Game #26 Toronto Blue Jays (12-13) @ New York Yankees (15-10)

 

Game #25 - Toronto Blue Jays (12-13) @ Houston Astros (13-11) - game recap

 

George Springer drove in the Blue Jays only run in a 3-1 loss to the Astros

After another tough loss due to minimal output from a struggling offense and a tough 1st inning from starter Chris Bassitt, the Blue Jays were trying to snap the 4-game losing streak and avoid being swept for the 1st time this season. Bowden Francis got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday (Anthony Santander served as DH tonight.) George Springer was in CF and Addison Barger was in RF. Will Wagner was at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays snap the 4-game skid and avoid being swept for the 1st time this season? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Astros opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Christian Walker belted a solo jack to left-center
• Two batters later, Zach Dezenzo singled scoring Yainer Diaz
• Four batters later, Dezenzo s scored on a sac fly by Yordan Alvarez
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 4th as George Springer doubled scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• Bowden Francis pitching line: 4.2IP 8H 3R (all earned) 1BB 2K 79 pitches (55 for strikes)
• Ryan Gusto pitching line: 5.2IP 3H 1R (earned) 1BB 6K 80 pitches (47 for strikes)
• Josh Hader pitched a scoreless 9th for his 7th save of the season
• Final score: Astros 3 Blue Jays 1

My Take:

• Bowden Francis battled through 4.2 innings, giving up 3 runs on 8 hits while walking 1 and striking out 2. Like last night, the Astros did their damage in one inning - the 2nd inning tonight - scoring 3 times on 5 hits and a sac fly. In fact, the Astros got 5 straight hits and scored 2 of the runs before Francis was able to get an out. Not too surprising that Francis got the quick hook given the terrible time the offense has had lately.
• The bullpen gave the offense a chance, throwing 3.1 shutout innnigs, giving up 5 hits, walking none and striking out 4
• George Springer drove in the lone Blue Jays run and had an excellent 10-pitch at-bat in the 9th, drawing a 1-out walk. Sadly, he was stranded at 3rd and Ernie Clement at 2nd base (great call by John Schneider picking him to pinch hit) when Alejandro Kirk went down swinging and Myles Straw popped out to end the game. Much like last season, the inability to drive in runners and lack of power is greatly impacting the Blue Jays
• The Blue Jays were 0-5 with runners in scoring position
• This season is going a bit worse than last year. After 25 games last season, the Blue Jays were a game above .500 and tonight's loss put them a game below .500
• Up next, after a off-day tomorrow, the Blue Jays head to the Bronx where they will take on the Yankees. who won the season series 7-6, outscoring the Blue Jays 74-64. Ace Jose Berrios starts against Yankees righty Carlos Carrasco

Game #25 Toronto Blue Jays (12-12) @ Houston Astros (12-11)

 

Game #24 - Toronto Blue Jays (12-12) @ Houston Astros (12-11) - game recap

 

Nathan Lukes hit a solo HR in a 5-1 loss to the Astros

After a brutal shuloss with really nothing positive occurring in the game, the Blue Jays were looking to snap the 3-game skid and even the series in Houston. Daulton Varsho is inching closer to making his season debut as he was promoted to AAA-ball to face pitching closer to what he'll face in the bigs. Chris Bassitt got the start with Alejanndro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Will Wagner at 1B. Nathan Lukes was in CF. Could the Blue Jays snap the 3-game skid and even the series? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Astros opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Jeremy Pena singled scoring Jose Altuve
• A batter later, Christian Walker singled scoring Yordan Alvarez
• A batter after that, Pena scored on a sac fly by Brendan Rodgers
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 3rd as Nathan Lukes whacked a solo blast to right-center
• The Astros added a run in the bottom of the 6th as Yainer Diaz doubled scoring Walker 
• Chris Bassitt pitching line: 5.2IP 7H 4R (all earned) 1BB 3K 96 pitches (69 for strikes)
• Ronel Blanco pitching line: 6.2IP 2H 1R (earned) 2BB 3K 93 pitches (58 for strikes)
• The Astros added a run in the bottom of the 7th as Isaac Paredes hammered a solo bomb to left
• Final score: Astros 5 Blue Jays 1

My Take

• Chris Bassitt battled through 5.2 innings, giving up 4 runs on 7 hits while walking 1 and striking out 3. The Astros got to him early, scoring 3 runs on 4 hits and a sac fly. He retired 7 m a row at one point. Not the most efficient game for him
• The bullpen gave up a run on 3 hits while walking 1 and striking out 5 over the last 2.1 innnigs. Yariel Rodriguez barely escaped his inning and got a huge break when Pena got greedy and tried to stretch a single into a double. Mason Fluhaerty struck out the side in the 8th inning.
• The offense had another rough day with a Nathan Lukes solo blast being the only positive of note. The Blue Jays did not get a base runner past 1st base.
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 4-game skid and avoid being swept for the 1st time this season.Bowden Francis starts against Astros righty Ryan Gusto

Game #24 Toronto Blue Jays (12-11) @ Houston Astros (11-11)