Game #19- Toronto Blue Jays (7-12) @ Arizona Diamondbacks (12-8) - game recap

 

Myles Straw scored twice, including a solo HR in a losing effort as the Diamondbacks came from behind to double up the Blue Jays 6-3

After dropping a 5th straight series and 2nd straight season series, the Blue Jays were looking to start the weekend with a win and snap a 2-game skid. They began a weekend series against the Diamondbacks tonight. The Blue Jays took the season series last year, outscoring the Diamondbacks 18-14. Brayden Fisher got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after the half day off as DH yesterday (Lenyn Sosa served as DH tonight). Kazuma Okamoto was back at the hot corner and Ernie Clement got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays snap the 2-game skid? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• Brandon Fisher pitching line: 1IP 1H 0R 0BB 0K 11 pitches (9 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 4th on a sac bunt by Lenyn Sosa that scored Myles Straw 
• The Diamondbacks tied it in the bottom half of the inning as Nolan Arenado whacked a solo blast to left and into the diamondbacks bullpen
• The Diamondbacks added a run in the bottom of the 5th as Corbin Carroll singled scoring Jorge Berrosa
• Two batters later, Jose Fernandez singled scoring Ketel Marte
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 6th as Straw belted a solo jack to left and into the Diamondbacks bullpen
• The Diamondbacks added a run in the bottom of the 7th on a throwing error by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on a ball hit by Fernandez that scored Marte
• A batter later, Arenado singled scoring Carroll
• Michael Soroka pitching line: 7IP 5H 2R (both earned) 0BB 5K 94 pitches (67 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 8th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr singled scoring Tyler Heineman\
• The Diamondbacks added a run in the bottom half of the inning as Tim Tawa doubled scoring James Mccann
• Paul Sewald pitched a perfect 9th for his 7th save of the season
• Final score: Diamondbacks 6 Blue Jays 3

My Take:

• Brayden Fisher, the most effective pitcher on the night, did his job, pitching an efficient scoreless inning, allowing just the one hit. I'm not a big fan of using openers, mainly because it wastes a bullpen arm and generally the bullpen has a heavier use night on bullpen days, especially if the pitcher designated as the bulk reliever has an off-night. 
• Eric Lauer, the bulk reliever today, gave up 3 runs on 5 hits while walking 1 and striking out 4. Spencer Miles gave up 2 unearned runs after a bad throw from Vlad that Miles couldn't handle cleanly. The bullpen can't keep giving up runs, especially when the offense can't generate runs consistently
• On the ouch files, Daulton Varsho left the game prior to the bottom of the 3rd with left knee soreness. Vlad caught a ball awkwardly in the 8th, jamming a finger. The Blue Jays can ill-afford to lose either player long-term. Varsho's injury could necessitate George Springer getting reps in the outfield. Ernie Clement and Kazuma Okamoto can both play 1st base if Vlad needs to miss a day or two.
• Offensively Straw scored twice, including a 4th inning solo blast to draw the Blue Jays within a run. Nice strategy by Lenyn Sosa to drive in the 1st run via a sac bunt. All runs count whether the ball is hit 400 feet or a foot. A speedy player could force a bad throw.
• There were no ABS challenges today.
• The Blue Jays were 1-7 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 3-game skid and avoid their 6th series loss and 4th season series loss of the season. Max Scherzer starts against Diamondbacks righty Zac Gallen

Game #19 - Toronto Blue Jays (7-11) @ Arizona Diamondbacks (11-8)

 

Game #18 - Toronto Blue Jays (7-11) Brewers (10-8) - game recap

After dropping the game yesterday due to the inept offense and an unfortunate fielding error by catcher Brandon Valenzuela, the Blue Jays were looking to escape Milwaukee with their 2nd series win of the season. Patrick Corbin got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. Davis Schneider was in LF (batting leadoff) and Jesus Sanchez was in RF. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Kazuma Okamoto at 1B. Could the Blue Jays notch their 2nd series win of the season? Here is today's game recap. 

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 3rd on a sac fly by Tyler Heineman that scored Andres Gimenez 
• The Brewers tied it up in the bottom of the 4th on a sac fly by Luis Rengifo that scored Brice Turang
• Patrick Corbin pitching line: 5.1IP 4H 1R (earned) 1BB 6K 79 pitches (53 for strikes)
• Brandon Sproat pitching line: 6.2IP 4H 1R (earned) 1BB 6K 75 pitches (50 for strikes)
• The Brewers took the lead in the bottom of the 7th on a sac bunt by Joey Ortiz that scored Garrett Mitchell
• Angel Zerpa threw a scoreless 9th for his 2nd save of the season
• Final score: Brewers 2 Blue Jays 1

My Take:

• Both starting pitchers were equally effective today with Patrick Corbin and Brandon Sproat both surrendering a run on a sac fly. Both starters gave up 4 hits and walked a batter while striking out 6. Sproat was a bit more efficient going an extra inning and throwing four less pitches and a better strike to ball ratio. For Corbin, this will likely be his last start in a Blue Jays uniform with Trey Yesavage expected to return to the blue jays rotation next week. Jose Berrios shouldn't be too far behind either as he starts a rehab assignment.  Eric Lauer will likely be moved to the bullpen as a long man once Yesavage and Berrios return from injury. 
• The bullpen gave up a run on 3 hits while walking 2 and striking out 2 over the last 2.1 innings. Tommy Nance took the loss.  It's time for the Blue Jays to start working on infield defense because you can't be giving up runs on sac bunts. Alejandro Kirk can't return fast enough from his broken thumb
• The offense needs to find ways to manufacture runs. You can't expect the pitchers to have their best stuff going every game. Take the top of the 3rd for example, the Blue Jays got runners on the corners with none out and could only manage to bring in the one run on a sac fly. Vlad hit into a double play in the 6th inning and Davis Schneider was stranded at 3rd because Jesus Sanchez lined out to end the inning. In the 1st, 2nd, 5th and 8th innings, the Blue Jays were retired in order. This begs the question of who the team is missing more: Bo Bichette, who afforded some protection in the lineup because he was so consistent in hitting, or Don Mattingly, who played a large role in the offenses success from s coaching perspective last year. 
• There were 7 ABS calls that were overturned and one ABS call confirmed. Among the catchers requesting the challenges, Brewers catcher William Contreras was 2-1 and Tyler Heineman was a perfect 2-2. Jesus Sanchez was successful in both his challenges and Vlad got one ABS call overturned. You will see more challenges on days where umpires with bad reputations of high inaccuracy of calling balls and strikes is behind the plate. It will be interesting to see which umpire has the most overturned calls at the end of the season. 
• Up next, the Blue Jays continue the road trip in Arizona where they will look to snap a 2-game skid. The Blue Jays won the season series last year, outscoring the Diamondbacks 18-14. Eric Lauer starts against Diamondbacks righty Michael Soroka.

Game #18 - Toronto Blue Jays (7-10) @ Milwaukee Brewers (9-8)

 

Game #17 - Toronto Blue Jays (7-9) @ Milwaukee Brewers (8-8)