Game #95 Toronto Blue Jays (55-39) @ Athletics (39-57)

 

Game #94 Toronto Blue Jays (55-39) @ Athletics (39-57) - game recap

 

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. recorded his 1000th career hit in a 7-6 win over the A's

After an off-day/travel day yesterday, the Blue Jays opened their final series in Sacramento, the temporary home of the A's. The Blue Jays swept the A's at the end of May, outscoring the A's 39-18. The Blue Jays traded Will Robertson to the White Sox for cash considerations. Ryan Burr was placed on the 60-day IL with a right rotator cuff strain. Righty Tommy Nance was added to the 40-man roster. Max Scherzer got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday (George Springer served as DH today). Nathan Lukes was in LF (Joey Loperfido was a late scratch with an illness) and Addison Barger was in RF. Will Wagner got the start at the hot corner and Ernie Clement was at 2B. Could the Blue Jays start the weekend and last series of the unofficial first half of the season? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 4th on a sac fly by Ernie Clement that scored Bo Bichette
• Vladimie Guerrero Jr. hit a single in the top of the 5th to reach the 1000 hit milestone
• Two batters later, George Springer scored on a double steal
• Two batters later, Alejandro Kirk singled scoring Guerrero Jr. and Addison Barger
• Three batters later, Myles Straw singled scoring Kirk
• a batter later, Nathan Lukes singled scoring Ernie Clement and Will Wagner
• Luis Severino pitching line: 4.2IP 7H 5R (1 earned) 2BB 8K 96 pitches (61 for strikes)
• The A's got a pair back in the bottom of the 6th as Nick Kurtz hammered a two-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Brent Rooker
• Two batters later, Tyler Soderstrom hammered a solo bomb to dead center 
• Max Scherzer pitching line: 6IP 5H 3R (all earned) 1BB 8K 90 pitches (59 for strikes)
• The A's got one back in the bottom of the 9th as Max Muncy drilled a solo bomb to dead center
• Four batters later, Zack Gelof scored on a wild pitch by Jeff Hoffman
• Same batter, Rooker singled scoring Denzel Clarke 
• Final score:  Blue Jays 7 A's 6

My Take:

• Max Scherzer fired 6 solid innings, giving up three runs on five hits while walking one and striking out eight. The extra day of rest did wonders for the veteran righty with the cranky thumb. Scherzer was able to throw 90 pitches, which is very encouraging, especially considering his thumb was reportedly very swollen after his last start that he left after throwing 72 pitches in 4 innings. The Blue Jays definitely need to look at acquiring a pitcher at the trade deadline and using a six-man rotation in the second half.
• The bullpen gave up 3 runs on 5 hits while walking 1 and striking out 7 over the last 3 innings. The Blue Jays also need to look at acquiring a bullpen arm or two at the trade deadline. Your closer having an ERA over 5.00 is not ideal. Also, the health of Yimi Garcia and Nick Sandlin are in question. Ryan Burr is likely done for the year since the Blue Jays put him straight onto the 60-day IL since the MRI results obiously weren't encouraging. Yariel Rodriguez and Bryan Litlle both retired every batter they faced
• The offence did most of the damage in th 5th inning on a sloppy inning for Severino and the A's defense since just 2 of the 6 runs scored that inning were earned. Congrats to Vladdy on becoming the youngest Blue Jay to reach that milestone
• The Blue Jays were 4-11 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to seven games and notch their 16th series win of the season. Kevin Gausman starts against A's lefty Jacob Lopez

Game #94 Toronto Blue Jays (54-39) @ Athletics (39-56)

 

Game #93 Toronto Blue Jays (54-39) @ Chicago White Sox (31-62) - game recap

 

Tyler Heineman drove in the Blue Jays only run in a 2-1 come-from-behind loss to the White Sox

After yet another win on the strength of a 5- run 3rd inning in a rain-shortened game yesterday, the Blue Jays were looking to increase the win streak to a franchise- record tying 11 games and to complete their 8th series sweep and notch their 10th season series win of the season. Eric Lauer got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Will Wagner at 1B. Joey Loperfido was in LF, Myles Straw was in CF and Nathan Lukes was in RF. Leo Jimenez got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays tie the franchise record of 11 straight wins, complete their 8th series sweep and notch their 10th season series win of the season? Here is today's game recap. 

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Tyler Heineman singled scoring Will Wagner 
• The White Sox tied it up in the bottom of the 4th as Edgar Quero doubled scoring Austin Slater
• Two batters later, Lenyn Sosa singled scoring Quero
• Eric Lauer pitching line: 4IP 4H 2R ,(both earned) 1BB 7K 68 pitches (44 for strikes)
• Ryan Burr left his appearance in the 7th inning with a shoulder injury. Very likely going on the IL
• Adrian Houser pitching line: 7IP 7H 1R ,(earned) 2BB 2K 96 pitches (70 for strikes)
• Jordan Leasure pitched a perfect 9th for his 2nd save of the season.
• Final score: White Sox 2 Blue Jays 1

My Take:

• Eric Lauer battled through 4 innings, giving up a pair of runs on 4 hits while walking 1 and striking out 7. John Schneider should have given him an extra inning or two.  Lauer was great the first 3 innings, retiring 9 of the first 10 batters he faced. Yes, he had a stressful and long inning in the 4th, but the bullpen has pitched a ton of innings in the 1st half. With the uncertainty with Max Scherzer's thumb injury and the uncertainty of Alek Manoah when he likely returns in August, I can see the Blue Jays going to a six-man rotation in the second half of the season. They will also likely look at acquiring a starting pitcher or long reliever at the trade deadline to give the team more options to save the bullpen down the stretch.
• The bullpen threw 4 shutout innings, allowing 2 hits, walking none and striking out 5. Kudos to Yariel Rodriguez, who inherited a 3-2 count when he came into the game for Burr, who was forced to leave the game mid-at-bat after reinjuring his shoulder, and struck out the batter on his first pitch.
• There has to be big concerns for Burr, who just came back after missing the first three months with a shoulder injury. Don't be surprised if this injury ends his season. He has a history with shoulder issues already and it is not a good sign he hurt it again so soon after coming off the IL. The Blue Jays are already trying to do without Yimi Garcia and Nick Sandlin. Good thing the all-star break is coming up soon
• Offensively, the Blue Jays were unable to capitalize on their opportunities. For sure, a soggy field was a big factor. Vlad getting thrown out at 3rd base on a bad base running decision didn't help. Neither did grounding into 2 double plays and Leo Jimenez lining into a 3rd double play.
• The Blue Jays were 1-9 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, after an off-day/travel day tomorrow, the Blue Jays head west to Sacramento, the temporary home of the Athletics, who will be moving to Las Vegas in a couple of years. The Blue Jays. The Blue Jays swept the A's in Toronto at the end of May, outscoring the A's 18-14. Max Scherzer starts against A's righty Luis Severino

Game #93 Toronto Blue Jays (54-38) @ Chicago White Sox (30-62)