Game #110 Toronto Blue Jays (64-46) @ Baltimore Orioles (50-59) - game recap

Nathan Lukes hit a 3- run HR in a 9-8 comeback win over the Orioles

After getting swept in the double header yesterday,  the Blue Jays were trying to snap unge 4-game skid and avoid getting swept for the 5th time this season. Ace Jose Berrios got the start with Ali Sanchez behind the plate. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Will Wagner at 1B. Bo Bichette was back in the field after DH'ing in the second game of the double header.  Davis Schneider was in LF and Joey Loperfido was in RF. Addison Barger was at the hot corner and Ernie Clement got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays snap the 4 game skid and avoid being swept for the 5th time this season? Here is today's game recap. 

Game Highlights:

• The Orioles opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st on a sac fly by Adley Rutschman that scored Jackson Holliday
• A batter later,  Ryan O'Hearn hammered a 2-run bomb to right; also scoring Gunnar Henderson
• The Blue Jays got a pair back in the top of the 2nd as Myles Straw whacked a 2- run blast to left- center; also scoring Addison Barger 
• The Blue Jays tied the game in the top of the 5th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled scoring Ali Sanchez
• The Orioles retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Jordan Westburg belted a 2-run jack to left-center; also scoring Alex Jackson
• Jose Berrios pitching line: 4.1IP 6H 5R (2 earned) 0BB 3K 73 pitches (49 for strikes)
• Dean Kremer pitching line: 5IP 6H 3R (all earned) 2BB 5K 87 pitches (56 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 6th as Straw doubled scoring Davis Schneider
• The Blue jays took the lead in the top of the 7th as Bo Bichette singled scoring Joey Loperfido and Ernie Clement 
• Three batters later,  Nathan Lukes drilled a 3-run blast to right; also scoring Barger and Bichette
• The Orioles got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Henderson singled scoring Holliday
• A batter later,  Westburg scored on a fielding error by Blue Jays 1B Ernie Clement on a ball hit by Rutschman 
• Two batters later, Henderson was forced in on a bases loaded walk to Colton Cowser 
• Jeff Hoffman threw a perfect 9th for his 25th save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 9 Orioles 8

My Take:

• Jose Berrios battled through 4.1 innings, giving up 5 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits while walking none and striking out 3. A throwing error by Ernie Clement resulted in three unearned runs. He wasn't at his best, but he limited the damage after a rough 1st inning. 
• The bullpen gave up three runs (2 earned) on 4 hits while walking 2 and striking out 9 over the last 4.2 innings. Brandon Little, Seranthony Dominguez (who switched bullpen yesterday after a trade in the middle of yesterday's double header), Brayden Fisher and Jeff Hoffman all retired every batter they faced. Odd decision to use both lefty relievers back to back. It hindered the teams ability to match at the end of the ball game. 
• Myles Straw (3 RBI, including a 2- run HR), Vlad (RBI single), Bo Bichette (2-run single) and Nathan Lukes (3-run HR) drove the offense today
• Every Blue Jays starter reached base at least once and all but Addison Barger,  Will Wagner and Davis Schneider had a hit 
• The Blue Jays were 3-9 with runners in scoring position
• Up next,  after an off-day/travel day, the Blue Jays open a brief homestand against the Kansas City Royals, who took the season series last year 5-2, outscoring the Blue Jays 26-18. Michael Wacha starts for the Royals. The Blue Jays haven't set their rotation for the series yet

Game #110 Toronto Blue Jays (63-46) @ Baltimore Orioles (50-58)

 

Game #108 & #109 Toronto Blue Jays (63-44) @ Baltimore Orioles (48-58)

 

Game #107 Toronto Blue Jays (63-44) @ Baltimore Orioles (48-58) - game recap

 

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a 2-run HR in an 11-4 loss to the Orioles

After a tough loss yesterday due to the bullpen imploding, the Blue Jays were looking to start the week with a win as they continued the road trip in Baltimore. The Blue Jays and Orioles split the first 6 games of the season series with the Orioles outscoring the Blue Jays 35-29. Will Wagner is back from seeing his dad inducted into the baseball hall of fame and was reinstated from the restricted list. Alan Roden was optioned back to AAA-ball. Bowden Francis was transferred to the 60-day IL. Chris Bassitt got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. Addison Barger was in RF. Will Wagner got the start at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays start the week with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Orioles opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Cedric Mullin hammered a 2-run bomb to right; also scoring Ryan O'Hearn
• A batter later, Coby Mayo drilled a solo bomb to left-center
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 3rd as Nathan Lukes whacked a solo blast to right-center
• Two batters later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hammered a 2-run bomb to dead center; also scoring George Springer
• The Orioles retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Adley Rutschman doubled scoring Jordan Westburg and Gunnar Henderson
• Two batters later, Ramon Laureano singled scoring Rutschman
• Chris Bassitt pitching line: 2.1IP 7H 6R (all scored) 1BB 4K 69 pitches (43 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 4th on a line out hit by Will Wagner that scored Ernie Clement
• Zach Eflin pitching line: 4.1IP 8H 4R (all earned) 1BB 3K 79 pitches (56 for strikes)
• The Orioles added a run in the bottom of the 5th as O'Hearn doubled scoring Rutschman
• A batter later, Laureano belted a 2-run jack to left-center; also scoring O'Hearn
• Three batters later, Colton Cowser scored on a ground out hit by Mayo
• The Orioles added a run in the bottom of the 7th as Cowser hammered a solo bomb to dead center
• Very scary moment in the 9th inning with Springer getting drilled in the head by a fastball. Expect him to miss at least tomorrow's double header.
• Final score: Orioles 11 Blue Jays 4

My Take:

• Chris Bassit was lit up for 6 runs on 7 hits while walking 1 and striking out 4 over 1.2 innings. Unfortunate timig for a bad day at the office with the Blue Jays set for a double header tomorrow and an early game Wednesday. The Blue Jays may need to make a move for a fresh arm to get through tomorrow. the 27th man may not suffice. They have a few options in Baltimore with Lazaro Estrada, Paxton Schultz and Easton Lucas all having lockers. At least one will be the 27th man and possibly Justin Bruihl could be optioned since he has played 2 days in a row
• The bullpen gave up 5 runs on 11 hits while walking 2 and striking out 3 over the last 5.2 innings. Four of the runs were charged to Brandon Little who only retired one of the batters he faced. Brayden Fisher retired every batter he faced. A little surprised the Blue Jays didn't throw a position player out there to pitch the 9th.
• Offensively, Nathan Lukes (solo HR), Vlad (2-run HR) and Will Wagner (RBI lineout) carried the day
• Every Blue Jays starter except Addison Barger reached base at least once and all but Barger, Springer and Wagner had a hit
• There has to be comcerned about Springer's health after he wa drilled up high by a fastball. Luckily it hit his shoulder first and he was able to turn away to lessen the blow a tad. Very good sign he was able to walk off the field with the assistance of the two Blue Jays trainers. He likely won't play tomorrow and could be out longer if he has a concussion
• The Blue Jays were 0-7 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the first game of tomorrow's double headeer. Eric Lauer will start the 1st game. The Orioles haven't announced their starter for the 1st game.

Game #107 Toronto Blue Jays (63-43) @ Baltimore Orioles (47-58)