Royals 2 Blue Jays 4
We got a very nice start from Max Scherzer. Six innings, five hits, one earned (a Sal Perez homer, Buck would be proud), no walks (again) and five strikeouts. Nothing much to complain about.
Brendon Little gave up a run, getting the first two outs of the seventh.
Seranthony Domínguez got the last out of the seventh and pitched the eighth, without giving up any base runners.
Jeff Hoffman picked up his 26th save, getting two strikeouts without giving up a base runner.
On offense, we
did enough.
We scored three in the third. Myles Straw led off with a bunt single, placing it perfectly. Tyler Heineman was hit by pitch. Then John had Joey Loperfido bunt. I wasn’t all for it, Loperfido is batting .373. Even against a lefty, I’d have him swing. But he put down a good bunt, and we had runners on second and third.
Davis Schneider singled, on the eighth pitch of his at bat, driving in both, and he made it to second on an error. The Royal challenged the call at second, but he was clearly safe. Bad use of their challenge. Late in the game, I’m ok with a challenge that doesn’t have any chance of going your way. Early in the game? It is just a waste. Anyway, after Vlad took a base on balls, Bo singled home Davis.
And we score one in the seventh. Ali Sanchez (into the game because Heineman took a foul off in the mask, dead on. We have had too many concussion injuries lately. Loperfido replaced him on a ground ball force at second. Nathan Lukes, pinch-hitting, walked (good at bat). And Ernie Clements singled home Loperfido. Unfortunately, Vlad hit into a double play to end the inning.
We had eight hits. Bo had three. O fors to Vlad (with a walk), Barger, and Loperfido (but had the bunt).
France went 1 for 4. His defense at first base seems solid. I like him there better than Clement. I think we’ll see him there against lefties.
Jays of the Day: Scherzer (.233 WPA), Schneider (.101) and Dominguez (.093). Give honourable mention to Bo and Hoffman.
No one gets the Other Award. Barger had the low mark at -.063.
We are four games up on the Yankees.
Tomorrow we have Chris Bassitt (11-5, 4.24) vs. Seth Lugo (8-5, 3.03).
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