Game #111 - Toronto Blue Jays (51-60) @ New York Yankees (66-46) - game recap

 

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a solo HR  in the 1st inning, his 9th home run in 10 games and extended his hitting streak ro 17 games in an 8-3 come-from behind loss to the Yankees

After a solid win over the Yankees on the strength of 7 runs over the 1st three innings, the Blue Jays were going for their 2nd straight win and 12th series win of the season. Jose Berrios got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind  the plate. George Springer got the half day off as DH with Steward Berroa in RF. Joey Loperfido was in CF and Davis Schnider was in LF. Spencer Horwitz got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays Make it 2 straight wins and 12 series wins? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights: 

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hammered a solo bomb to dead center 
• The Yankees took the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Aaron Judge hammered a 2-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Juan Soto
• The Yankees added 2 runs in the bottom of the 2nd as Trent Grisham belted a 2-run jack to right-center; also scoring Ben Rice
• The Yankees added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 5th as Anthony Volpe drilled a 2-run blast to left-center; also scoring Gleyber Torres
• The Blue Jays got a pair back in the top of the 6th as Alejandro Kirk singled scoring George Springer and Guerrero Jr.
• Jose Berrios pitching line: 5IP 7H 6R (5 earned) 3BB 6K 93 pitches (64 for strikes)
• Carlos Rodon pitching line: 5.1IP 3H 3R (all earned) 2BB 8K 106 srikes (68 for strikes)
• The Yankees added a run in the bottom of the 7th as Volpe singled scoring Judge
• The Yankees added a run in the bottom of the 8th as Austin Weklls singled home Alex Verdugo
• Clay Holmes got the final out for his 23rd save of the season
• Final score: Yankees 8 Blue Jays 3

My Take:

• Jose Berrios gave up 6 runs (5 earned) on 7 hits while walking 3 and striking out 6 over 5 innings. He gave up three 2-runHR and has now allowed 25 long balls on the season, 4 off the mark of his career high. It has been an up and down season for the Blue Jays ace, who will be at the top of the rotation for the next few seasons at least.\
• The bullpen gave up 2 runs on 3 hits while walking 2 and striking out 2 over the last 3 innings. Erik Swanson was the only reliever to retire every batter he faced.
• The red hot Vladimir Guerrero Jr. belted his 9th home run in 10 games and extended his hitting streak to 16 games. This lost season needs something to cheer for - how about a run at Joe Dimaggio's 56 game hit streak or 8 games with a home run - either feat would be impressive
• The Blue Jays were 2-5 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to end the road trip with their 12th series win of the season. Yariel Rodriguez starts against Yankees ace Gerritt Cole

Game #111 Toronto Blue Jays (51-59) @ New York Yankees (65-46)

 

Game #110 Toronto Blue Jays (50-59) @ New York Yankees (65-45)

 

Game #109 Toronto Blue Jays (50-58) @ Baltimore Orioles (64-44)

 

Game #108 - Toronto Blue Jays (50-58) @ Baltimore Orioles (64-44) - game recap

 

Daulton Varsho drove in a run in a 6-2 loss to the Orioles

After splitting yesterday's double header, the Blue Jays were looking to make it two straight wins over the Orioles. Prior to the game, Trevor Richards was dealt to the Twins for infielder Jay Harry, IKF (currently on a rehab assignment wit a knee injury) was dealt to the Pirates (with cash consideration) for 3B prospect Charles McAdoo and Kevin Kiermaier was traded to the Dodgers for lefty reliever Ryan Yarbrough. Richards was 2-1 with a 4.64ERA over 45 appearancs this season. Over 4 seasons with the Blue Jays, Richads was 11-6 with a 4.75ERA over 195 appearance (9 starts). IKF batted .292 with 7HR and 33RBI over 82 games and 257AB. Kiermaier batted .195 with 4HR and 18RBI over 81 games and 200AB. Over 2 seasons, Kiermaier batted .240 with 12HR and 54RBI over 210 games and 570AB. Yarbrough is 4-2 with a 3.74ERA with 1 save over 32 games this season. On to today's game. Joey Loperfido has reported to the big league squad. The two Y. Rodriguez's (starting pitcher Yariel and reliever Yerry) were both recalled from AAA-ball after being sent down prior to the 2nd game of yesterday's double header. Infielder Luis De Los Santos was recalled from AAA-ball. Righty Jake Bloss was optioned to AAA-ball. Chris Bassitt got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. George Springer served as DH for the 2nd straight day. Daulton Varsho was in CF and Steward Berroa was in LF. Adduson Barger got the start in RF. Could the Blue Jays make it 2 straight wins over the Orioles? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Orioles opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Anthony Santander doubled scoring Gunnar Henderson
• The Orioles added a run in the bottom of the 3rd as Ramon Urias whacked a solo blast to the opposite field in right-center 
• Five batters later, Ryan O'Hearn singled scoring Adley Rutschmann and Henderson
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 4th on a sac fly by Alejandro Kirk that scored Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 
• The Orioles added a run in the bottom of the 4th as Urias singled scoring Cedric Mullins
• Chris Bassitt pitching line: 4IP 9H 5R (all earned) 1BB 3K 90 pitches (56 for strikes)
• The Orioles addeda run in the bottom of the 5th as Santander belted a solo jack to the opposite field in right-center 
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 7th as Daulton Varsho doubled scoring Steward Berroa
• Corbin Burnes pitching line: 6.2IP 4H 2R (both earned) 3BB 7K 99 pitches (63 for strikes)
• Final score: Orioles 6 Blue Jays 2

My Take:

• Chris Bassitt battled through 4 innings, giving up 5 runs on 9 hits while walking 1 and striking out 3. It must be tough to not mail it in now that the team has essentially wrote off the season, trading every free agent and IKF, who was signed through next season. Ever the professional, I'm sure Bassitt is giving it all in every start. He was scored on in 3 of the 4 innings he pitched and needed 90 pitches to get 12 outs. It has been a bit of a down season for the veteran righty, who has had to work harder to get through games. Here's hoping he can improve the next 2 months and comes back in 2025 ready to be a solid #3 starter for the team.
• The bullpen allowed a run on 2 hits while walking 4 and striking out 3 over the last 4 innings. Ryan Burr was the only reliever to retire every batter he faced. Erik Swanson and Chad Green should get the opportunity to close a game when a save opportunity arises. Ryan Yarbrough gives them three lefties in the bullpen.
• Offensively, Alejandro Kirk drove in a run with a sac fly and Daulton Varsho drove in a run.
• Here's hoping Kirk is ok for the weekend series. He left the game after being hit by a pitch in the 5th inning. If he needs an IL stint, the catching tandem would be Brian Serven and Phil Clarke.
• The Blue Jays were 1-4 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to escape Baltimore with a series split. Paolo Espino starts against Orioles righty Grayson Rodriguez