Blue Jays 1 Cubs 0
It is starting to feel like Bowden Francis is our Ace. In his last start, he went seven innings with just one hit, and today, he pitched seven innings with three hits, no walks, and seven strikeouts of shutout ball. He gave up just one extra-base hit, a double.
I thought the team would have to find someone to take his spot in the rotation next season. But I’d be happy if he could make 30 starts for us next year.
Ryan Burr and Genesis Cabrera shared a scoreless eighth, and Chad Green picked up his 13th save of the year.
On offense: We had eight hits but just one run on a Joey Loperfido home run. Loperfido had two hits and seems to be warming up. He also looked pretty good in center field.
With eight hits, you’d expect more than one run. But we had several guys going 0 for: Clement (0 for 5, 2 k), Vlad (0 for 3, walk), Barger (0 for 4, 3 k), and Schneider (0 for 3, walk, k). Games, where we go 0 for 7 with RISP, put us in last in the AL East this year.
We did have some good defense; Horwitz made an exceptional play at second. Vlad made a super play, going a long way to his right to get a play and making a perfect throw to the pitcher to get the out.
Clement made an error on a ground ball in the fifth inning. With two on and two out, a ground ball to short that should have been an easy play, right at Clement, who tried to underhand it to second but had it slip out of his hand. The bases were loaded, and two out looked like we could lose the game. But Francis got Dansby Swanson to strike out, and all was well.
Jays of the Day: Francis (.498 WPA) and lets give one to Loperfido (.072) for winning the game for us. Ryan Burr and Genesis Cabrera get an honourable mention.
The Other Award: Barger (-.109) and Clement (-.111).
Tomorrow, the Jays are hosting the Reds (I’m expecting Votto to be called up, but they haven’t mentioned it yet). Kevin Gausman starts (11-9, 4.20) but the Red have TBD listed.