Last week was a tough one for Toronto, going 2-5 over two series, which included a 4 game sweep from divisional opponents. The week ended ok though by winning 2 of 3 in New York. The Jays tried to use that momentum when they faced Cleveland in a 3 game series, and then a mini 2 game set against Miami.
Here is where we’ll break it all down:
Game 1: Jays 11 – 2 Cleveland (7 innings)
Hyun Jin Ryu would get the start for Toronto, and was shaking early allowing a bases loaded single to Eddie Rosario to give the Indians a 2-0 lead. Ryu would settle down after that going 4 shutout innings before being relieved in the 6th. Eli Morgan was making his big league debut for Cleveland, and he had a tough outing. The Jays would tie the game at 2 in the 2nd inning with RBI’s from Santiago Espinal and Danny Jansen. Then in the 3rd Inning, Toronto would score 4 more runs that was capped off by a Joe Panik 2-run HR, ending Morgan’s night. In the top of the 5th, Jays would add to their lead from a 2 RBI double from Lourdes Gurriel Jr and an RBI single from Joe Panik making it 9-2. Toronto would add 2 more in the 6 before the umpires would call the game in the 7th due to bad weather.
Game 2: Jays 4 – 1 Cleveland (7 innings)
The first half of the double header had Aaron Civale going for the Indians and Ross Stripling for the Blue Jays. Civale came into this game 7-1, and he’s been having a great year so far. The scoring would open in the top of the 3rd, when the Indians had a chance for an inning ending double play, but Jake Bauers dropped the ball at first allowing Joe Panic to plate making it 1-0. Toronto would add to their lead in the 4th when both Teoscar Hernandez and Rowdy Tellez would both hit solo home runs. Back to Ross Stripling who was very good in this one, he went 5 innings, only allowing 2 hits, and his only mistake was to Josh Naylor who hit a solo HR in the 5th. Vladimir Guerrero Jr would add a sac fly in the 7th, and Jordan Romano would close it out in the bottom half for his 3rd save of the season.
Game 3: Jays 5 – 6 Cleveland (7 innings)
In the second half of the double header, the Blue Jays would get on the board first, when Teo Hernandez would hit a double with the bases loaded that would score all 3 runners to give the Jays a 3-0 lead. Randal Grichuk would then double in Hernandez to make it a 4-0 game. Steven Matz was on the hill for Toronto and he was cruising until the bottom of the 6th, where an error would allow Yu Chang to reach first, and he was immediately doubled in to score from Rene Rivera. Amed Rosario would single in Rivera making it 4-2, and ending Matz’s outing in the process. Tyler Chatwood would come in and give up an RBI single to Jose Ramirez, but got a huge double play on the next batter but a run did come in square the game at 4. The Jays would take the lead right back in the top half of the 7th, when Marcus Semien hit a single that scored Jonathan Davis to make it 5-4. It all fell apart after that for the Jays as Charlie Montoya left in Tyler Chatwood and he walked 4 batters in a row before finally being taking out with the game tied at 5. Anthony Castro would come in and he did get Jose Ramirez to fly out, problem was it was too deep and Brad Zimmer would score on the walk off, sacrifice fly.
Jays Series Standout:
The series standout here is going to be Teo Hernandez as he had a huge HR in game 2 and even though it wasn’t enough, had clutch bases clearing double in game 3.
Game 1: Jays 5 – 1 Miami
Robbie Ray was on the bump for Toronto and he had himself a great outing going 6 innings, while only allowing 1 run with 9 strike outs. The Jays got out in front early when Vladdy hit a 3-run shot to give the Jays a 3-0 lead. Toronto and Miami would each score in the 5th, making it 4-1. Lourdes Gurriel Jr would hit a solo shot in the 8th, and the Jays pen would do the rest to insure the win in game 1.
Game 2: Jays 6 – 5 Miami
Alek Manoah was on the hill for his second career game, and it didn’t go as well as his first start. Manoah would give up a solo HR to Corey Dickerson in the 2nd, and in the 3rd inning surrendered a 2-run shot to Jazz Chisholm Jr, and another solo shot, this one hit by Jesus Aguilar. Manoah would leave the game in the 4th inning with his club trailing 4-1. The Jays would start to claw back, Randal Grichuk hit 2 HRs, both solo home runs, one in the 2nd and one in the 4th. Both teams would score 1 run the 7th making it 5-3, and it would stay that way until the bottom of the 9th. Back to back hits from Reese McGuire and Marcus Semien had the Blue Jays in business, and Bo Bichette would tie the game next with a triple to right field. Joe Panik would walk it off for Toronto with a bases loaded sac fly, giving the Jays the mini sweep over Miami.
Jays Series Standout:
Vladdy Guerrero went 5/8 in the two games against Miami and had the huge 3-run home run in game one.
This was a great rebound week for Toronto, winning 4 of 5 games. They still have work to do, as they are still 5 games back of division leading TB Rays in the always crowded AL East.
Next up for the Blue jays are two 3 game series, first a home series against the Houston Astros, and then they head to Chicago to take on the White Sox.
You can catch every inning of Toronto Blue Jays baseball on Rogers Sportsnet, and check in here weekly at Hot Sauce Sports for the breakdown.
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