto Blue Jays (36-30) @ St. Louis Cardinals (36-30)

 

Game #66 Toronto Blue Jays (36-30) @ St Louis Cardinals (36-30) - game recap

 

Alejandro Kirk drove in the winning run in a 5-4 comeback win over the Cardinals in 10 innings

After dropping a game yesterday after another subpar start from Bowden Francis, the Blue Jays were looking to start the week with a win as they continued the road trip in St. Louis. The Blue Jays swept the season series last year, outscoring the Cardinals 14-7. Ace Jose Berrios got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. George Springer was in the field in RF after DH'ing yesterday (Bo Bichette got the half day off as DH today with Ernie Clement at SS. Davis Schneider was in LF and Jonatan Clase was in CF. Could the Blue Jays start the week with a win? Here is tonight's game recap. 

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as George Springer doubled scoring Addison Barger
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 2nd as Bo Bichette singled scoring Ernie Clement 
• Andre Pallante pitching line: 6IP 7H 2R (both earned) 1BB 3K 95 pitches (60 for strikes)
• Jose Berrios pitching line: 6.2IP 4H 0R 2BB 1K 89 pitches (54 for strikes)
• The Blue jays added a run in the top of the 7th as Alejandro Kirk hammered a solo bomb just over the wall in desd center
• The Cardinals got one back in the bottom of the 8th as Wilson Contreras singled scoring Victor Scott II
• A batter later,  Ivan Herrera belted a3- run jack to left; also scoring Masyn Winn and Contreras
• The Blue jays tied it up in the top of the 9th as Jonatan Clase drilled a solo bomb to dead center
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 10th as Kirk doubled home Addison Barger
• Jeff Hoffman threw a perfect 10th for his 16th save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 5 Cardinals 4 (10 innings)

My Take:

• Jose Berrios fired 6.2 shutout innings, scattering 4 hits, walking 2 and striking out 1. The most important stat was the innings pitched after another subpar start from Bowden Francis.  Spencer Turnbull has been recalled and he has built up enough to handle roughly 80 pitches. Trouble is, Turnbull didn't looked great in his appearances in the minors and his velocity is in question.  Berrios, Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt need to pitch their best every turn and that is asking a lot. 
• The bullpen gave up 4 runs on 3 hits while watlking 1 and striking out 6 over the last 3.1 innings. Gutsy move by John Schneider to run Yariel Rodriguez out for another inning after ge blew the save in the 8th inning. Rodriguez was credited with the win. 
• The veterans did the damage offensively tonight. George Springer and Bo Bichete had RBI hits the first two innings and catcher Alejandro Kirk went deep in the 8th inning and doubled home the winning run in the 10th inning
• The Blue Jays will have a tough decision to make as to who is sent down when Anthony Santander returns to the lineup. Both Jonatan Clase, who hit a game-tying home run in the 9th, and Davis Schneider have shown they deserve the roster spot
• The Blue Jays were 3-9 with runners in scoring position. 
• Up next, the Blue Jays go for 2 straight wins and their 11th series win of the season. Chris Bassitt starts against Cardinals righty Miles Mikolas