Game #7 Washington Nationals (1-4) v. Toronto Blue Jays (4-2)

 

Game #6 - Washington Nationals (1-4) @ Toronto Blue Jays (4-2) - game recap

 

Bo Bichette hit a clutch 2-run single in the 8th inning in a 5-3 win over the Nationals

After a solid win on the backs of a strong start from Bowden Francis and a red-hot Andres Gimenez scoring three times, including a mammoth HR, the Blue Jays were trying to extend the win streak to 3 games and to notch their first series win of the season. Prior to the game, the Blue Jays traded righty Nick Robertson to the Astros for righty Edinson Batista. Robertson made one appearance for the Blue Jays this season, tossing a scoreless inning. Batista was 6-6 with a 5.01ERA in 26 appearances (16 starts) last season in high-A ball. Ace Jose Berrios got the start tonight with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Anthony Santander was in LF, George Springer was in CF and Alan Roden got the start in RF. Ernie Clement got the start at the hot corner with Will Wagner serving as DH. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 3 games and notch their 1st series win of the season? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as George Springer singled scoring Andres Gimenez
• Two batters later, Alejandro Kirk scored on a fielder's choice hit by Ernie Clement. Will Wagner was out at 2nd on the play
• A batter later, Alan Roden singled home Sprimger
• The Nationals got a pair back in the top of the 6th as Keibert Ruiz singled scoring Jacob Young and CJ Abrams
• Jose Berrios pitching line: 5IP 10H 3R (all earned) 0BB 3K 84 pitches (53 for strikes)
• Trevor Williams  pitching line: 5IP 4H 2R (both earned) 3BB 8K 95 pitches (59 for strikes)
• The Nationals tied it in the top of the 7th as Abrams doubled scoring Alex Call
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the 8th as Bo Bichette singled scoring Springer and Wagner
• Jeff Hoffman pitched a perfect 9th for his ssecond save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 5 Nationals 3

My Take:

• Like Bowden Francis yesterday, Jose Berrios was excellent first time through the order, facing the minimum and walking a batter. It was the 6th inning where he ran into trouble, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk. He should have stayed in a batter longer to save the bullpen.
• The bullpen gave up a run on 2 hits while walking 1 and strkiing out 4 over the las 3.1 innings. Lefty Mason Fluharty made his big league debut, giving up a hit and punching out the first batter of his career. It's key to have at least a couple of lefty relievers in the bullpen to face the left-handed batters and switch hitters in the lineup.
• Offensively the Blue Jays put together a 3-run rally in the 2nd on 5 hits and Bo Bichette had a clutch 2-run single in the 8th. 
• The Blue Jays had plenty of chances and went 4-10 with runners in scoring position
• Bo and Vlad have the biggest expectations heading into free agency. While Vlad will likely get bigger $$, Bo Bichette is more consistent as a hitter and should also receive a big payday
• Who had Andres Gimenez leadinf the teams (and the only one with a HR) with 3HR
• Up next, the Blue Jays go for 4 straight wins and completing their first sweep of the season. The Blue Jays will either start Kevin Gausman as scheduled or go with a bullpen day with either Yariel Rodriguez ot lefty Easton Lucas. The Nationals will counter with lefty MacKenzie Gore 

Game #6 Washington Nationals (1-3) v. Toronto Blue Jays (3-2)

 

Game #5 - Washington Nationals (1-3) @ Toronto Blue Jays (3-2) - game recap

 

Andres Gimenez scored 3 runs and drove in a run in a 5-2 win over the Nationals

After eking out a series split against the Orioles, the Blue Jays were going for their second straight win as they opened a series against the Nationals, who won the season series last year and outscored the Blue Jays 23-17. Bowden Francis got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. The rest of the lineup was the same as yesterday's thrilling win, but Nathan Lukes was in CF. Could the Blue Jays build their first multi-win streak of the season? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in bottom of the 2nd as Andres Gimenez hammered a solo bomb off the basing of the 3rd deck
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 3rd as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled scoring Alan Roden
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 4th as Alejandro Kirk doubled scoring Gimenez
• Three batters later, Kirk scored on a fielder's choice hit by Nathan Lukes
• The Nationals got one back in the top of the 6th as CJ Abrams hammered a solo bomb off the basing of the 2nd deck
• A batter later, James Wood belted a solo jack to the opposite field in left-center
• Mike Soroka pitching line: 5IP 5H 4R (all earned) 1BB 3K 83 pitches (57 for strikes)
• Bowden Francis pitching line: 6IP 2H 2R (both earned) 3BB 4K 91 pitches (58 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 8th as George Springer singled scoring Gimnez
• Yimi Garcia threw a pefect 9th inning for his 1st save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 5 Nationals 2

My Take:

• Bowden Francis was solid today, spinning a no-hitter through 5 innings that was promptly broken up by back to back solo HR to start the 6th inning. Francis was excellent in the 2nd half of the 2024 season and he picked up where he left off. He had out streaks of 6 and 8 batters With the uncertainty of Max Scherzer's spot in the rotation, the Blue Jays need Francis to pitch well and eat some innings.
• The bullpen threw 3 scoreless innings, giving up 3 hits, walking none and striking out 5. Yimi Garcia retired every batter he faced\
• Andres Gimenez continued his hot streak, going 2 for 2 with 3 runs scored, including a monster HR, and he drew a walk. Alejandro Kirk drove in a run and scored a run. On two separate occasions, Kirk's lack of speed cost the team a run (he would later score in the 4th inning, but pretty much any runner would have scored from 2nd base on the Will Wagner single to CF)
• The Blue Jays were 6-13 with runners in scoring position
• With the win, the Blue Jays are above .500 for the first time. While they won the opening day game last season, it took until game 17 to be above .500 again and they never reached that mark again after falling to .500 in game 26. Let's see how the team hansles this early success
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 3 games and notch their 1st series win of the season. Jose Berrios starts against Nationals righty Trevor Williams

Game #5 Washington Nationals (1-2) v. Toronto Blue Jays (2-2)