Angels 6 Blue Jays 1
Well that was awful.
The Jays got a run in the first and then didn’t get another base runner until the eighth. They did load the bases in the eighth, but Vlad ground out softly to third to end the chance
We had five hits on the day. Daulton Varsho had two (just barely beating out an infield single for the second one). Ernie Clement, Kazuma Okamoto and Myles Straw had one each.
Vlad is looking lost at the plate. The sooner he figures it out the better. Jesus Sanchez struck out three
times. Lenyn Sosa twice.
Pitching?
Spencer Miles was terrific, throwing three innings, giving up two hits, getting two strikeouts without allowing a run. Tommy Nance had a quick fourth.
And then Eric Lauer came in. It was not good. Walk, homer, ground out, strike out, double, walk, double. Four runs in the inning. And that was pretty much the game.
He did end up throwing five innings, but allowed five hits, six earned, three homers, two walks and four strikeouts. As good as he was last year, he’s been awful this year. His velocity is down, but I don’t know if that’s enough to explain how bad he’s been. He’s got a 6.69 ERA now and there is no reason to expect it to get better.
I really have no idea what they are going to do. There isn’t anyone who’s ready to be slotted into the spot. Shane Bieber won’t be read for a month. Jose Berries is, well I don’t know, but there is inflammation and he’s not likely to be activated soon. Max Scherzer is finding that it takes longer to heal when you are the wrong side of 40.
Jay of the Day: Miles (0.16 WPA)
Other Award: Lauer (-0.49) and Vlad (-0.09).
Tomorrow the Rays come to town (and it is much better to see them in Toronto than at Tropicana). Drew Rasmussen (2-1, 2.95) vs. Kevin Gausman (2-1, 3.09).
