The Toronto Blue Jays secured an 8-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday, preventing a three-game sweep. The game showcased impressive hits and defensive plays from both teams, with notable performances from key players.
Toronto's Vladimir Guerrero Jr. played a pivotal role, driving in the go-ahead run in the fourth inning with a well-placed single. The momentum continued into the fifth when Tyler Heineman’s RBI double was crucial, quickly followed by Myles Straw’s two-run single. This series of hits emphasized the Blue Jays' offensive capabilities, lifting their record to 79-58.
In the early innings, Nathan Lukes made an impact with a two-run double in the first, which set the tone for the Jays. Ernie Clement's subsequent single allowed Lukes to cross home plate, and George Springer's double in the second added another run to Toronto's tally.
Max Scherzer, who was on the mound for Toronto, encountered challenges throughout his four-inning appearance. He allowed four runs on nine hits while only managing to strike out one batter. The relief pitching staff, including Brendon Little, Tommy Nance (who earned the win), Louis Varland, Seranthony Dominguez, and Jeff Hoffman, were crucial in preserving the win for the Blue Jays, providing solid relief in the later innings.
On the other side, the Milwaukee Brewers, boasting a strong record of 85-53, received a strong start from William Contreras, who launched a home run in the first inning, scoring Jackson Chourio. Contreras continued to contribute offensively with a single that drove in Chourio again in the third inning, following Brice Turang's lead-off solo shot. Despite these efforts, the Brewers fell short as the game progressed.
Brandon Woodruff, taking the mound for Milwaukee, struggled during his outing, allowing eight runs (five earned) across 4 1/3 innings, giving up 10 hits and two walks while notching three strikeouts. After Woodruff's exit, Tobias Myers and Rob Zastryzny provided 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, yet the damage had already been done.
Takeaways
The Brewers' early offensive strategy succeeded against Scherzer, as they tied the game 4-4 with Contreras's RBI single in the third inning. However, once Scherzer departed, the Brewers' lineup struggled to keep the momentum, particularly from the sixth inning onward. This lack of support from the hitters proved costly.
Conversely, despite Scherzer's rocky performance, the Blue Jays capitalized on their opportunities, particularly with a four-hit rally in the fifth inning that gave them a significant cushion. The bullpen's performance was also noteworthy; after a shaky period since the All-Star break, the solid outings from Nance, Varland, and Dominguez were crucial for the Blue Jays to secure the win.
Key Moment
A critical juncture in the game came when Nance entered the game for Toronto in the fifth inning with the bases loaded and only one out. He managed to strike out Andrew Vaughn on just four pitches and then induced an Isaac Collins groundout, effectively escaping a dangerous situation that could have shifted the game's momentum.
Key Stat
Notably, Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette saw his impressive 14-game hit streak come to an end during this match. While he drew a walk, he did not manage to record a hit, going 0 for 4 at the plate in the game.
Upcoming Games
Looking ahead, the Blue Jays will travel to Cincinnati for their next outing. Chris Bassitt (11-7) is slated to take the mound for Toronto in a Labour Day matinee against the Cincinnati Reds, with Hunter Greene (5-4) scheduled to start for the Reds.
