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

Game #105 Toronto Blue Jays (62-42) @ Detroit Tigers (60-45)

 

Game #104 Toronto Blue Jays (62-42) @ Detroit Tigers (60-45) - game recap

 

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

After routing the Tigers yesterday on the strength of 11 runs over 3 innings and 8 strong innings from Eric Lauer, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 3 games. Ace Jose Berrios got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday (George Springer served as DH tonight. Addison Barger was in RF and Will Wagner was at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 3 games? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Tigers opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Dillon Dingler doubled scoring Wenceel Perez
• The Blue jays tied it up in the top of the 4th as Addison Barger doubled scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• Two batters later, Barger scored on a throwing error by Tigers SS Javier Baez on a ball hit by Joey Loperfido 
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 5th as Guerrero Jr. doubled scoring Nathan Lukes 
• A batter later, Bo Bichette doubled scoring Guerrero Jr and George Springer
• Two batters later, Alejandro Kirk singled home Bichette
• Weider Montero pitching line: 4IP 9H 6R (5 earned) 0BB 3K 76 pitches (56 for strikes)
• The Tigers got one back in the bottom of the 6th as Spencer Torkelson belted a solo jack to left-center
• Jose Berrios pitching line: 6IP 5H 2R (both earned) 2BB 6K 85 pitches (64 for strikes)
• Final score: Blue Jays 6 Tigers 2

My Take:

• Jose Berrios pitched 6 solid innings, giving up a pair of runs on 6 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6. While Berrios was working his way in and out of jams most of the night, he did have an out streak of 7 batters. Berrios will definitely be in the playoff rotation, 
• The bullpen threw 3 perfect innings, striking out 3. Hat tip to Addison Barger for a nice sliding catch
• Vlad (2 runs scored, RBI), Bo Bichette (run scored, 2 RBI) and Addison Barger (run scored, RBI) provided the offense today
• The Blue Jays were 4-15 with runners in scoring position
• This team continues to find ways to win. Tonight was their 33rd comeback win of the season. The 1992 team had 40 comeback wins, the following year the Blue Jays had 44 comeback wins. 
• Who had the Blue Jays with the best record in baseball at any point in the season? This team continues to get hits at opportune times, the starting pitching has been excellent as of late and every plsyer on the team wants in on the success. 
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 4 games, notch their 19th series win and 12 season series win of the season. Kevin Gausman starts against Tigers lefty Tarik Skubal

Game #104 Toronto Blue Jays (61-42) @ Detroit Tigers (60-44)

 

Game #103 Toronto Blue Jays (61-42) @ Detroit Tigers (60-44) - game recap

 

Eric Lauer threw 8 strong innings in an 11-4 comeback win over the Tigers

After a huge win over the Yankees thanks to a 2-RBI, 2 runs scored effort from Vlad and 7.1 strong innings from Chris Bassitt,  the Blue Jays were looking to make it two straight wins as they began a road trip in Detroit tonight.  The Tigers took the series in Toronto back in mid-May,  outscoring the Blue Jays 9-8. Eric Lauer got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Will Wagner at 1B. Joey Loperfido was in LF, Nathan Lukes was in CF and George Springer was in RF. Addison Barger was at the hot corner and Ernie Clement got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 2 games? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Tigers opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Jahmai Jones whacked a solo blast to left-center
• The Blue Jays tied it up in the top of the 6th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled scoring George Springer
• Three batters later, Ernie Clement drilled a 3-run bomb to left-center; also scoring Guerrero Jr. and Addison Barger
• A batter later, Joey Loperfido smacked a solo blast to right-center
• Reese Olson pitching line: 5.2IP 6H 5R (all earned) 2BB 4K 95 pitches (57 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 7th as Guerrero Jr. singled scoring Nathan Lukes
• Two batters later, Barger tripled scoring Guerrero Jr, and Bo Bichette
• A batter later, Barger scored on a sac fly by Clement
• The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the top of the 8th as Lukes hammered a 2-run bomb to right; also scoring Will WaThegner
• Eric Lauer pitching line: 8IP 5H 1R (earned) 0BB 6K 97 pitches (71 for strikes)
• The Tigers got one back in the bottom of the 9th as Spencer Torkelson drilled a solo blast to left
• Three batters later, Riley Greene scored on a ground out hit by Wenceel Perez
• Two batters later, Colt Keith singled scoring Matt Vierling
• Final score: Blue Jays 11 Tigers 4

My Take:

• Eric Lauer was excellent again, giving up a run on 5 hits while walking none and striking out 6. He retired 11 in a row at one point. Lauer is making a strong case to use a 6-man rotation the rest of the way and to be a starter in the playoffs. At this point, I would give him the ball in game 1 of a playoff series.
• Chad Green on the other hand is pitching his way off the team and could be a roster move (DFA) when the acquired players join the team. Green was roughed up for 3 runs on 4 hits in the 9th inning. The Blue Jays almost had to use a second reliever to end the game.
• Offensively, Vlad (2 runs scored, 2RBI), Nathan Lukes (2 runs scored, 2RBI), Addison Barger (2 runs scored, 2RBI), and Ernie Clement (4RBI, including a 3-run HR) carried the team to victory 
• Every Blue Jays starter had a hit and all but Tyler Heineman either scored a run or drove in a run
• The comeback kids did it again. The Blue Jays now have 32 comeback wins on the season, They will be a tough elimination in the playoffs
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 3 games. Ace Jose Berrios starts against Tigers righty Keider Montero