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)

 

Game #37 - Toronto Blue Jays (16-21) @ Tampa Bay Rays (24-12) - game recap

 

After dropping yesterday's game due to Tyler Rogers blowing the save, the Blue Jays were looking to snap the 3 game skid and avoid getting swept for the 2nd time this season.  Patrick Corbin got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate.  Vlad was back in the lineup at 1b after the complete day off yesterday. Davis Schneider was in LF and Yohendrick Pinago was in RF. Ernie Clement was at SS and Lenyn Sosa got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays snap the 3-game skid and avoid being swept for the 2nd time this season?  Here is today's game recap. 

Game Highlights:

• The Rays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 4th as Jonny DeLuca doubled scoring Jonathan Aranda
• Two batters later, Chandler Simpson singled home DeLuca
• Shane McClanahan pitching line: 5.2IP 2H 0R 1BB 4K 69 pitches (47 for strikes)
• Patrick Corbin pitching line: 5.1IP 5H 2R (both earned) 2BB 1K 61 pitches (37 for strikes)
• The Rays added a run in the bottom of the 8th on a fielder's choice hit by  LeDuca that scored Cedric Mullins.  Ernie Clement was charged with a throwing error on the play 
• Ian Seymour threw a perfect 9th for his 1st save of the season
• Final score Rays 3 Blue Jays 0

My Take:

• Patrick Corbin fired 5.1 innings, giving up a pair of runs on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 1. Patrick Corbin continues to consistently give the Blue Jays a chance to win. He pitched his way out of s tough jam in the 1st inning and held the Rays off the scoreboard other than the 4th inning. Given the injury situation with Jose Berrios (who suffered a setback his last rehab start), Max Scherzer (who isn't bouncing back from the forearm strain the way he would like) and Shane Bieber, who might be back in June if no setbacks, Corbin should be in the rotation for a while with the struggling Eric Lauer likely to be the first pitcher to be replaced in the rotation once the injured bodies start coming back. 
• The bullpen gave up an unearned run on a hit and 3 walks while striking out 2 over the last 2.2 innings.  Mason Fluharty retired every batter he faced. 
• The feeble offense continues to putter along. They managed just 5 total baserunners today.  Myles Straw got half the hits (2) on the day. Davis c Schneider, a likely candidate to be optioned once Addison Barger comes back, remains ice cold. I think the team is really missing Don Mattingly.
• Ernie Clement successfully overturned the Blue Jays only ABS challenge and Rays catcher Nick Fortes was 2-1 on ABS challenges
• The Blue Jays were 0-4 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, after an off day tomorrow, the Blue Jays open a week long homestand as they take on the Angels.  The Blue jays took the series in LA/Anaheim, outscoring the Angels 12-11. Dylan Cease starts against Angels lefty Reid Detmers