Blue Jays 1 Royals 2 (5 innings)
When it rains and worsens as the game goes on, I always want my team to get the lead. When it comes down hard, batting gets more difficult (pitching, too, but that’s a separate issue). If you have seen a ball cutting through hard rain, you know it is weird to watch it hit raindrops and spin water off it. Add in having rain drips off your helmet, sometimes gets into your eyes, it is tough to make good contactmake g. Add in that your jersey is heavy, cold, and wet. Your muscles are cold, and your reflexes are slow.
The Royals got two runs in the first. Vinnie Pasquantino walked, and Salvador Perez lined one over the left field wall. It was hit hard, 109.4 mph, and far 404 feet. And it was 2-0 before the rain got hard.
The Jays got a run back in the fourth. Justin Turner hit a one-out double, Davis Schneider walked, and Ernie Clement singled home Turner. Unfortunately, popups from Daulton Varsho and Alejandro Kirk ended the inning.
José Berríos threw 5 innings, allowed 3 hits, 2 earned (on the home run), 3 walks and 1 strikeout.
The Jays also managed 3 hits in 5 innings, with 3 walks but 4 strikeouts.
Jay of the Day: Ernie Clement (.128 WPA).
Other Award: Alejandro Kirk (-.125 or an 0 for 2).
Tomorrow the Dodgers and former Blue Jay, in our minds, Shohei Ohtani, are in Toronto for a weekend series with the Jays (as well as some very nice craft beers.