Game #62 Toronto Blue Jays (29-32) @ Atlanta Barves (41-20)

 

Game #61 - Toronto Blue Jays (29-32) @ Atlanta Braves (41-20) - game recap

 

Kazuma Okamoto hit a 2-run HR in a losing effort as the Braves hung on to edge the Blue Jays 4-3

After an off-day/travel day yesterday, the Blue Jays continued the road trip in Atlanta. The Blue Jays won the season series last year, outscoring the Braves 13-12. Ace Kevin Gausman got the start with Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate. George Springer was back in the lineup at DH after the complete day off Sunday. Vlad was back in the field after the half day off as DH Sunday. Nathan Lukes was in LF and Yohendrick Pinago was in RF. Could the Blue Jays snap the 2-game skid and start the week with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Braves opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Michael Harris II doubled scoring Ronald Acuna Jr,
• Two batters later, Harris II scored on a sac fly by Ozzie Albies
• The Blue jays tied it in the top of the 2nd as Kazuma Okamoto whacked a 2-run blast to the opposite field in right; also scoring Yohendrick Pinago 
• The Braves retook the lead in the bottom of the 3rd as Albies singled scoring Matt Olson
• The Blue Jays tied it in the top of the 6th on a sac fly by Daulton Varsho that scored Nathan Lukes
• The Braves retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Olson smacked a solo blast to right
• Bryce Elder pitching line: 6.2IP  6H 3R (all earned) 1BB 6K 103 pitches (64 for strikes)
• Kevin Gausman pitching line: 6IP 5H 4R (all earned) 2BB 8K 96 pitches (58 for strikes)
• Raisel Iglesias threw a scoreless 9th for his 11th save of the season
• Final score: Braves 4 Blue Jays 3

My Take:

• Kevin Gausman battled through 6 innings, giving up 4 runs on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 8. The Braves got to him right away, scoring twice in the 1st inning. Three starters may be getting close to returning with Shane Bieber, Max Scherzer and Dylan Cease all eyeing starting rehab assignments in the coming days. This will take the pressure off Gausman to have to pitch deep in games to save the bullpen.
• The bullpen pittched 2 scoreless innings. Brayden Fisher and Connor Seabold both retired every batter they faced
• Offensively, Kazuma Okanoto (2-run HR) and Daulton Varsho had clutch game-tying RBI's, but the Blue Jays weren't able to score the go-ahead run. Caase in point, 9th inning, the Blue Jays had 2 chances to at least send the game to extra innings, only to see Andres Gimenez and pinch hitter Jesus Sanchez pop out to end the game. George Springer and Vlad both need to do more to help out.
• Lots of ABS challenges in this one. Brandon Valenzuela was unsuccessful in the Blue Jays only ABS challenge. The Braves were a perfect 4-for-4 with Braves catcher Sandy Leon overturning three ABS challenges
• The Blue Jays were 0-6 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 3-game skid and avoid their 10th series loss and 5th season series loss of the season. Patricjk Corbin starts against Braves righty Grant Holmes

Game #61 Toronto Blue Jays (29-31) @ Atlanta Barves (40-20)

 

Game #60 - Toronto Blue Jays (29-31) @ Baltimore Orioles (28-32) - game recap

 

Yohendrick Pinago hit a 3-run HR in a 9-5 loss to the Orioles

After a brutal come-from behind loss yesterday after another brutal Jeff Hoffman meltdown, the Blue Jays were looking to escape Baltimore with their 9th series win of the season. Spencer Miles got the start with Brandon Valenzuuela behind the plate. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Charles McAdoo at 1B. Could the Blue Jays notch their 9th series win of the season? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Orioles opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd on a ground out hit by Colton Cowser that scored Pete Alonso
• The Orioles addeed a run in the bottom of the 3rd as Alonso singled scoring Gunnar Henderson
• A batter later, Samuel Bassalo doubled scoring Adley Rutschman
• Two batters later, Cowser hammered a 3-run bomb to right-center; also scoring Alonso and Basallo
• Spencer Miles pitching line: 3IP 5H 6R (all earned) 3BB 2K 70 pitches (47 for strikes)
• The Orioles added a run in the bottom of the 6th on a fielder's choice hiit by Taylor Ward that scored Cowser
• A batter later, Henderson doubled scoring Blaze Alexander
• A batter after that, Ward scored on a sac fly by Rutschman
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 7th on a fielder's choice hit by Charles McAdoo that scored Ernie Clement. Orioles 2B was charged with a throwing error on the play
• Kyle Bradish pitching line: 7IP 4H 1R (unearned) 3BB 4K 94 pitches (56 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 8th as Clement doubled scoring Nathan Lukes
• A batter later, Yohendrick Pinago hammered a 3-run bomb to right; also scoring Clement and Kazuma Okamoto
• Final score: Orioles  Blue Jays 5

My Take:

• The baseball gods have a way of humbling baseball players playing well. Today, it was Spencer Miles' turn. Miles was lit up for 6 runs on 5 hits while walking 3 and striking out 2 over 3 innings. He took 70 pitches to get 9 outs. Every pitcher is due for a stinker every now and then so hopefully this is just a one-off.
• The bullpen gave up 3 runs on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 4 over the last 5 innings Hayden Juenger, making his big league debut, was responsible for all 3 runs given up by the bullpen. Mason Fluharty was the only reliever to retire every batter he faced, striking out the side in the bottom of thec 8th
• Offensively, Ernie Clement (2 runs scored, RBI) and Yohendrick Pinago (3-run HR) carried the day. Vlad should go back to hitting 3rd in the order because hitting 2nd isn't helping him.
• As if the injury situation couldn't get any kookier, Jesus Sanchez was forced to leave the game in the 6th after a fan threw a ball on the field, evidently misinterpreting a friendly chat as an invitation to play catch. Hopefully he won't miss more than a day or two.
• All three ABS challenges were successfully overturned with the Blue Jays overturning 2 ABS challenges and the Orioles overturning 1 ABS challenge
• The Blue Jays were 2-4 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, after an off-day tomorrow, the Blue Jays continue the road trip in Atlanta. The Blue Jays won the season series last year, outscoring the Braves 13-12. Ace Kevin Gausman starts for the Blue Jays. The Braves haven't set their rotation for the series yet.

Game #60 Toronto Blue Jays (29-30) @ Baltimore Orioles (27-32)