Toronto Sports Today

Toronto Sports News Continuously Updated

Instant Reaction: Blue Jays blank the Brewers 3-0 for their fourth shutout of the season

by

Boy, was that ever a statement win.

On Tuesday evening, the Blue Jays defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 3-0 to bring their record to 33-34. They also avoided losing their first series since the series against the Tigers from May 23rd to May 26, at least for now.

The Blue Jays’ streak of not scoring in the first inning has now reached three games, but the team that has scored the most second inning runs was at it again, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the second thanks to George Springer.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Two innings later, Spencer Horwitz hit a single, his second hit of the game, driving in another run to give Toronto a 2-0 lead. More on him in the Things Worth Mentioning section.

The Jays scored an insurance run in the top of the ninth thanks to a Danny Jansen double, giving the team a 3-0 lead. They didn’t really need this run, as Yimi García was lights out, more on that in the next section.

Things Worth Mentioning…

Yimi García is him, as he inherited runners on first and second with two outs, before they moved to second and third with steals. It didn’t matter though, as he struck out the batter, before finishing the ninth with two strikeouts and a ground out.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Yusei Kikuchi had a ton of trouble on the bases in the first three innings, giving up three hits and four walks before six up, six down in his last two innings. He also finished with five strikeouts in his five innings. He generated a game-high 15 whiffs.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Nate Pearson had a great outing, striking out the side while allowing a hit, bringing his season ERA to 4.44. The tank engine was the only pitcher to hit 100 mph and he averaged 98.2 mph with the heater.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

It’s the classic Trevor Richards Experience™ as he gave up a walk, a hit, and generated two line outs in the bottom of the eighth. He was relieved by Yimi García, but let’s be real here, he would have gotten the strikeout to end the inning. His ERA dropped to 3.41 after his two thirds of an inning pitched.

Spencer Horwitz is showing exactly what has made him one of the most intriguing prospects in the farm system. He struck out in his first at bat, but followed that with an RBI single, another single, a deep fly out off a left-handed pitcher, and a walk.

Kevin Kiermaier left the game with a right knee bruise after fouling off a ball. It hasn’t been a great season for Kiermaier, as he’s slashing .200/.248/.317 with two homers in 133 plate appearances. Hopefully it’s not a long-term injury, as his defence is still valuable in a fourth-outfielder role.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

The Blue Jays had nine hits on the day. Bo Bichette and Spencer Horwitz each had two singles, Danny Jansen and Daulton Varsho each had a double, while Justin Turner, George Springer, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa all had a single.

Up next: The Blue Jays play the rubber match on Wednesday at 2:10, and will look to win their second straight series, as well as their fourth series in their last five (thanks to a split against Baltimore). Chris Bassitt will get the ball and be opposed by Tobias Myers, another rookie starter for the team.

As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.