Game #156 Toronto Blue Jays (86-69) @ Minnesota Twins (69-86)

 

Game #155 Toronto Blue Jays (85-70) @ Minnesota Twina (68-87) - game recap

 

George Springer hit a 2-run HR and made an outstanding catch in a 6-1 win over the Twins

After dropping the first 2 of this crucial weekend series vs. the Twins and 3 straight overall, the Blue Jays were looking to get back on track with ace Robbie Ray on the bump. Joakim Soria was placed on the COVID-related IL and lefty Kirby Snead was recalled from AAA. Alejandro Kirk was behind the plate. Teo got the half day off as DH with Corey Dickerson in LF, George Springer in CF and Randal Grichuk in RF. Santiago Espinal was at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays snap the 3-game skid? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Twins opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st on a sac fly by Mitch Garver that scored Jorge Polanco
• The Blue Jays tied the game in the top of the 3rd as Teoscar Hernandez annihilated a solo bomb to dead center 
• Four batters later, Randal Grichuk doubled scoring Santiago Espinal
• John Gant pitching line: 3IP 3H 2R (1 earned) 2BB 1K 47 pitches (32 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 6th as Marcus Semien bashed a solo blast to left-center
• The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the top of the 7th as George Springer hammered a 2-run bomb to left; also scoring Danny Jansen
• Robbie Ray pitching line: 6IP 3H 1R (earned) 4BB 6K 104 pitches (60 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 8th as Jansen singled scoring Hernandez
• Final score: Blue Jays 6 Twins 1

My Take:

• Robbie Ray threw 6 solid innings, giving up 1 run on 3 hits while walking 4 and striking out 6. The delayed start due to Justin Morneau being inducted into the Twins hall of fame seemed to affect him early as his battled his command. Ray has one more start before a potential WC game start. 
• The bullpen was perfect over the last 3 innings striking out 2 batters.
• The big bats were at it again. The Blue Jays hit 3 HR for 4 runs. Teo had the biggest bash ripping one out to the deepest part of the ball park. George Springer hit one to the second deck.
• Every Blue Jay except Vlad, who drew a walk had at least one hit
• The Blue Jays were 2-7 with runners in scoring position
• In terms of the WC race, the Yankees won and moved into a tie with the Red Soxfor the 1st WC spot. The Blue Jays are 2 games back of the Yankees and Red Sox. The Mariners were losing big and poised to drop 3 games back of the Yankees/Red Sox and a game back of the Blue Jays. The A's won earlier and are 2 games back of the Blue Jays and 4 ganes back of the Red Sox/Yankees
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to make it two straight wins ahead of a crucial final homestand. Alek Manoah starts against Twins righty Griffin Jax

Game #155 Toronto Blue Jays (85-69) @ Minnesota Twins (69-85)

Game #154 Toronto Blue Jays (84-70) @ Minnesota Twina (68-86) - game recap

 

Marcus Semien hit a solo HR in a 3-1 loss to the Twins

After an unfortunate loss on a day where the Blue Jays could have moved within a half game of the Yankees for the 2nd WC spot, the Blue Jays were looking to snap a two-game skid. Santiago Espinal and Joakim Soria were both activated. Kevin Smith was optioned to AAA and Thomas Hatch was placed on the IL with a hamstring strain. Ryan Borucki's suspension was reduced by a game and he started serving it tonight. Robbie Ray got the start with Reese McGuire behind the plate. George Springer was back in the field as CF for the first time since injuring his knee in Seattle August 14. Alejandro Kirk served as the DH tonight. Corey Dickerson was in LF for the injured Lourdes Gurriel Jr, who was spiked in the hand by Randal Grichuk last night. Santiago Espinal was at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays stop the 2-game skid? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Twins opened the scoring in the bottom of the 3rd as Luis Arraez tripled home Andrelton Simmons
• A batter later, Byron Buxton hammered a 2-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Arraez
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 6th as Marcus Semien smashed a solo bomb to left-center and into the Twins bullpen
• Bailey Ober pitching line: 5.1IP 4H 1R (earned) 0BB 6K 81 pitches (52 for strikes)
• Jose Berrios pitching line: 6IP 5H 3R (all earned) 2BB 10K 90 pitches (59 for strikes)
• Alex Colome pitched a perfect 9th for his 16th save of the season
• Final score: Twins 3 Blue Jays 1

My Take:

• Jose Berrios threw 6 strong innings, giving up 3 runs on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 10. He worked his way out of jams in the 1st and 4th inning, but was unable to get out of the 3rd inning without some damage. Berrios retired the final nine batters he faced.
• The bullpen was solid, giving up a hit and a walk over the final 2 innings while striking out a batter
• The offence remains flat. Marcus Semien went yard and got 2 hits. Corey Dickerson had a hit and walk and Santiago Espinal doubled in his first AB back from the IL.
• The Blue Jays were 0-6 with runners in scoring position.
• In terms of the WC race, the Yankees won over the Red Sox, the Mariners were leading and the A's were also leading. At the moment, the Blue Jays are 2 games back of the Yankees for the 2nd WC spot and the Mariners are 2.5 games back of the Yankees and the A's are 4.5 games back of the Yankees
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 3-game skid. Robbie Ray starts against Twins righty John Gant

Game #154 Toronto Blue Jays (85-68) @ Minnesota Twins (68-85)