Game #91 Toronto Blue Jays (53-38) @ Chicago White Sox (30-61) - game recap

Joey Loperfido drove in 3 runs, including a solo HR, in an 8-4 come-from-behind win over the White Sox

 

After completing the sweep on the strength of 2 runs scored, including a home run and a nice 107 pitch effort from Kevin Gausman, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 9 games as they hit the road in the final week before the all-star break starting in Chicago tonight against the Southsiders (White Sox). The White Sox took the series in Toronto, outscoring the Blue Jays 22-20. Ace Jose Berrios got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Joey Loperfido was in LF, Nathan Lukes was in CF and Addison Barger was in RF. Will Wagner was at the hot corner and Ernie Clement got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 9 games? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The white Sox opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Brooks Baldwin singled scoring Kyle Teel
• The Blue Jays tied it up in the top of the 4th as Bo Bichette singled scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr 
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 5th as Joey Loperfido whacked a solo blast to right-center 
• A batter later, Nathan Lukes belted a solo jack to right
• The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the top of the 6th as Addison Barger hammered a 2-run bomb to right; also scoring Bichette
• Four batters later, Loperfido singled scoring Alejandro Kirk and Myles Straw
• A batter later, Ernie Clement scored on a sac bunt by Lukes
• Sean Burke pitching line: 5IP 6H 6R (all earned) 3BB 2K 85 pitches (50 for strikes)
• Jose Berrios pitching line: 6IP 2H 1R (earned) 2BB 4K 76 pitches (48 for strikes)
• The White Sox got a pair back in the bottom of the 7th as Mike Tauchman singled scoring Colson Montgomery and Josh Rojas
• The White Sox got one back in the bottom of the 8th as Lenyn Sosa singled scoring Miguel Vargas
• Final score: Blue Jays 8 White Sox 4

My Take:

• Jose Berrios gave up a run on 2 hits while walking 2 and striking out 4. The Blue Jays definitelt should have let him go one more inning with the bullpen running on fumes. Berrios really didn't have any hard innings, except the 2nd inning. Berrios retired 8 in a row at one point, the first 4 batters he faced and the last 4 batters he faced/
• The bullpwn gave up 3 runs (all charged to Robinson Pina, on 6 hits while walking 1 and striking out 2 over the last 3 innings. Nick Sandlin retired every batter he faced/
• Offensively, Joey Loperfield (3RBI, including a solo HR) Nathan Lukes (2 RBI, including a solo HR), Bo Bichette (run scored, RBI) and  Addison Barger (2 RBI, including a solo HR) led the way
• Every starter except George Springer and Will Wagner reached base and all but Springer, Wagner and Vlad had a hit
• The Blue Jays were 4-6 with runners in scoring posirion
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 10 games and notch their 16th series win of the season. Chris Bassitt starts against White Sox righty Aaron Civalde

Game #91 Toronto Blue Jays (52-38) @ Chicago White Sox (30-60)

 

Game #90 LA Angels (43-46) @ Toronto Blue Jays (52-38) - game recap

Bo Bichette scored twice, including a mammoth game-tying home run in a 3-2 come-from behind win over the Angels

After a second straight extra innings walk-off win, the Blue Jays were going for thir 7th straight win, 7th series sweep and  9th season series win. Righty Ryan Burr was reinstated from the 60-day IL. Righty Lazaro Estrada was optioned to AAA-ball. Andres Gimenez was placed on the 10-day IL (retroactive to yesterday) with a left ankle sprain. Will Robertson was DFA'd. Finally, Joey Loperfido was recalled from AAA-ball and got the start in RF. Kevin Gausman got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday (George Springer DH'd today). Davis Schneider was in LF and Myles Straw was in CF. Leo Jimenez got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 7 games, complete their 7th series sweep and notch their 9th season series win? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Angels took the lead in the top of the 1st as Mike Trout whacke a solo blast to the opposite field in right
• The Blue Jayd tied it up in the bottom of the 4th as Bo Bichette hammered a solo bomb off the basin of the 3rd deck in left
• Four batters later, Joey Loperfido singled scoring Myles Straw
• The Angels tied it in the top of the 5th as Taylor Ward singled scoring Chad Stevens
• Kevin Gausman pitching line: 5.2IP 7H 2R (both earned) 3BB 9K 107 pitches (71 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays retook the lead in the bottom of the 6th as Davis Schneider singled scoring Bichette
• Ty Anderson pitching line 5IP 8H 3R (all earmed) 2BB 2K 91 pitches (55 for strikes)
• Jeff Hoffman threw a perfect 9th for his 22nd save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 3 Angels 2

