Game #141 Toronto Blue Jays (81-59) @ New York Yankees (78-62)

 

Game #140 Toronto Blue Jays (81-59) @ Cincinatti Reds (70-70) - game recap

 

Addison Barger drove in 4 runs, including a 2-run HR in a 13-9 comeback win over the Reds

After hanging on for the win yesterday, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 25th series win and 17th season series win of the season. Shane Bieber got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Ty France at 1B. George Springer was in LF and Addison Barger was in RF. Ernie Clement was back at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 25th series win and 17th season series win of the season? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Reds opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Jose Trevino singled scoring Gavin Lux and Spencer Steer
• A batter later, Matt McLain singled scoring Ke'Bryan Hayes
• Two batters later, Noelvi Marte doubled scoring Trevino and McLaiin
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 3rd as George Springer hammered a solo bomb to dead center
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 4th as Daulton Varsho smacked a solo blast to right-center
• A batter later, Alejandro Kirk drilled a solo jack to straightaway center
• The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the top of the 5th as Addison Barger belted a 2-run jack to right-center; also scoring Springer
• A batter later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. smacked a solo blast to left-center
• Zack Littell pitching line: 4.1IP 7H 5R (all earned) 1BB 6K 88 pitches (55 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 6th on a sac fly by Barger that scored Ty France
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 7th on a sac fly by France that scored Varsho
• Shane Bieber pitching line: 6IP 5H 5R (all earned) 2BB 6K 98 pitches (62 for strikes)
• The Reds got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Marte singled scoring McLain
• The Blue Jays added a run in the op of the 8th as Barger singled scoring Ernie Clement
• Two batters later, Springer scored on a throwing error by Steer on a ball hiy by Bo Bichette
• A batter later, Myles Straw scored on a sac fly by Varsho
• A batter after that, France singled scoring Guerrero Jr.
• The Reds got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Steer doubled scoring Lux
• Two batters later, Will Benson doubled home Steer
• A batter later, McLain doubled scoring Benson
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 9th as Guerrero Jr. doubled scoring Clement
• Final score: Blue Jays 13 Reds 9

My Take:

• Shane Bieber battled through 6 innings, giving up 5 runs on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6. He was roughed up in the 2nd inning to the tune of 5 runs on 5 hits and a walk. He settled right down and retired 12 of the last 13 batters he faced, including 10 straight batters. Bieber faced the minimum those 4 innings. This is why John Schneider needs to trust his starters to work out of jams and pitch deeper in games.
• The bullpen gave up 5 runs on 4 hits while walking 2 and striking out 2 over the last 3 innings. Louis Varland continues to try and find his game. Tonight, he allowed 3 runs on 4 hits. Brandon Little struck out the only batter he faced, which is encouraging but need to see more of that. Jeff Hoffman retired every batter he faced, but next series will be a stiffer test.
• Offensively, the bats came up big, led by George Springer (3 runs scored, including a solo HR), Vlad (2RBI, 2 runs scored, including a solo HR), Addison Barger (4 RBI, including 2-run HR), Daulton Varsho (2RBI, 2 runs scored, including a solo HR), Alejandro Kirk (RBI, run scored), and Ty France (2RBI, run scored)
• Every Blue Jays starter reached base at least once and all but Bichette had a hit. All but Bichette and Ernie Clement either drove in a run or scored a run
• The Blue Jays were 3-10 with runners in scoring position
• Standings wise, the Red Sox and Yankees both lost, meaning both AL East rivals are 3.5 games back of the Blue Jays for 1st in the AL East. If the Yankees win their game tomorrow, they will be 3 games back of the Blue Jays heading into the weekend series between the Blue Jays and Yankees. If that happens, the Yankees could draw even with a series sweep on the weekend. The Blue Jays would win the division if the two teams are tied at the end of the regular season since the Blue Jays have clinched the season series against the Yankees.
• Up next, after an off-day/travel day tomorrow, the Yankees and Blue Jays open a crucial weekend series in the Bronx. The Blue Jays won 7 of the first 10 games in the season series, outscoring the Yankees 59-51. Kevin Gausman starts for the Blue Jays Friday. The Yankees haven't set their rotation for the series yet.

