Angels 2 Blue Jays 3
Sometimes you can do just enough. The Jays have now won 8 in a row. Or, it is possible I’m having a very lovely dream.
Kevin Gausman didn’t look great. He gave up seven hits and three walks in 5.2 innings, but just the two runs, including a Mike Trout home run. He did have nine strikeouts, but he was battling all the way. He threw 94 pitches in five innings, and I thought he was done, but he got the first two outs of the sixth, before giving up a single, and that’s when John Schneider came to get him. 107 pitches, but just two earned runs.
He helped himself out with his glove in the fourth. The Angels started the inning with a single and a walk. Kevin got a strikeout and then an easy double play ball to short, but Bo Bichette dropped it (he made up for that with a homer to start the bottom half of the inning). Next batter taps one back to Gausman, who starts a 1-2-3 double play to end the inning.
Ryan Burr, making his first appearance of the season, gave up a single before getting out of the inning. He also pitched the seventh, giving up a walk, while getting three strikeouts—a very successful first outing. He got the win.
Brendon Little allowed a walk and a hit, but pitched a scoreless eighth.
Jeff Hoffman pitched the ninth. Addison Barger, at third, made a great grab on two line drives in the inning, surrounding a strikeout, for Hoffman’s 22nd save.
On offense, three runs on eight hits. We scored:’
- Two in the fourth: Bo started it with the homer to make up for the error. Then, with two outs, Myles Straw singled on a ground ball that went off the shortstop’s glove. Then Joey Loperfido pulled a single through the hole at first, to bring in Straw. Loperido got caught going to second when he figured the Angels were throwing through to the plate. But Straw was fast enough; they had no play, so cutting it off was the move.
- One in the sixth: Bo led off with a walk. Alejandro Krik and Davis each singled to bring him around. It could have been better, but Straw hit into a double play next.
We had eight hits, no one had more than one. Springer was the only starter not to get a hit.
The defense deserves some credit. Barger had the two outstanding plays in the ninth. Vlad made a nice throw on a 3-6 force at second. Clement had a nice play at second. And Straw had a couple of easy for him, harder for others, catches in center.
Jays of the Day: Hoffman (.160), Bo (.145, though he should lose some for the error), Kirk (.139), Burr (.130) and Little (.119).
Other Award: Springer (-.098, 0 for 4). Straw had a -.090 but he had those catches in center.
When Davis Schneider was being interviewed after the game, Vlad and Straw came out with the water bucket, but Davis ran, not wanting to get drenched. But Vlad just sat on the bucket and waited. Finally, Davis took it like a man.
I’m wondering if that has seen its time. It isn’t that much fun having ice water dumped on you.
Tomorrow, the Jays will be in Chicago to play the White Sox. Jose Berrios (4-3, 3.64) goes against Sean Burke (4-7, 4.03).