Marlins 8 Jays 1
I can’t think of a more fitting way for this Blue Jays season to end than losing big to a crappy Marlins team. At least they weren’t crushed as badly as yesterday. At least they kept it to a one-possession game today, after the two-possession game yesterday. Maybe they could stay within a field goal tomorrow.
We scored just one run today, a first-inning Nathan Luke home run. That was one of just four hits today. Vlad didn’t get his 200th hit and Alejandro Kirk didn’t continue his hitting streak. George Springer, Spencer Horwitz and Ernie Clement had the other three hits, all singles.
Yariel Rodríguez threw five innings, allowing four hits, three earned, and two walks with five strikeouts. His season ends with a 4.47 ERA, picking up his eighth loss (against just one win). But he looked pretty good on the mound today. He threw 86.2 innings in the majors this season, with 20.1 innings in with Buffalo, so he’s in a good spot to get 150-ish innings next year.
The parade of relievers:
- Brendon Little got just one out, giving up three hits, two earned with one strikeout.
- Erik Swanson pitched 1.2 innings, allowing just one hit, with two strikeouts.
- Genesis Cabrera threw one inning, allowing three hits, three earned, on a home run. He’s had a rough end to his season. Maybe he’s been overworked?
- Nick Robertson had a perfect ninth in his first (and likely last) time on the mound for the Jays.
Beyond that? Davis Schneider made a couple of nice plays at second base, but he saw his batting average drop to .193. A bit ago he got it back over .200. And Lukes made a very nice throw from left field to cut down a runner at the plate. Springer had his 16th steal of the season.
Tomorrow brings the end to this lovely season. The Jays are having a bullpen day (a fitting end). Ryan Yarbrough will likely get the bulk of the innings. Ryan Weathers (4-6, 3.81) starts for the Marlins. Let’s keep it within a field goal.
No Jays of the Day, but let’s give an honourable mention to Lukes for being the one Jay who seemed interested in being on the field.
Other Award: Cabrera (-.112), Clement (-.103) and Vlad (-.090) who Dan and Buck suggested should lead off tomorrow to give him his best chance to get hit number 200.