Blue Jays slip up late, still split set in Baltimore

After an absolutely ludicrous trade deadline that surprised even the most in-the-know baseball fans, it’s only fitting that the next series the Blue Jays played was the exact opposite. Though somewhat exciting in the way of offence, this weekend’s four-game series in Baltimore was more or less underwhelming in most respects.

Still, here’s a look at the good, the bad, and the weird from a long battle at Camden:

Bo Bichette (5-for-14, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 4 2B) had a great series in his first career trip to Baltimore, while Randal Grichuk (6-for-13, 2 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB), Brandon Drury (3-for-11, 2 R, HR, RBI, BB), and Freddy Galvis (5-for-12, 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, BB, 4 R) all were productive against the lowly O’s.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (10-for-17, 4 R, 3 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, BB) was exceptional, hitting everything in sight, while Teoscar Hernandez (4-for-13, 2 R, RBI, BB, 6 SO) and Reese McGuire (1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI) were helpful supporting members.

On the mound, relievers Wilmer Font (2.0 IP, H, 0 R/ER, 2 SO), Ken Giles (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, BB, SO), Justin Shafer (1.0 IP, H, BB, 0 H/ER), Derek Law (3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 2 SO, SV), and Tim Mayza (1.1 IP, H, 0 R/ER, BB) were all solid, while starter Sean Reid-Foley (4.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R, ER, 4 BB, 2 SO) was encouraging, despite struggling to keep the walks down.

Elsewhere on the roster, Trent Thornton (6.0 IP, 5 H, R/ER, 2 SO, W) had a great outing in his 22nd start of the season.

Relievers Buddy Boshers (2.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R/ER, BB, 4 SO, L), Yennsy Diaz (0.2 IP, H, 2 R/ER, 4 BB), and Sam Gaviglio (1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R/ER, HR, 2 SO) struggled mightily, with Diaz making his major-league debut on Sunday. Saturday’s starter, Thomas Pannone (6.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R/ER, BB, 9 SO), also wasn’t so hot, getting roughed up late in his outing despite a career-high strikeout count.

At the plate, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (2-for-11, 2 R, 2B, 2 BB, 6 SO) and Danny Jansen (3-for-13, HR, 3 RBI, 2 SO) were almost invisible, while Justin Smoak (0-for-13, RBI, 4 BB, 5 SO) was dreadful at the dish, decreasing his slash to .207/.353/.408 on the season.

Though Aaron Sanchez and Joe Biagini serving as key cogs in the Houston Astros’ combined no-hitter Saturday night might sting for some Blue Jays fans, perhaps even more comical (and, to some degree, “weird”) is Derek Fisher, the team’s newest outfielder, getting hit in the face with a fly ball Saturday night.

Though Fisher had to leave the game after botching the catch, the team confirmed that the “CT scans were negative for [a] facial fracture. [Fisher has been] diagnosed with [a] facial contusion”. (Source: Shi Davidi, Sportsnet)

The Blue Jays will now travel to Tampa’s Tropicana Field Monday to face off against the Rays in a three-game series that will feature Charlie Morton (12-3, 2.78 ERA, 165 SO) and Brendan McKay (2-1, 4.38 ERA, 25 SO) taking the mound against Jacob Waguespack (2-1, 4.80 ERA, 24 SO) and Trent Thornton (4-7, 5.23 ERA, 102 SO).

Tampa Bay has yet to announce a starter for Tuesday’s game, while the Blue Jays haven’t set a starter for Wednesday’s finale.