MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at Toronto Blue Jays

Recap: Dodgers 4, Blue Jays 2; The Bullpen Blows It. Again.

In the rubber match of a three game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Blue Jays sent Marco Estrada to the hill against Ross Stripling, who was making just his sixth career big league start. Estrada retired the first nine batters he faced in order, walking Chase Utley to start the 4th inning. Utley moved up to second and Josh Turner reached on an error by Troy Tulowitzki, but Estrada proceeded to strike out the side and get out of the trouble. Estrada’s change-up was devastating on Sunday, and he was locating his pitches masterfully. Estrada held the Dodgers hitless through five innings, before giving off a lead-off double in the 6th. The Jays took an early third inning lead when Kevin Pillar took advantage of Howie Kendrick’s inexperience at first base, coming in to score on a fielder’s choice by Ryan Goins. The Dodgers tied the game in the 7th on a solo homerun by Joc Pederson, but the Jays answered back in the 7th, when Kevin Pillar scored Justin Smoak on a single to right field. The bullpen, led by Drew Storen, just couldn’t hold down the fort, giving up 2 runs on inherited base runners in the 8th, and another run in the 9th.

Top Play of the Game by WPA

In the top of 8th, Corey Seager hit a ground rule double to right field that sent Chase Utley to third base from first with a WPA of .252. Both Utley and Seager would come around to score later on in the inning.

Bottom Play of the Game by WPA

The next batter was Justin Turner, who struck out looking, leaving Utlcey and Seager on base for one more batter at least. The play featured a  -.125 WPA.

Home Sweet Home

Kevin Pillar won’t be looking forward to leaving Rogers Centre for AT&T park this week, as he found his stroke on the home stand. He went 11/26 over the seven games, including a single in the 7th inning on Sunday that put the Blue Jays ahead. Seven of those eleven hits went for extra bases, and he even made one of his trademark Superman catches in the 9th inning of Saturday’s loss to the Dodgers.

Up Next

The Blue Jays head to the west coast for a three game series against the San Francisco Giants. The Blue Jays will send Aaron Sanchez to the hill tomorrow night at 10:15pm to face a struggling Jake Peavey in the opener against the Giants. Sanchez is 2-1 on the year with a 2.82 ERA, while Peavy is 1-3 with a 9.00 ERA.

Lead Photo: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports

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