Game #40 - LA Angels (16-25) @ Toronto Blue Jays (18-22) - game recap

 

Kazuma Okamoto drove in the Blue Jays only run in a 6-1 comeback loss to the Angels

First off, happy mother's day to all the ladues that are on JITH. After a blowout win yesterday thanks to a huge 7-run 5th inning, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 3 games and complete their 2nd sweep of the season. Spencer Myles got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. Addison Barger was a late scratch with elbow soreness. Myles Straw was in LF and Jesus Sanchez was in RF. George Springer got the complete day off to rest his fractured tor. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Lenyn Sosa at 1B. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 3 games and complete their 2nd sweep oof the season? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Kazuma Okamoto doubled scoring Daulton Varsho
• Spencer Miles piching line: 3IP 2H 0R 0BB 2K 38 pitches (28 for strikes)
• The Angels took the lead in the top of the 5th as Oswald Peraza belted a 2-run jack to the second deck in left; also scoring Nolan Schaunel
• Five batters later, Vaughn Grissom doubled scoring Mike Trout and Zach Neto
• The Angels added a run in the top of the 6th as Jo Adell smashed a solo blast to the second deck to the opposite field in right
• Jose Soriano pitching line: 7.2IP 5H 1R (earned) 1BB 7K 103 pitches (69 for strikes)
• The Angels added a run in the top of the 9th as Adell hammered a solo bomb to the second deck in left-center
• Final score: Angels 6 Blue Jays 1

My Take:

• Spencer Miles fired 3 shutout innings, giving up 2 hits while walking none and striking out 2. The Blue Jays should and maybe are trying to stretch Spencer Miles out to be a starter. He did well today and certainly would make fans less nervous every 5th day.
• Then there's the enigma that is Eric Lauer. Three home runs allowed on the day, 4 runs allowed in his first inning of work, 2 runs on the board before recording an out and worst of all 6 balls on his first 7 pitches - including walking a left-handed batter. Lauer also retired eight in a row today, proving he has the ability to get outs at the big league level. Lauer's days could be numbered if the Blue Jays turn Spencer Miles into a starter.
• The offence was Kazuma Okamoto driving in a run in the 1st inning and then managing to load the bases on 3 hits, 2 that never left the infield. Not good enough 
• The Angels were 2-1 on ABS challenges and the Blue Jays were 0-1 on their lone ABS challenge
• The Blue Jays were 2-4 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays face the Rays team that swept them a week ago, outscoring the Blue Jays 12-4. Ace Kevin Gausman starts against Rays righty Drew Rasmussen

Game #40 - Los Angeles Angels (15-25) @ Toronto Blue Jays (18-21)

 

Game #39 - LA Angels (15-25) @ Toronto Blue Jays (18-21) - game recap

 

Brandon Valenzuela hit a 3-HR in a 14-1 rout over the Angels

After eking out a win thanks to a strong start from Dylan Cease, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 2 game and notch their 5th series win of the season and 1st season series win of the season. Addison Barger was activated off the 10-day IL (he got the start in RF) and Yohendrick Pinago was optioned to AAA-ball. Trey Yesavage got the start with Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate. Jesus Sanches was in LF. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 2 game and notch their 5th series win of the season and 1st season series win of the season? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 4th on a sac fly by Andres Gimenez that scored Jesus Sanchez
• Trey Yesavage pitching line: 4IP 4H 0R 2BB 6K 87 pitches (57 for strikes)\
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 5th as Kazuma Okamoto singled scoring Addison Barger
• A batter later, Sanchez singled scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• A batter after that, Okamoto scored on a throwing error by Angels pitcher Jack Kochanowicz on a ball hit by Daulton Varsho
• A batter later, Ernie Clement singled home Sanchez
• Two batters later, Brandon Valenzuela belted a 3-run jack to the second deck in left; also scoring Varsho and Clement
• Jack Kochanowicz pitching line: 4IP 9H 7R (6 earned) 2BB 0K 84 pitches (49 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 7th as Clement whacked a solo blast to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen
• Three batters later, Guerrero Jr. singled scoring Valenzuela
• The Angels got one back in the top of the 8th as Adam Frazier doubled scoring Bryce Teodosio
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom half of the inning as Sanchez hammered a solo bomb to the 3rd deck in right
• Four batters later, Valenzuela doubled scoring Varsho
• A batter later, Clement scored on a ground out hit by Tyler Heineman
• Two batters later, Davis Schneider singled home Valenzuela 
• Final score: Blue Jays 14 Angels 1

My Take:

• Trey Yesavage battled through 4 shutout innings, scattering 4 hits, walking 2 and striking out 6. He's been quite inefficient the last 2 starts. Certainly, he is learning how difficult it is to get these big league hitters out that won't chase as much as those in the minor leagues. Yesavage needs to learn to pitch to contact if he want to pitch longer in games. It'll be interesting to see who catches him next since reportedly he likes working with Tyler Heineman, who has been in manager John Schneider's dog house.
• The bullpen had mixed results today with Mason Fluharty, Brayden Fisher and Joe Mantiply combining for 2 strikeouts in three perfect innings. Tommy Nance and Tyler Rogers gave up three hits each and the Angels scored their only run off Rogers. Perhaps there is some overuse issues going on with Rogers, who was virtually unhittable in April. Fluharty was credited with the win.
• It was a team effort offensively with Brandon Valenzuela (3-run HR, 4RBI, 3 runs scored), Jesus Sanchez (2RBI, 3 runs scored, solo HR), Ernie Clement (2RBI, 3 runs scored, solo HR), and Daulton Varsho (2 runs scored) leading the charge
• Every Blue Jays starter reacher base at least once and all but Andres Gimenez and Addison Barger had a hit. Every Blue Jays starter except George Springer either scored a run or drove in a run
• Angels 2B Vaughn Grissom successfully overturned the only ABS challenge today
• The Blue Jays were 8-22 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 3 games and complete their 2nd sweep of the season. Eric Lauer starts against Angels righty Jose Soriano

Game #39 - Los Angeles Angels (15-24) @ Toronto Blue Jays (17-21)

 

Game #38 - Los Angeles Angels (15-23) @ Toronto Blue Jays (16-21)