What is the story about?
Blue Jays 6 Guardians 3
That was an interesting game in a lot of ways:
- José Soriano was not good, but when he left the game, the Guardians only had one run. He gave up 6 hits and 3 walks, and yet when he left after 4.2 innings, the Jays were up 5-1. There was some luck involved. Some good defense and some ‘getting the out when you needed the out’.
- Mason Fluharty came in with two on and two out in the fifth, with a lefty due up. The Guardians pinch-hit a right-hander, David Fry. Mason got to 1-2 strikes and then walked him. Next batter, Austin Hedges, singled home two (going on Soriano’s tab). Fluharty finally got the third out on a strikeout, but it was 5-3.
- Vlad and Soriano combined on two 3-1 putouts at first. Both times, great job by Soriano to get to the bag in.
- One of the hits against Soriano, I would have called an error. Pop fly to center; Brett Bateman made a nice run and slide, but had the ball come off his glove. It didn’t cost us, even with a double following it, because José got a groundout, pop-out, pop-out, and strikeout.
- We got our first run in the fourth. Vlad walked. Jesús Sánchez grounded one right at the shortstop, but Vlad got to second fast enough that they just went 6-3 on the putout. Then, Sean Keys singled him home.
- And four runs in the fifth. Both Ernie Clement and Brandon Valenzuela walked (both after winning a challenge; Brandon’s would have been a strikeout without the challenge). Brandon got another challenge right in the ninth, getting a strikeout on a challenge. Anyway, two on and Bateman beats out a bunt single, dropping it straight down, so it bounced high. Nathan Lukes doubled home two. And Vlad hit a sac fly, bringing in another. Sánchez singled home our fifth run (pop fly to center, that Steven Kwan just about caught). Keys reached on yet another Guardians error and Smith walked, but a Giménez strikeout and a Clement pop-out ended the inning.
- And one more in the ninth: With two outs, Smith walked, Giménez singled him to third (and then stole second). And Clement singled home, Smith. 6-3.
- We should have had another run in the eighth. With one out, Valenzuela walked. An out later, Lukes doubled. Valenzuela (with two outs) slowed at second for some reason (John said after the game that he forgot the number of outs. This is why there are base coaches). Perhaps he lost where the ball was, but with two outs, you gotta be going for third. At the very least, if you are unsure where the ball is, look for the third-base coach. He really should have scored on the play, but in the end we didn’t need it.
- Spencer Miles got the last out of the sixth (after Fluharty got two pop-outs). And pitched a quick seventh.
- Tyler Rogers pitched a quick eight (with a hit batter in there).
- Louis Varland got the ninth: Ground out, single, strikeout (with a Valenzuele challenge), a walk (bringing the tying run to the plate) and a strikeout. Save 32 for Varland. Miles gets the win (6-2 now). Rogers gets hold #30.
- There was a weird play: Guardians’ pop-up short of third base; Smith was playing towards short, couldn’t get there in time for the catch, but the ball had a lot of spin and bounced foul—one of those strange moments.
We had nine hits, but only one extra-base hit, Lukes’ double and six walks. Bateman had 3 hits, Lukes 2. Vlad was 0 for 3 with a walk and the sac fly. Smith was 0 for 2 with 3 walks. Valenzuela was 0 for 3, with 2 walks.
Jays of the Day: Bateman (0.11 WPA), Keys (0.11), Miles (0.10), Soriano (0.09) and Rogers (0.09).
Other Award: Giménez (-0.11).
That puts the Jays just half a game back of the Guardians. Tomorrow, the Jays are in KC
to play the Royals. 8:00 start time, Eastern. Jameson Taillon (6-2, 5.68) is expected to be the starter or maybe the bulk guy. Daniel Lynch IV (4-4, 3.06) for the Royals. I’d make fun. of the IV, but I’m the 5th (the Vth?) Tom Dakers of my line.
