After a two hour and 41 minutes rain/hail delay, game two of the three game series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Colorado Rockies finally saw its first pitch. Just like the weather, this game was particularly sloppy, as both starters struggled and wouldn’t go deep into game. Rockies starter Eddie Butler had command issues most of the night and through the first three innings he was lucky to only give up a run scoring single to Devon Travis. He would be lifted in the fourth inning, leaving two runners on and his team up 4-3. Butler’s final line was 3 1/3 innings, five runs (four earned).
The Jays would feast on the Rockies bullpen, scoring runs in every inning from the fourth to the ninth for a total of nine runs. Jays also took advantage of sloppy play by the Rockies, who committed four errors.
The Toronto starter, J.A. Happ, survived a 31-pitch first inning while only giving up one run on the RBI single by Carlos Gonzalez. However, he would give up a three-run home run in the third to Gonzalez and a run in the fourth. Happ’s final line was five innings pitched, nine hits, five runs, one walk and walk strikeouts. He would leave with the Jays leading 11-5.
In the bottom of the seventh, Jays up 12-5, the Rockies started to mount a comeback. After pitching a clean sixth, Joe Biagini started the seventh giving up an Arenado double followed by another Gonzalez RBI single. Two outs later and a runner on third, Biagini induced a ground ball to shortstop, but Encarnacion could not hold on to throw. This allowed the runner to score and extended the inning. This error gave life to the Rockies and they would score two more runs before reliever Jason Grilli struck out pinch hitter Tony Wolters to end the seventh. The Jays lead would be down to 12-9, but that is as close as the Rockies would get. Jays would add two more add on runs and win 14-9. Osuna got the final four outs of the game.
Top Play of the Game by WPA
In the top of the fourth, after having already scored two runs on a Tulowitzki home run and an RBI single by Ezequiel Carrera, the Jays had the bases loaded with one out. Josh Donaldson drove the ball over the head of Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez for a bases clearing triple. This gave the Blue Jays a 6-4 lead and increased their win expectancy by 23.6%.
Bottom Play of the Game by WPA
With two outs in the third, the Rockies loaded the bases after walking Edwin Encarnacion. Michael Saunders hammered the next pitch to the track in center field which Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon ran down in front of the wall. This reduced the Jays win expectancy by 8.1%.
ROCKIES PITCHERS NOT HELPING THEMSELVES
The Jays had a six run fourth inning thanks in part to a home run by Troy Tulowitzki and a bases clearing triple by Josh Donaldson. But errors by the pitchers, Eddie Butler and Yohan Flande, also helped extend the inning and contributed to the scoring. As a team the Colorado Rockies have made 49 errors, and 14 have been made by pitchers. That’s a ridiculous percentage. Pitching in Coors Field is challenging enough due to the high altitude conditions, but pitchers making errors really aren’t helping themselves.
DEVON TRAVIS HEATING UP
Devon Travis’ timing and comfort level at the plate continue to improve with each game back. Coming into tonight, over the last ten games, he has has been on fire (16/37, .432, 4 HR). Tonight Travis went three for five with two RBI and a run scored. His continued production at the top of the order is a welcome addition for the Blue Jays with Jose Bautista on the disabled list.
Up Next
The Jays will be looking to win the rubber match of this series later today. The final game of the series is an afternoon game affair, with first pitch at 3:40 p.m. EST. Toronto will send hard throwing right-hander Aaron Sanchez against Colorado rookie, making his fourth start, Tyler Anderson.
Lead Photo: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
I had no idea they got this game in last night, and was pleasantly surprised this morning when I saw they won.