Game #13 - Minnesota Twins (7-7) @ Toronto Blue Jays (6-7) - game recap

 

Davis Schneider scored twice and drove in 2 runs in a 10-4 comeback win over the Twins

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After an off-day yesterday, the Blue Jays opened a series against the Twins. The Blue Jays took the season series last year outscoring the Twins 38-33. Patrick Corbin got the start with Patrick Valenzuela behind the plate. Davis Schneider was in LF and Jesus Sanchez was in RF. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 2 games and start the weekend with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Twins took the lead in the top of the 1st as Ryan Jeffers whacked a 3-run blast to left-center; also scoring Austin Martin and Luke Keaschall
• The Twins added a run in the top of the 4th as Brooks Lee belted a solo jack to left
• The Blue jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Jesus Sanchez doubled scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr 
• Two batters later, Davis Schneider doubled home Sanchez
• Two batters later, Andres Gimenez singled scoring Schneider
• A batter later, Brandon Valenzuela smashed a 2-run blast to right and into the Twins bullpen; also scoring Gimenez
• Patrick Corbin pitching line: 4IP 6H 4R (all earned) 1BB 3K 85 pitches (52 for strikes)
• Simeon Woods Richardson pitching line: 4IP 6H 5R (all earned) 1BB 2K 68 pitches (47 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 5th as Daulton Varsho drilled a solo blast to right-center
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 6th as Ernie Clement doubled scoring Schneider
• Three batters later, George Springer doubled scoring Clement
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottiom of the 7th as Schneider singled scoring Guerrero Jr.
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 8th as Guerrero Jr. doubled scoring Valenzuela
• Final score: Blue Jays 10 Twins 4

My Take:

• Paatrick Corbin battled through 4 innings, giving up 4 runs on 6 hits while walking 1 and striking out 3. The Blue Jays might have rushed him to play in the majors with the current health of the starting rotation with 8 starters either too hurt to play, playing hurt or very ill. If Corbin plays well, he might get a spot in the bullpen, but he won't be in the rotation when Jose Berrios, Trey Yesavage and Shane Bieber return from the IL.
• The bullpen slammed the door shut with 5 shutout innings, giving up 1 hit, walking 1 and striking out nine. Lefty Joe Mantiply, who struck out the side in his inning of work, was credited with the win. Brayden Fisher, who had 2 perfect innings and struck out 4 also deserves an honorable mention.
• The offense started rolling in the 5th inning and plated at leas one run in each of the last 4 innings. Davis Schneider (2RBI, 2 runs scored), Vlad (an RBI, 2 runs scored) and Brandon Valenzuela (2 runs scored, including a 2-run HR, the first of his big-league career) led the way. 
• Every Blue Jays starter except Kazuma Okamoto had a hit and either scored a run or drove in a run. It was a team effort tonight.
• The Twins were 1-2 on ABS challenges and the Blue Jays were 2-2 with ABS challenges.
• The Blue Jays were 5-14 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 3 games and to notch their 2nd series win of the season. Eric Lauer starts against Twins righty Joe Ryan

Game #13 - Minnesota Twins (7-6) v. Toronto Blue Jays (5-7)

 

Game #12 Los Angeles Dodgers (9-2) v. Toronto Blue Jays (4-7)

Game #11 - LA Dodgers (9-2) @ Toronto Blue Jays (4-7) - game recap

 

Andres Gimenez drove in the Blue Jays only run in a 4-1 loss to the Dodgers

After a brutal blowout loss to the Dodgers after the bullpen imploded and the offense did next to nothing, the Blue Jays were looking to snap the 5-game skid and avoid their 3rd series loss of the season. Lefty Patrick Corbin was activated from A-ball and lefty Josh Fleming was DFA'd. Addison Barger was placed on the 10-day IL with an ankle sprain and infielder Tyler Fitzgerald was recalled from AAA-ball. Alejandro Kirk had a screw placed in his thumb and is expected to miss 6 weeks. Cody Ponce could be done for the year after ACL surgery next week. Kevin Gausman got the start with Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate. Jesus Sanchez was in LF and Nathan Lukes was in RF. Could the Blue Jays snap the 5-game skid and avoid their 3rd series loss of the season? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Dodgers opened the scoring in the top of the 3rd as Shohei Ohtani singled scoring Hyeseong Kim
• Two batters later,  Alex Freeland scored on a fielder's choice hit by Will Smith
• The Dodgers added a run in the top of the 5th as Freeland singled home Kim
• John Schneider was ejected in the top of the 5th for arguing a balk call against Kevin Gausman
• Kevin Gausman pitching line: 5.1IP 5H 3R (all earned) 2BB 5K 84 pitches (53 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 6th as George Springer doubled scoring Andres Gimenez
• Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitching line: 6IP 5H 1R (earned) 1BB 6K 97 pitches (66 for strikes)
• The Dodgers added a run in the top of the 9th as Kyle Tucker singled scoring Freeland
• Edwin Diaz pitched a scoreless 9th for his 4th save of the season
• Final score: Dodgers 4 Blue Jays 1

My Take:

• Kevin Gausman threw 5.1 solid innings, giving up 3 runs on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 5. Other than the 3rd and 5th innings, Gausman held the Dodgers to a leadoff walk in the 1st to Shohei Ohtani. Very nice to see John Schneider defend him on a brutal balk call that eventually allowed the 3rd Dodger run to score. Gausman should be getting some Cy Young votes and early consideration to make the all-star team.
• The bullpen gave up a run on 3 hits while walking 1 and striking out 2. Louis Varland was the only reliever to retire every batter he faced. You simply cannot give up an insurance run to this team, which has shown why they won back-to-back world series.
• The Blue Jays offense continues to sputter. They are just 1-17 with the bases loaded. Myles Straw is the only one hitting over .300 and there are three players hitting below the Mendoza line, or .200 average: George Springer (.159), Daulton Varsho (.171), Nathan Lukes (.118) and Brandon Valenzuela (.143)
• The Blue Jays were 3-12 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 6 game losing streak and avoid being swept for the 2nd consecutive series. Dylan Cease starts against Dodgers righty Shohei Ohtani.

Game #11 Los Angeles Dodgers (8-2) v. Toronto Blue Jays (4-6)