Ernie Clement hit a solo home run in a 9-1 loss to the Dodgers |
After falling short yesterday against legendary lefty Clayton Kershaw, the Blue Jays were trying to even the series and avoid their 11th series loss and 4th season series loss of the season. Chris Bassitt got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Ty France at 1B. Buddy Kennedy was at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays even the series and avoid their 11th series loss and 4th season series loss of the season? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Dodgers opened the scoring in the bottom of the 4th as Max Muncy whacked a 2-run blast to the opposite field in left; also scoring Freddie Freeman
- The Dodgers opened the scoring in the bottom of the 5th as Shohei Ohtani hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- Blake Snell pitching line: 5IP 3H 0R 3BB 10K 90 pitches (53 for strikes)
- Chris Bassitt pitching line: 4.2IP 6H 3R (all earned) 2BB 2K 68 pitches (43 for strikes)
- The Dodgers added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 6th as Dalton Rushing singled scoring Andy Pages and Michael Conforto
- Two batters later, Mookie Betts singled scoring Alex Freeland and Rushing
- Four batters later Pages doubled scoring Ohtani and Betts
- The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 8th as Ernie Clement belted a solo jack to left-center
- Final score: Dodgers 9 Blue Jays 1
My Take:
- Chris Bassitt battled through 4.2 innings, giving up three runs on 6 hits while waking 2 and striking out 2. The Dodgers went deep on him twice for the 3 runs against. Both he and Kevin Gausman are prone to bad starts. One might be left off an ALDS roster or asked to pitch out of the bullpen with Jose Berrios, Shane Bieber and Eric Lauer likely to be tapped to make a playoff start. For sure John Schneider and Co. wiill be closely watching the next several starts of Bassitt and Gausman to determine the playoff rotation.
- The bullpen was lit up for 6 runs on 4 hits while walking 3 and striking out 6 over the last 3.1 innings. Seranthony Domiguez, acquired at the deadline to bolster the bullpen, uncorked 2 wild pitches and was responsible for 2 of the runs against. Yariel Rodriguez, who retired just one batter, was charged with 4 runs against. Brayden Fisher and Tommy Nance both retired every batter they faced and combined for 4 strikeouts.
- Ernie Clement broke the shutout bid with a solo HR in the 8th inning
- Baseball can be such as humbling sport. After making the Colorado Rockies look like a francise that might struggle to compete in AAA-ball, the Dodgers are making the Blue Jays look like an AAA-level team. There is a vast difference in talent between the Rockies and Dodgers and the two extremes could be a strong argument for a salary cap so there is more parity in the league and a team like the Dodgers can't buy every single significant free agent.
- The Blue Jays received help from San Diego to keep the division lead at 3 games. Houston Also lost so they remain the 3rd best division leader and would be facing a wild card series if the playoffs started tomorrow and the Tigers and Blue Jays would have byes to the ALDS. The Blue Jays would also have home field advantage at least through the ALCS.
- The Blue Jays were 0-6 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 2-game skid and avoid being swept for the 5th time (and 3rd season series sweep). Eric Lauer starts against Dodgers righty Tyler Glasnow