Game #84 Houston Astros (42-41) @ Toronto Blue Jays (38-45)

 

Game #83 - New York Yankees (54-32) @ Toronto Blue Jays (38-45) - game recap

 

Justin Turner drove in the Blue Jays only run in an 8-1 loss to the Yankees

After responding to a blowout loss with a blowout win thanks to 6RBI from Vlad, the Blue Jays were trying to make it 2 straight wins and notch their 8th series win of the season. Kevin Gausman got the start with Danny Jansen behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after a half day off as DH yesterday (Justin Turner served as DH today) Bo Bichette got the complete day off with IKF at SS. Kevin Kiermaier was in CF and Daulton Varsho was in LF. Ernie Clement got the start at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays make it two straight wins and 8 series wins? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlig

• The Yankees opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Aaron Judge hammered a 2-run bomb to dead center; alsio scoring Juan Soto 
• The Yankees added a run in the top of the 2nd as DJ LeMahieu singled scoring Ben Rice
• Three batters later, Austin Wells was forced in on a bases loaded walk to Soto 
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 3rd as Justin Turner singled scoring Spencer Horwitz
• The Yankees added a ru in the top of the 5th as LeMahieu doubled scoring Gleyber Torres
• A batter later, Trent Grisham doubbled home Rice and LeMahieu 
• Kevin Gausman pitching line: 4.1IP 7H 7R (all earned) 5BB 7K 107 pitches (62 for strikes)
• The Yankees added a run in the top of the 6th as Rice doubled scoring Alex Verdugo
• Gerrit Cole pitching line: 5IP 3H 1R (earned) 1BB 6K 90 pitches (61 for strikes)
• Final score: Yankees 8 Blue Jays 1

My Take:

• Kevin Gausman was lit up for 7 runs on 7 hits while walking 5 and striking out 7 over 4.1 innings. He just didn't have it today. It's been an uneven season for Gausman, who missed the first start with an injury from spring training. You have to wonder if he's still fighting through the injury.
• The bullpen gave up a run on 5 hits while walking none and striking out 4 over the last 4.2 innings. They better pray that Romano's visit with the same doctor who recently did Alek Manoah's Tommy John surgery doesn't give the Blue Jays closer the same diagnosis or a simlar prognosis. Newcomer and sidewinder Jose Cuas was the only reliever to retire every batter he faced.
• Several streaks ended today: Vlad's three straight games with a home run and IKF's 13 game hitting streak
• The only offence today was Justin Turner's RBI single to drive in Spencer Horwitz
• Up next, the Blue Jays continue the homestand as they take on the Houston Astros tomorrow on Canada Day. The Astros won two of three in Houston waty back in the first full week of the seasion, who outscored the Blue Jays 19-2 in that series. Yariel Rodriguez starts against Astros righty Hunter Brown

Game #83 New York Yankees (53-32) @ Toronto Blue Jays (38-44)

 

Game #82 - New York Yankees (53-32) @ Toronto Blue Jays (38-44) - game recap

 

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a home run for the 3rd straight game, collected his 800th career hit and drove in 6 runs in a 9-3 win over the Yankees

After a disastrous loss due to the bullpen imploding, the Blue Jays were looking to even the series. Tim Mayza was DFA'd prior to the game after failing to record an out in his last 2 appearances. He was having a career worst season with an 0-1 record with 8.03ERA in 35 starts. He finishes his Blue Jays career with a 20-8 record and a 3.87ERA in 352 appearances over 7 seasons. You have to wonder if he was playing through an injury (hopefully not his elbow again). Righty Jose Cuas was recalled from AAA-ball to take Mayza's roster spot. Chris Bassitt got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Justin Turner at 1B. Ernie Clement was at the hot corner and IKF was at 2B. Kevin Kiermaier was in CF and Davis Schneider was in LF. Could the Blue Jays even the series? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• Chris Bassitt was drilled in the forearm by a line drive off the bat of Aaron Judge in the 1st inning. He remained in the game
• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drilled a 2-run jack to the opposite field in right-center; also scoring Isiah Kiner-Falefa
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottiom of the 4th as Alejandro Kirk doubled scoring Justin Turner
• The Yankees got one back in the top of the 5th as Aaron Judge singled scoring Anthony Volpe
• Nestor Cortes pitching line: 4.1IP 7H 3R (all earned) 1BB 5K 87 pitches (53 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 6th as Kirk singled scoring George Springer
• Four batters later, Kiner-Falefa singled home Daulton Varsho
• A batter later, Guerrero Jr. doubled scoring Kirk, Bo Bichette and Kiner-Falefa
• Chris Bassitt pitching line: 6IP 6H 1R (unearned) 2BB 8K 94 pitches (66 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 8th as Guerrero Jr. singled scoring Kiner-Falefa
• The Yankees got a pair back in the top of the 9th as Austin Wells whacked a 2-run blast to right-center; also scoring Gleyber Torres
• Final score: Blue Jays 9 Yankees 3

My Take:

• Chris Bassitt survied being drilled in the pitching arm by an Aaron Judge line drive that left a clear welt on his forearm. He stayed in the game and threw 6 strong innings, giving up an unearned run on 6 hits while walking  2 and striking out 8. He retired 7 of the next 8 batters after getting hit by that line drive. Surely he'll be sore tomorrow, but hopefully he's good to go his next turn middle of next week
• There was no implosion from the bullpen this time, although newcomer Jose Cuas was taken deep for 2 runs. Zach Pop and Brendon Litlle both retired every batter they faced.
• It was the Vladdy show offensively. He homered for the 3rd straight game, got 6RBI and his 800th career hit. 
• IKF extended his hitting streak to 13 games and scored three times
• Every Blue Jays starter excepr Davis Schneider, Ernie Clement and Kevin Kiermaier had at least one hit
• The Blue Jays were 7-16 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to make it two straight wins and 8 series wins. Kevin Gausman starts against Yankees righty Gerrit Cole

Game #82 New York Yankees (53-31) @ Toronto Blue Jays (37-44)