Game #140 Toronto Blue Jays (80-59) @ Cincinnati Reds (70-69)

 

Game #139 Toronto Blue Jays (79-59) @ Cincinnati Reds (70-68)

 

Game #138 Toronto Blue Jays (79-59) @ Cincinatti Reds (70-68) - game recap

 

Bo Bichette hit a 2-run home run in a losing effort as the Reds came from behind to walk off the Blue Jays 5-4

After salvaging a game to avoid a sweep yesterday thanks to an 8-run output from the offence and the bullpen holding it together, the Blue Jays kicked off a week long road trip with a labour day matinee in Cincinatti. The Reds won the season series last year with both teams scoring 20 runs. Isiah Kiner-Falefah, claimed off waivers yesterday is the September position player call-up. Dillon Tate is the 14th pitcher. Nick Sandlin was moved to the 60-day IL to make room on the roster for him. Chris Bassitt got the start wuth Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Daulton Varsho was back in the lineup and in CF after missing a couple of days with a sore hand after getting drilled by a fastball. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 2 games? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Reds opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Ke'Bryan Hayes doubled scoring Gavin Lux and Sal Stewart 
• The Blue Keys got one back in the top of the 7th as Alejandro Kirk singled scoring Bo Bichette
• Hunter Greene pitching line: 6.1IP 5H 1R (earned) 1BB 7K 101 pitches (77 for strikes)
• Chris Bassitt pitching line: 6IP 5H 2R (both earned) 2BB 6K 107 pitches (63 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 9th as Bichette whacked a 2-run blast to the opposite field in right-center; also scoring Myles Straw 
• A batter later, Daulton Varsho belted a solo jack to right
• The Reds got one back on a ground rule double by TJ Friedl that scored Hayes
• A batter later, Noelvi singled scoring Matt McLain and  Friedl
• Final score: Reds 5 Blue Jays 4

My Take:

• Chris Bassitt battled through 6 innings, giving up a pair of runs on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6. Pretty gutsy of him to go out for the 6th and 7th innings when he either had a blister or cut on his finger. It also says a lot about the trust John Schneider and Co have on the bullpen. After giving up the 2-run double in the 2nd inning, Bassitt beared down and retired seven straight Reds hitters.
• Too bad the bullpen couldn't come through. Tommy Nance got that big high-leverage situation he deserved and promptly gave up hits to two of the batters he faced. Brandon Little was then given the opportunity to redeem himself, but could not retire either batter he faced and got fortunate it wasn't a tie ball game after the first batter when the call was overturned to a ground-rule double. This has to be the end of Little, whose confidence is shattered beyond repair. If the bullpen doesn't sort itself out soon, the Blue Jays could miss the playoffs entirely with the tough September schedule they face and that should lead to the firing of both John Schneider and Pete Walker.
• The bats came through in the 9th, led by Bo Bichette, who is about to receive a massive payday in the off-season, who went deep to the opposite field in right-center to give the Blue Jays their first lead of the game. He would also score the teams 1st run of the game in the 7th inning. Daulton Varsho also went deep despite a sore hand to give the Blue Jays a 2-run cushion. The Blue Jays need Addison Barger's bat to heat up again, and some production from the bottom of the lineup, which was a combined 0-11 on the day.
• The Blue Jays were 1-7 with runners in scoring position
• The Bosox won their labour day matinee, bringing them within 2.5 games back of the Blue Jays  for 1st in the AL East. The idle Yankees also gained a half game in the standings and are also 2.5 games back of 1st in the AL East
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to even the series and avoid their 17th series loss and 6th season series loss. Ace Jose Berrios starts against Reds lefty Nick Lodolo