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)

Game #22 - Toronto Blue Jays (12-10) @ San Diego Padres (12-12) - game recap

 

Davis Schneider hit a solo HR and drove in a second run in a losing effort as the Padres came from behind to double up the Blue Jays 6-3

-

After a solid win by the Blue Jays thanks to a three-run HR and key insurance run from the red-hot Daulton Varsho, as well as lights out pitching from ace Jose Berrios and closer Jordan Romano, the Blue Jays were going for their 3rd straight win and 1st series sweep of the season. Chris Bassitt got the start with Danny Jansen behind the plate. Ernie Clement was at the hot corner and Davis Schneider got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to three games and complete their first sweep of the season? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Padres opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Manny Machado singled scoring Jake Cronenworth. George Springer was charged with a fielding error on the play
• The Blue Jays tied it up in the top of the 2nd as Davis Schneider belted a solo jack to left-center
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 3rd as Ernie Clement hammered a solo bomb to the second deck in left
• The Padres tied it up in the bottom half of the inning as Xander Bogaerts whacked a solo blast to left-center
• The Padres took the lead in the bottom of the 6th on a bases loaded walk to Luis Campusano that forced in Jurickson Profar
• A batter later, Ha-Seong Kim scored on a catcher's interference call against Danny Jansen on a ball hit by Tyler Wade
• Chris Bassitt pitching line: 5.1 IP 6H 4R (3 earned) 3BB 4K 93 pitches (56 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 7th on a ground out hit by Schneider that scored Justin Turner
• Joe Musgrowe pitching line: 7IP 5H 3R 0BB 3K 99 pitches (67 for strikes)
• The Padres added a run in the bottom of the 8th on a bases loaded walk to Bogaerts that forced in Profar
• A batter later, Kim scored on a sac fly by Fernando Tatis Jr.
• Robert Suarez pitched a scoreless 9th for his 7th save of the season
• Final score: Padres 6 Blue Jays 3

My Take:

• Chris Bassitt battled through 5.1 innings, giving up 4 runs (3 earned,  and 2 after he left the ball game) on 6 hits while walking 3 and striking out 4. He got himself out of a bases loaded jam in the 1st inning by picking off Jurickson Profar at 2nd base. That started a streak of five straight outs that ended when Xander Bogaerts took him yard in the 3rd inning. Bassitt got fortunate to escape a second bases loaded jam in the 5th inning when Davis Schneider made a great leaping grab on a liner that had two runs written all over it. Unfortunately, Trevor Richards allowed both inherited runners to score. It seems like this then through the rotation will feature starters battling to pitch with less than their best stuff. 
• The bullpen was unable to do its job today.  It started with Trevor Richards allowing both inherited runners to score when he gave up two walks. To be fair,  he should have been out of the inning with just a one run deficit but Danny Jansen got a bit too close to the batter and was called for catcher interference. Nate Pearson was fortunate this one didn't turn into a blowout. After he walked in a run,  Pearson left a pitch right down the middle and Fernando Tatis Jr. just missed a grand slam. Instead, it went for a loud out and an easy sac fly. Pearson and Richards walked a  combined 6 batters over the last 2.2 innings. Both the threw over 30 pitches and likely won't be available for the series opener in Kansas City tomorrow
• Davis Schneider was the offensive hero today, driving in two, including himself on a solo HR. Ernie Clement gave the Blue Jays a brief lead in the 2nd inning with a no-doubter. After that home run, ten of the next twelve Blue Jays were retired and Musgrowe faced the minimum in that time span thanks to Bo Bichette getting caught stealing and Vlad hitting into an inning ending double play
• The Blue Jays were 0-2 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays continue 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 starts against Royals righty Brady Singer.

Game #22 Toronto Blue Jays (12-9) @ San Diego Padres (11-12)

 

Game #21 - Toronto Blue Jays (12-9) @ San Diego Padres (11-12) - game recap

 

Daulton Varsho hit a 3-run HR in the 1st innung and later scored an insurance run to lead the Blue Jays to a 5-2 win over the Pardres

After a solid win yesterday thanks to 4-run 2nd inning and a solid pitching performance from Yariel Rodriguez, the Blue Jays were going for two straight wins, their 3rd series win and 2nd season series win/. The Blue Jays traded Mitch White, who was DFA'd a few days ago, to the San Francisco Giants for cash consideration. White ends his Blue Jays career with a 1-6  record and a 7.26 ERA in 24 games (8 starts) over parts of three seasons. Nate Pearson was recalled with Chad Green headed to the 15-day IL with a right teres major strain. Ace Jose Berrios got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. George Springer was back in the lineup and in RF after a complete daty off yesterday. Cavan Biggio was at 2B. Could the Blue Jays make it two straight wins and notch their 3rd series win and 2nd season series win of the season? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Daulton Varsho drilled a 3- run bomb to right; also scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr.  and Bo Bichette
• Padres LF Jurickson Profar and Padres manager Mike Shildt were both ejected at the end of the 1st inning after Rofar was tossed for an angry outburst where he threw his bat to the ground after being rung up on a borderline strike.  
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 2nd on a wild pitch by Randy Vasquez that scored Kevin Kiermaier
• Randy Vasquez pitching line: 5IP 5H 4R (1 earned) 1BB 3K 97 pitches (59 for strikes)
• Jose Berrios pitching line: 6IP 5H 0R 2BB 6K 91 pitches (63 for strikes)
• The Padres got one back in the bottom of the 7th on a ground out hit by Xander Bogaerts that scored Luis Campusano
• The Padres got one back in the bottom of the 8th as Ha-Seong Kim singled scoring Jose Azocar
• The Bue Jays added a run in the top of the 9th as Ernie Clement singled scoring Varsho
• Jordan Romano threw a perfect 9th for his 2nd save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 5 Padres 2

My Take:

• Jose Berrios not at his best is still the best pitcher in the game bar none. He threw 6 shutout innings tonight, giving up 5 hits and walking 2 while striking out 6. He got out off three separate jams with multiple base runners on, including the 5th inning when the Padres had the bases loaded with 2 outs. Berrios retired seven in a row at one point. He's been the team's best pitcher by far. 
• The bullpen had some mixed results. Genesis Cabrera was only able to retire one of the three batters he faced and ceded a run.Yimi Garcia and Jordan Romano were both excellent, retiring every batter they faced. Erik Swanson got into a jam and had a run scored on him on 3 hits. Swanson and Romano are both fresh off the IL and Romano looks like he is getting back in form, while Swanson is trying to work through some things.
• Daulton Varsho remains red hot. He gave the Blue Jays an early lead in the 1st inning, going yard to right for three runs. He later scored to add a key insurance run. Here's hoping he's not this season's Matt Chapman (the ex-Blue Jays third baseman is notorious for hitting well in April, not not so much in the other months of  the season) Vlad was the only other Blue Jay with multiple hits tonight
• The Blue Jays were 2-10 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 3 games and complete their 1st sweep of the season. Chris Bassitt starts against Padres righty Joe Musgrove