My Take:

• Kevin Gausman battled through 5.2 innings, giving up a pair of runs on 7 hits while walking 3 and striking out 9. He retired 6 in a row at one point. Due to Max Scherzer's thumb limiting him and injuries plus pitchers not getting deep in games lately, Gausnan was stretched to a few pitches over the 100 pitch mark. Certainly the high strikeout count and the 3 walks drove up the pitch count. Good thing the Blue Jays have an off-day mid-week and the all-star break in a week to gove everyone a much needed break.
• The bullpen threw 3.1 shutout innings, giving up 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5. Jeff Hoffman retited every batter he faced.
• It was Bo Bichette's turn to drove the offense, with 2 runs scored, including a mammoth game-tying home run. Joey Loperfido, freshly recalled, also joined in the fun with an RBI single. Davis Schneider drove in the other Blue Jays run
• The Blue Jays were 2-5 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays hit the road starting in Chicago tomorrow night. They will be looking to extend the win streak to 9 games. The White Sox took the series in Toronto, outscoring the Blue Jays 22-20. Ace Jose Berrios starts against White Sox righty Jose Berrios

Game #90 Los Angeles Angels (43-45) v. Toronto Blue Jays (51-38)

 

Game #89 LA Angels (43-45) @ Toronto Blue Jays (51-38) - game recap

 

Addison Barger drove in a pair of runs, including the game-winner in a 4-3 walk-off, extra innings win over the Angels

After a walk-off win on a sac bunt and error, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 7 games and notch their 15th series win of the season. Yimi Garcia was placed on the 15-day IL after a mishap with the hot tub/ice bath that sprained his right ankle. Max Scherzer got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad was back in the lineup as DH after the complete day off yesterday. George Springer was in LF and Nathan Lukes was in CF. Davis Schneider was at 2B. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 6 games and notch their 15th series win of the season? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Angels opened the scoring in the top of the 1st on a bases loaded walk to Jo Adell that forced in Zach Neto
• The Blue Jays tied it in the bottom half of the inning of the inning as Addison Barger singled scoring Nathan Lukes
• The Angels retook the lead in the top of the 3rd on a sac fly by Adell that scored Neto
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom half of the inning as George Springer hammered a 2-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Lukes
• Max Scherzer pitching line: 4IP 5H 2R (both earned) 3BB 4K 72 pitches (46 for strikes)
• Jack Kochanowicz pitching line: 5.1IP 6H 3R (all earned) 2BB 1K 82 pitches (50 for strikes)
• The Angels tied it in the top of the 7th as Nolan Schaunel singled scoring Luis Renfigo\
• The Blue Jays walked it off in the bottom of the 11th as Barger singled scoring Myles Straw
• Final score: Blue Jays 4 Angels 3 (11 innings)

My Take:

• Max Scherzer battled through 4 innings, giving up a pair of runs on 5 hits while walking 3 and striking out 4. The first inning was rough for Scherzer as he hit the first batter he faced and walked in a run after loading the bases. Addison Barger made a huge throw to gun down Mike Trout at home to escape the jam. Scherzer retired 4 in a row, including striking out the side in the 2nd inning. The Blue Jays shoul definitely look at adding another starter at the trade deadline to save the bullpen and maybe give Scherzer an extra day between starts
• The bullpen gave up a run on 2 hits while walking 2 and striking out 5 over the last 7 innings. A day after ruining Eric Lauer's start, Nick Sandlin retired every batter he faced. Making his big league debut, Lazaro gave up the game-tying run, but ate up 4 innings and struck out 4 batters. Brayden Fisher was credited with the win.
• Offensively, Addison Barger drove in a pair, including the game-winning run and George Springer went deep for the other two runs on the day. Springer deserves to be a reserve in the all-star game and should be a finalist for comeback player of the year.
• The Blue Jays were 3-17 with runners in scoring position
• The Blue Jays have an outside shot at their 1st 100 win season if they keep playing this well
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 8 games and complete their 7th series sweep of the season. Kevin Gausman starter against Angels lefty Tyler Anderson