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)

 

Game #106 Toronto Blue Jays (63-42) @ Detroit Tigers (60-46)

 

Game #105 Toronto Blue Jays (63-42) @ Detroit Tigers (60-46) - game recap

 

Bo Bichette hit a 2-run double in a 6-1 win over the Tigers

After another comeback win on the strength of 6 runs over the 4th and 5th innings, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 4 games and to notch their 19th series win and 12th season series win of the season. Will Wagner was placed on the restricted list (in Cooperstown watching his dad get inducted into the baseball hall of fame) and Alan Roden was recalled from AAA-ball. Kevin Gausman got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Davis Schneider was in LF and Myles Straw was in RF. Ernie Clement was at the hot corner and Leo Jimenez got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays make it 4 straight wins, 19 series wins and 12 season series wins? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• Alejandro Kirk left the game in the top of the 4th after enduring a foul tip off the mask in the bottom half of the 3rd.
• Kevin Gausman pitching line: 6IP 1H 0R 1BB 10K 96 pitches (62 for strikes)
• Tarik Skubal pitching line: 6IP 5H 0R 3BB 7K 96 pitches (67 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 8th as Bo Bichette singled scoring Joey Loperfido and  George Springer 
• The Blue jays added a pair of runs in the top of the 9th as Nathan Lukes belted a 2-run jack to right-center; also scoring Ernie Clement 
• Three batters later, Springer whacked a solo blast to the opposite field in right-center 
• A batter later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr smacked a solo blast to left-center 
• The Tigers got one back in the bottom half of the inning on a ground out hit by Riley Greene that scored Jake Rogers
• Final score: Blue Jays 6 Tigers 1

My Take:

• Kevin Gausman was excellent today, firing 6 shutout innings, giving up just one hit and a walk while striking out 10. He needed to be sharp today given the Blue Jays were facing the best pitcher in baseball. Even better was his ability to adjust midgame when his primary catcher, Alejandro Kirk was removed from the game after getting his bell rung by a foul ball off his mask. He retired 8 of the first 9 batters he faced and 7 of the final 8 on the day.
• The bullpen gave a run on one hit while walking none and striking out 3 over the last 3 innings. Brayden Fisher and Mason Fluharty both retired every batter they faced
• Bo Bichette (2-run double), Nathan Lukes (2-run HR), George Springer (solo HR) and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (solo HR) provided the offence today
• The Blue Jays were 1-9 with runners in scoring position
• The Blue Jays will certainly be buyers at the trade deadline next Friday. Their biggest need will be a pitcher or two for the bullpen and maybe a starter as well. Pretty tough to mess with the lineup given the way everyone is rolling. I can see Davis Schneider or maybe one of the outfielders being dangled should the Blue Jays need to sweeten the deal to outbid other teams. 
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 5 games and complete their 8th series sweep of the season. Max Scherzer starts against Tigers righty Jack Flaherty