Game #25 Toronto Blue Jays (13-11) @ Kansas City Royals (14-10)

 

Game #24 - Toronto Blue Jays (13-11) @ Kansas City Royals (14-10) - game recap

 

Justin Turner scored a run and drove in a run in a losing effort as the Royals came from behind to edge the Blue Jays 3-2

After a solid win last night, thanks to clutch hits from Bo Bichette and Daulton Varsho and stellar pitching from Yusei Kikuchi, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to two games. Kevin Gausman got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday (Justin Turner served as DH). Kevin Kiermaier was in CF and Daulton Varsho was in LF. Davis Schneider was at 2B. Could the Blue Jays make it two straight wins? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blur Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 3rd as Justin Turner singled scoring George Springer
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 5th on a sac fly by Alejandro Kirk that scored Turner
• The Royals got one back in the bottom half of the inning on a missed catch error by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on a ball hit by Kyle Isbel that scored Michael Massey
• Two batters later, Bobby Witt Jr. doubled scoring Isbel and Maikel Garcis
• Michael Wacha pitching line: 4IP 8H 2R (both earned) 3BB 4K 96 pitches (55 for strikes)
• Kevin Gausman pitching line: 6.2IP 7H 3R (none earned) 1BB 2K 99 pitches (65 for strikes)
• James MacArthur got the last 6 outs for his 5th save of the season
• Final score: Royals 3 Blue Jays 2

My Take:

• Kevin Gausman battled through 6.2 innings, giving up 3 unearned runs on 7 hits while walking 1 and striking out 2. Vlad owes him an apology dinner after he missed a catch that should have ended the inning. Instead a run scored on the play and two batters later, the Royals had a one run lead. Gausman has been pitching better lately after a rough first few starts of the season
• The bullpen gave up a hit in the last 1.1 innings. Tim Mayza is also looking better his last few relief appearances
• Kevin Kiermaier left the game with left hip flexor discomfort. Given his injury history with the hip, expect the Blue Jays ro be cautious with him.
• Offensively, Justin Turner did the damage driving in a run and scoring another. Turner has been the Blue Jays best hitter by far.
• The Blue Jays were 2-10 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to retake the series lead. Yariel Rodriguez starts against Royals righty Alec Marsh

Game #24 Toronto Blue Jays (13-10) @ Kansas City Royals (13-10)

Game #23 - Toronto Blue Jays (13-10) @ Kansas City Royals (13-10) - game recap

 

Bo Bichette hit a 3-run triple in a 5-3 win over the Royals

After a tough loss yesterday thanks to subpar performances from relievers Trevor Richards and Nate Pearson, the Blue Jays were looking to start the week with a win as they continued the road trip in Kansas City. The Blue Jays win 6 of the 7 games in last year's season series, outscoring the Royals 33-20. Yusei Kikuchi got the start with Danny Jansen behind the plate. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. got the half day off as DH with Justin Turner at 1B. Kevin Kiermaier got the full day off with Daulton Varsho in CF and Davis Schneider in LF. IKF was at the hot corner and Cavan Biggio in 2B. Could the Blue Jays start the week with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Bo Bichette tripled scoring Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Cavan Biggio and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the top of the th as Daulton Varsho drilled a 2-run jack to right; also scoring Justin Turner
• The Royals got a pair back in the bottom half of the inning as Maikel Garcia hammered a 2-run bomb to left; also scoring Dairon Blanco
• Brady Singer pitching line: 6IP 5H 5R (all earned) 3BB 5K 107 pitches (65 for strikes)
• Yusei Kikuchi pitching line: 6IP 5H 2R (both earned) 0BB 4K 81 pitches (58 for strikes)
• The Royals got one back in the bottom of the 9th as Kyle Isbel annihilated a solo bomb off the right foul pole
• Jordan Romano got the last 3 outs for his 3rd save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 5 Royals 3

My Take:-run 

• Yusei Kikuchi was excellent again, giving up a pair of runs on 5 hits while walking none and striking out 4 over 6 innings.There has to be some concern about his health. For the second straight start, Kikuchi received a visit from trainer Jose Ministral. Kikuchi finished the inning, but did not start the 7th inning, even though he had thrown just 81 pitches. He cruised through the first 5 innings, giving up just one hit and needing just 48 pitches. By contrast, he threw 33 pitches in the 6th inning, and gave up 2 runs on 4 hits. Hopefully whatever is ailing him is minor, but the Blue Jays should make him skip a start if he is injured. The Blue Jays have enough pitchers dealing with injuries with 3 of their top prospects potentially heading for tommy john surgery
• All three relievers gave up a hit and struck out a batter in their inning of work. Jordan Romano's hit against left the ball park. It was very encouraging to see Erik Swanson have a relatively stress free inning
• Daulton Varsho and Bo Bichette were the offensive heroes tonight with both getting bases clearing hits. Bichette hit a triple in the 3rd inning for 3 runs, Varsho went yard for the 6th time in 10 games in the 6th inning.
• Every Blue Jays starter except Davis Schneider and George Springer reached base and all but Springer, Schneider and Justin Turner had a hit
• The Blue Jays were 1-8 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try for two straight wins. Kevin Gausman starts against Royals righty Michael Wacha

Game #23 Toronto Blue Jays (12-10) @ Kansas City Royals (13-9)