Game #104 Toronto Blue Jays (62-42) @ Detroit Tigers (60-45) - game recap

 

Bo Bichette hit a 2-run double in a 6-2 comeback win over the Tigers

After routing the Tigers yesterday on the strength of 11 runs over 3 innings and 8 strong innings from Eric Lauer, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 3 games. Ace Jose Berrios got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday (George Springer served as DH tonight. Addison Barger was in RF and Will Wagner was at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 3 games? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Tigers opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Dillon Dingler doubled scoring Wenceel Perez
• The Blue jays tied it up in the top of the 4th as Addison Barger doubled scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• Two batters later, Barger scored on a throwing error by Tigers SS Javier Baez on a ball hit by Joey Loperfido 
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 5th as Guerrero Jr. doubled scoring Nathan Lukes 
• A batter later, Bo Bichette doubled scoring Guerrero Jr and George Springer
• Two batters later, Alejandro Kirk singled home Bichette
• Weider Montero pitching line: 4IP 9H 6R (5 earned) 0BB 3K 76 pitches (56 for strikes)
• The Tigers got one back in the bottom of the 6th as Spencer Torkelson belted a solo jack to left-center
• Jose Berrios pitching line: 6IP 5H 2R (both earned) 2BB 6K 85 pitches (64 for strikes)
• Final score: Blue Jays 6 Tigers 2

My Take:

• Jose Berrios pitched 6 solid innings, giving up a pair of runs on 6 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6. While Berrios was working his way in and out of jams most of the night, he did have an out streak of 7 batters. Berrios will definitely be in the playoff rotation, 
• The bullpen threw 3 perfect innings, striking out 3. Hat tip to Addison Barger for a nice sliding catch
• Vlad (2 runs scored, RBI), Bo Bichette (run scored, 2 RBI) and Addison Barger (run scored, RBI) provided the offense today
• The Blue Jays were 4-15 with runners in scoring position
• This team continues to find ways to win. Tonight was their 33rd comeback win of the season. The 1992 team had 40 comeback wins, the following year the Blue Jays had 44 comeback wins. 
• Who had the Blue Jays with the best record in baseball at any point in the season? This team continues to get hits at opportune times, the starting pitching has been excellent as of late and every plsyer on the team wants in on the success. 
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 4 games, notch their 19th series win and 12 season series win of the season. Kevin Gausman starts against Tigers lefty Tarik Skubal

Game #104 Toronto Blue Jays (61-42) @ Detroit Tigers (60-44)

 

Game #103 Toronto Blue Jays (61-42) @ Detroit Tigers (60-44) - game recap

 

Eric Lauer threw 8 strong innings in an 11-4 comeback win over the Tigers

After a huge win over the Yankees thanks to a 2-RBI, 2 runs scored effort from Vlad and 7.1 strong innings from Chris Bassitt,  the Blue Jays were looking to make it two straight wins as they began a road trip in Detroit tonight.  The Tigers took the series in Toronto back in mid-May,  outscoring the Blue Jays 9-8. 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, Nathan Lukes was in CF and George Springer was in RF. Addison Barger was at the hot corner and Ernie Clement got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 2 games? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Tigers opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Jahmai Jones whacked a solo blast to left-center
• The Blue Jays tied it up in the top of the 6th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled scoring George Springer
• Three batters later, Ernie Clement drilled a 3-run bomb to left-center; also scoring Guerrero Jr. and Addison Barger
• A batter later, Joey Loperfido smacked a solo blast to right-center
• Reese Olson pitching line: 5.2IP 6H 5R (all earned) 2BB 4K 95 pitches (57 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 7th as Guerrero Jr. singled scoring Nathan Lukes
• Two batters later, Barger tripled scoring Guerrero Jr, and Bo Bichette
• A batter later, Barger scored on a sac fly by Clement
• The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the top of the 8th as Lukes hammered a 2-run bomb to right; also scoring Will WaThegner
• Eric Lauer pitching line: 8IP 5H 1R (earned) 0BB 6K 97 pitches (71 for strikes)
• The Tigers got one back in the bottom of the 9th as Spencer Torkelson drilled a solo blast to left
• Three batters later, Riley Greene scored on a ground out hit by Wenceel Perez
• Two batters later, Colt Keith singled scoring Matt Vierling
• Final score: Blue Jays 11 Tigers 4

My Take:

