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Photo Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Series Recap: Blue Jays Start Road Trip Right

| Richard Lee-Sam

The Blue Jays begin a stretch of eight road games in seven days. First up: the apparent wildcard contender Minnesota Twins!

What happened?

On Monday, the Blue Jays jumped out to a 6-1 lead and then the “oh shit” thoughts crept in as Aaron Sanchez gave up some loud contact. The five-run lead shrunk to one, but thankfully, the Jays added an insurance run in the ninth to win 7-5.

Marco Estrada got the start on Tuesday and continued to look shaky. He gave up two runs in the first inning and then another two when he came back out to start the sixth. The Blue Jays tied the game again later on and were gifted the win in the tenth inning, as the Twins just forgot how to play baseball. They scored three to win 7-4.

In the rubber match on Wednesday afternoon, Marcus Stroman pitched seven solid innings and allowed two runs. Unfortunately for him, he was still stuck with the loss as the Blue Jays couldn’t muster any offense, collecting just six hits – five of them singles – in a 4-0 loss.

 

Thoughts

  • It’s a great sign that both Stroman and Sanchez pitched into the sixth inning. Starting pitching has been a major weak spot so far this season, and even though Sanchez battled through his six, I’m just happy they didn’t have to get the bullpen up in like, the fourth. You know things aren’t going too well when you’re celebrating a starter completing six.
  • Kevin Pillar’s hot streak continues. The CF went 5-for-11 with three doubles and two walks over the course of the series and his hit streak has now reached seven games.
  • After the Cleveland doubleheader and the three-game set in Tampa, the Blue Jays go home to play 13 of 15. It’s too early to really stress about the standings, but we saw how many teams got between the Jays and that second wildcard spot last season. A good showing on this road trip and then going home will hopefully create some more (temporary) breathing room between the Blue Jays and the pretenders in the American League.

 

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