Game #83- Boston Red Sox (41-42) @ Toronto Blue Jays (45-38) - game recap

 

Mitch White pitched 1.2 scoreless innings in a 5-0 shutout loss to the Red Sox

After edging the Giants yesdterday, thanks to a 2-run bomb off the bat of Vladdy, whi is set to hit in the home run derby of the upcoming all-star game, the Blue Jays were going for three straight wins and their first of the season against division rivals Boston Red Sox. The Blue jays suffered a 4-game sweep in Boston two months ago with the Red Sox outscoring the Blue Jays 32-19. Jose Berrios got the start with Danny Jansen behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday (Alejandro Kirk served as DH tonight). The rest of the lineup was the same as yesterday's win over the Giants. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 3 games and win their first of the season against Boston? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Red Sox opened the scoring in the top of the 5th as Justin Turner bashed a solo blast to left-center 
• The Red Sox added a pair of runs in the top of the 6th as as Jaren Durran belted a 2-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Connor Wong 
• Two batters later, Masataka Yoshida hammered a solo bomb to right-center 
• Jose Berrios pitching line: 6IP 5H 4R (all earned) 0BB 8K 98 pitches (63 for strikes)
• The Red Sox added a run in the top of the 8th on a sac fly by Turner that scored Alex Verdugo
• James Paxton pitching line: 7.2IP 3H 0R 2BB 7K 110 pitches (70 for strikes)
• Final score: Red Sox 5 Blue Jays 0

My Take:

• Jose Berrios threw 6 innings, giving up 4 runs on 5 hits wgule walking none and striking out 8. The long ball hurt Berrios today, as the Red Sox took him yard three times for four runs over the 5th and 6th innings. After allowing a two-out hit in the 1st inning, Berrios retired ten in a row before Justin Turner went deep to break the scoreless tie.
• The bullpen gave up a run on 4 hits while walking 1 and striking out 3 over the last 3 innings. Mist of the damage was done against Trent Thornton, who was charged with the run and gave up three of the base hits and walked a batter.
• Offensively, not much happened. The Blue Jays managed a measly three hits and drew two walks. They could not take advantage of an egregious error in the top of the 9th when three Red Sox fielders collided on what looked like a sure out on a George Springer pop-up.
• The Blue Jays need to find a way to beat their division rivals, otherwise the Blue Jays will either miss the playoffs completely or be swept in the 1st round since it will likely be an AL East team they would face in the wild card round.
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to even the weekend series against the Red Sox. Yusei Kikuchi starts against Red Sox righty Kutter Crawford

Game #83 Boston Red Sox (40-42) @ Toronto Blue Jays (45-37)

 

Game #82- San Francisco Giants (45-36) @ Toronto Blue Jays (45-37) - game recap

 

Vladimir Guerrero hit a 2-run HR in a 2-1 win over the Giants/

After a solid win on the backs of a 5-run 1st inning rally and a team effort from the bullpen on a bullpen day,  the Blue Jays were going for their second straight win,  16th series win and 6th season series win of the season. Alejandro Kirk was reinstated from the 10-day IL and Tyler Heineman was optioned back to AAA-ball. Chris Bassitt got the start with Kirk behind the plate.  Vladimir Guerrero Jr got the half day off as DH with Brandon Belt at 1B. Santiago Espinal was at 2B. Could the Blue Jays make it two straight wins, 16 series wins and 6 season series wins? Here is tonight's game recap

Game Highlights:

• Giants manager Gabe Kapler and Giants 3B JD Davis were ejected at the end of the top of the 3rd for arguing balls and strikes. Davis was called out on strikes to end the inning
• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 6th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr annihilated a 2--run bomb to the second deck in left-center; also sitting Brandon Belt
• Chris Bassitt pitching line: 6IP 3H 0R 3BB 12K 104 pitches (62 for strikes)
• Keaton Winn pitching line: 6IP 3H 2R (both earned) 1BB 3K 67 pitches (46 for strikes)
• The Giants got one back in the top of the 9th as Blake Sabol singled scoring Patrick Bailey
• Jordan Romano pitched the 9th for his 24th save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 2 Giants 1

My Take:

