Blue Jays strand bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth before the Twins win in extras

Things worth mentioning…

• Yusei Kikuchi got the start for the Blue Jays and the only mistake he made came in the fifth inning when Michael Taylor smashed a two-run bomb to give Minnesota a 2-0 lead. The lefty wound up going five innings and he allowed just those two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out four. Kikuchi threw only 82 pitches and appeared to be frustrated when he was told by John Schneider that he wouldn’t be coming out for the sixth inning.
• Nate Pearson came into the game after Kikuchi and tossed two scoreless frames. After that, Yimi Garcia pitched a clean eighth and Erik Swanson cruised through the ninth with two strikeouts.
• The Blue Jays had a great chance to walk things off in the bottom of the ninth. Santiago Espinal was hit to start the inning and George Springer came up and moved him over to third with a double. Alejandro Kirk grounded out, Bo Bichette struck out, Vladimir Guererro Jr. was intentionally walked, and Brandon Belt lined out to end the inning.
• The Twins would take the lead in the top of the tenth inning off of Adam Cimber and the Blue Jays weren’t able to do anything in the bottom half of the frame. It was a frustrating day offensively for the Blue Jays as went 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position and 12 guys were left on base.
• The one star of the game offensively for the Blue Jays was George Springer. Today was meant to be a scheduled off-day but Springer was called upon to pinch hit for Cavan Biggio in the sixth inning and he came up with a triple. He went 2-for-2 on the day with two extra-base hits.
• Bowden Francis will get the ball for the Blue Jays on Saturday afternoon against Minnesota’s Joe Ryan. It isn’t clear whether Francis will start the game or if he’ll come in following an opener. Trevor Richards didn’t pitch in Friday’s game, likely because the plan is for him to pitch multiple innings before or after Francis.

ARTICLE PRESENTED BY BETANO