• Eric Lauer was excellent again, giving up a run on 5 hits while walking none and striking out 6. He retired 11 in a row at one point. Lauer is making a strong case to use a 6-man rotation the rest of the way and to be a starter in the playoffs. At this point, I would give him the ball in game 1 of a playoff series.
• Chad Green on the other hand is pitching his way off the team and could be a roster move (DFA) when the acquired players join the team. Green was roughed up for 3 runs on 4 hits in the 9th inning. The Blue Jays almost had to use a second reliever to end the game.
• Offensively, Vlad (2 runs scored, 2RBI), Nathan Lukes (2 runs scored, 2RBI), Addison Barger (2 runs scored, 2RBI), and Ernie Clement (4RBI, including a 3-run HR) carried the team to victory 
• Every Blue Jays starter had a hit and all but Tyler Heineman either scored a run or drove in a run
• The comeback kids did it again. The Blue Jays now have 32 comeback wins on the season, They will be a tough elimination in the playoffs
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 3 games. Ace Jose Berrios starts against Tigers righty Keider Montero

Game #103 Toronto Blue Jays (60-42) @ Detroit Tigers (60-43)

 

Game #102 New York Yankees (56-46) @ Toronto Blue Jays (60-42) - game recap

 

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drove in a pair of runs and scored a pair of runs in an 8-4 comeback win over the Yankees

After a tough loss last night due to Jeff Hoffman being taken deep in the 9th, the Blue Jays were looking to notch their 17th series win and 11th season series win of the season. Chris Bassitt got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Davis Schneider was in LF and Myles Straw was in CF. Ernie Clement was at the hot corner and Leo Jimenez got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays notch their 17th series win and 11th season series win of the season? Here is tonight's game recap

Game Highlights:

• The Yankees opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Jesson Dominguez whacked a solo blast to right-center and into the Yankees bullpen
• The Blue Jays tied it up in the bottom of the 4th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled scoring George Springer
• Four batters later, Ernie Clement singled scoring Guerrero Jr.
• The Yankees tied it in the top of the 5th as Anthony Volpe smacked a solo blast to left-center\
• The Blue Jays retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning on a fielder's choice hit by Springer that scorred Davis Schneider and Springer. Yankees stater Max Fried was charged with a throwing error on the play
• The Yankees tied it in thew bottom half of the inning as Aaron Judge smashed a 2-run blast to the opposite field in right-center; also scoring Trent Grisham
• The Blue Jays retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Myles Straw doubled scoring Clement
• Two batters, Straw scored on a fielding error by Fried on a ball hit by Will Wagner
• Max Fried pitching line: 6.1IP  6H 6R (4 earned) 3BB 3K 102 pitches (60 for strikes)
• Yankees manager Aaron Boone and Yankeees pitching coachMatt Blake were both ejected in the top of the 7th for arguing balls and strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 7th as Bo Bichette belted a 2-run jack to left-center; also scoring Guerrero Jr.
• Chris Bassitt pitching line: 7.1IP 3H 4R (3 earned) 0BB 8K 94 pitches (63 for strikes)
• Final score: Blue Jays 8 Yankees 4

My Take:

• Chris Bassitt fired 7.1 innings, giving up 4 runs (3 earned) on  3 hits while walking none and striking out 8. Bassitt got an assist by the Blue Jays video guys on a successful challenge of a safe call at 1B on the first batter of the game. He had out streaks of 5, 6, and 8 batters. I would have let Bassitt try to finish the 8th inning.
• The bullpen gave up 2 hits over the last 1.2 innings. Yariel Rodriguez retired every batter he faced
• Vlad (2 runs scored, 2RBI), Bo Bichette (2-run HR), Ernie Clement (run scored, RBI), Myles Straw (run scored, RBI) and George Springer (2 runs scored) drove the offence today
• The Blue Jays were 4-13 with runners in scoring position
• Tonight was the Blue Jays 31st comeback win. They had 50 comeback wins in 1987 (the most in franchise history in a single season). They had 40 comebacks wins in 1992 and 44 comeback wins the following year. Nobody is going to want to face the Blue Jays in the playoffs
• Up next, the Blue Jays hit the road, beginning in Detroit tomorrow night. The Tigers took the series in Toronto back in mid-May, outscoring the Blue Jays 9-8. Eric Lauer starts against Tigers righty Reese Olson