• Chris Bassitt fired six shutout innings scattering three hits while walking three and striking out twelve (a career high). He did get himself into some jams, but was able to execute pitches to get out of innings. He should get some consideration to pitch in the all star game
• The bullpen gave up a run on two hits while striking out 2 over the last three innings.  Jordan Romano showed a bit of rust having not pitched in a while.  The Giants had the tying run at the plate a couple of times in the 9th, but Alejandro Kirk threw out Sabol, who was trying to steal 3rd base and Romano got Brandon Crawford to fly out to center field to end the game.  Erik Swanson and Tim Mayza both threw perfect innings in the 7th and 8th respectively l.
• Vlad provided the only offense the Blue Jays needed, and ultimately got, with a mammoth home run in the 6th inning. He is entering the gone run derby this year so hopefully that sparks a huge second half because Vlad is having an off-year, by his standards at least.  
• I want to address the two ejections. The Giants manager Gabe Kapler and Giants third baseman JD Davis were both rejected at the end of the top of the 3rd for arguing balls and strikes.  Davis and Kapler were upset because Alejandro Kirk dramatically pulled his glove up to bring what should have been a ball into the  strike zone. As long as humans are calling balls and strikes, the catchers will be able to frame pitches. Roboumps may eliminate the ability of catchers to frame pitches. I do not believe managers skilful be able to challenge balls and strikes as they are able to do with virtually every other play. 
• Up next, the Blue Jays will go for three straight wins and their first of the season against division rivals Boston Red Sox. The Blue jays suffered a 4-game sweep in Boston two months ago with the Red Sox outscoring the Blue Jays 32-19. Jose Berrios starts against Red Sox lefty James Paxton, who no hit the Blue Jays May 18, 2018. You can bet he'll be fired up to pitch in Canada on the Canada day long weekend. 

Game #82 San Francisco Giants (45-35) @ Toronto Blue Jays (44-37)

 

Game #81- San Francisco Giants (45-35) @ Toronto Blue Jays (44-37) - game recap

 

Trevor Richards struck out his 500th career batter in a 6-1 win over the Giants

After a shutout loss to the Giants last night that wasted a strong start by Kevin Gausman,  who struck out his 1500th career batter, the Blue Jays were looking to even the series.  Trevor Richards got the start with Danny Jansen behind the plate.  The rest of the lineup was the same as yesterday,. Could the Blue Jays even the series?  Here is tonight's game recap

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Bo Bichette singled scoring George Springer
• A batter later,  Brandon Belt doubled home Bichette
• Three batters later,  Daulton Varsho doubled scoring Belt
• A batter later,  Whit Merrifield doubled home Varsho
• A batter after that,  Danny Jansen singled scoring Merrifield
• Trevor Richards pitching line: 3IP 1H 0R 1BB 5K 40 pitches (28 for strikes)
• The Giants got one back in the top of the 5th as Austin Slater hammered a solo bomb to dead center
• Logan Webb pitching line: 5IP 8H 5R (all earned) 0BB 5K 92 pitches. (62 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 7th as Springer singled scoring Cavan Biggio
• Final score: Blue Jays 6 Giants 1

My Take:

• Trevor Richards did his job, firing three shutout innings,  allowing a hit and a walk and striking out 5. Richards got his 500th career strikeouts. For a reliever,  that's a pretty good number of strikeouts. 
• The rest of the bullpen did a solid job,  giving up a run on 5 hits while walking none and striking out 4 over the last 6 innings, Yimi Garcia had his best outing of the seam, pitching a perfect 9th,  striking out 1 on an efficient 12 pitches.  Bowden Francis gave the Blue Jays 4 innings, although he'll want the pitch to Austin Slater,  who took him yard to deep center, back.
• Offensively,  the Blue Jays jumped all over Giants starter Logan Webb, scoring 5 runs on 6 hits in the 1st inning. They added an insurance run in the 8th off ex-Blue Jays pitcher Ross Stripling
• Every Blue Jays starter had at least one hit and all but Vladimir Guerrero Jr,,  Matt Chapman and Danny Jansen scored a run
• The Blue Jays were 6-13 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays go for their 2nd straight win and 16th series win of the season.  Chris Bassitt starts for the Blue Jays.  The Giants have not named a starter for tomorrow's series finale.