Tigers 6 Blue Jays 5
That was a tough loss. We have had way too many of those. Thankfully, the Guardians lost too, so we’re still one game back.
José Soriano was amazing for six innings.
And we got two runs in the first.
But we should have scored more.
In the first inning, Brett Bateman singled. George Springer walked. Vladimir Guerrero ground out, a force at second, giving us runners on the corners. An Alejandro Kirk single scored one. A Troy Melton wild pitch scored another.
The second inning went single
(Andrés Giménez), strikeout (Josh Smith), 5-foot single (Ernie Clement), strikeout (Bateman), Walk (Springer) loading the bases. But Vlad ground out.
The third inning: Kirk walk, Nathan Lukes double. But Kazuma Okamoto ground out, and Giménez struck out. Smith walked to load the bases in the second inning, which ended the day for starter Troy Melton. Beau Brieske got Clement to ground out.
In the fourth, Vlad reached on a walk, but that was it for fun.
The fifth inning was out first three up, three down, but we did it again in the seventh (ending on a bunt single attempt; I never understand trying to bunt for a single with two outs).
But we got three runs in the seventh. Springer singles. Vlad hit a fly ball 375 feet but needed 390. Kirk singled. Lukes flew out. But Okamoto crushed a home run (107.3 mph). We were up 5-4.
Soriano had a no-hitter going through the sixth inning. But the seventh…..Three straight line-drive singles to start the inning, scoring a run. After a flyout, two doubles to make it 4-2. I’d have likely pulled him in between the two doubles. But it is tough when the guy has been lights out and then suddenly isn’t.
Paul Sewald got the last two outs of the inning, but we were suddenly losing 4-2.
But, as mentioned, we got three back in the bottom of the seventh.
Joe Mantiply came in for the eighth. We had used a few guys two games in a row and were going to use them three games. Mantiply gave up a single and got a flyout. Then gave up another single, and that was it for him. Louis Varland came in. Varland got a strikeout, but then gave up a pop fly along the left-field line. Only 66 mph and 201 feet. 10 feet further, Myles Straw catches it. After that, Varland got the last out, but the game was tied.
We went three up, three down in the eighth.
Varland back out for the ninth, started the inning with a walk. Next batter bunted, and Vlad made a nice play getting the lead runner. Unfortunately, Zach McKinstry reached and then stole second. Hao-Yu Lee, the Tigers’ next batter, ground one about halfway between first and second. Vlad ranged over, got the ball and made a long throw to Varland, who was coming over to cover the bag. It was a very good throw, but Varland seemed to glance over at the bag, just as the ball got there, and missed it. The runner scored from second.
It is the defensive play pitchers work on the most, but racing to first, trying to beat the batter there, looking for the throw and looking for the bag…well, I’d bet there are more errors on that play than any other.
In the bottom of the inning, Springer led off with a walk. Springer isn’t running at 100%, so they pinch-ran with Charles McAdoo. Vlad struck out looking on a third strike that was almost dead center. Was looking for something else, I guess. Then Kirk ground into a double play.
Should McAdoo have tried to steal? Well, with hindsight, of course. But I don’t know how he was feeling, or whether he thought he could get a jump. And you are against a catcher with a terrific arm.
Jays of the Day: Okamoto (0.48 WPA) and Springer (0.31).
Other Award: Vlad (-0.23, but some terrific defence that isn’t counted in there). I’m torn on the pitchers’ ones: Soriano (-0.33), Varland (-0.28) and Mantiply (-0.16). If Soriano came out after 6, he’d have been a JoD. Varland? If he had made that catch?
I was hoping for a series win. I’m still hoping for a series win. But it is a little harder now. But still a game back.
