The Toronto Blue Jays and Colorado Rockies played the final game of the series this afternoon. After a long, sloppy, rain delayed game the night before, both managers were hoping their starters could provide much needed innings to rest the tired bullpens.
Rockies rookie left-hander Tyler Anderson was able to hold the hot hitting Jays lineup to three runs (two earned) on eight hits over six innings. He only had two innings where he experienced difficulty. In the second inning after giving up an RBI opposite field double to Junior Lake, he was able to limit the damage and leave runners stranded on second and third. Also in third with two out he gave up a solo home run to Josh Donaldson and a running scoring single to Troy Tulowitzki.
The Jays were able to score two more runs off the struggling Colorado bullpen and they would be critical for this game. The Rockies have the worst bullpen ERA in the month of June for the majors, over 6.00.
Jays starter Aaron Sanchez, was exceptional once again and besides a fourth inning RBI single kept the Rockies off the board. Roberto Osuna came in to pitch the ninth and made it too close for comfort. He would allow two runs before striking out Christhian Adames and leaving the bases loaded. The Jays won the game 5-3, and the series.
Top Play of the Game by WPA
Roberto Osuna started the ninth inning with the Jays up 5-1 but proceed to walk the leadoff hitter Carlos Gonzalez and give up an RBI double to Mark Reynolds. The next batter, Daniel Descalso, hammered an 0-1 pitch to left to make the score 5-3 and increase the win expectancy of the Rockies by 18.2 %. However, Osuna was able to strike out three of the next four batters to preserve the win for Aaron Sanchez.
Bottom Play of the Game by WPA
In the bottom of the seventh, Jays leading 4-1, Rockies had loaded the bases with one out on a single and two walks. Aaron Sanchez was able to induce the ground ball off the bat of pinch hitter Ryan Raburn for the 4-6-3 double play and end the threat. This missed opportunity by the Rockies would reduce their win expectancy by 21.5%.
Have a Month Encarnacion
Encarnacion has had an excellent month of June at the plate (11 HR, .306, .444, .753) and has stepped up in the absence of Jose Bautista. On Wednesday he drove in his 30th run of the month of June and league leading 70th for the season. It was the fourth time a Blue Jay has 30 RBI in the month of June. Stay hot EE!
#BlueJays @Encadwin with his 30th RBI this month, just the 4th all-time in franchise history with 30+ RBI in month of June #FlyParrotFly
— Scott Carson (@caRSoN_Stats) June 29, 2016
Sanchez on Fire
Coors Field is one of the hardest ball parks to pitch in for fly ball pitchers, due to the higher altitude which causes the ball to fly further. Sanchez, because of his deadly sinker is an excellent ground ball pitcher and made him a perfect fit for Coors Field. He was able to get 14 of his 24 outs via ground balls, including two big double plays to put an end to potential big innings for the Rockies. Sanchez final line was eight innings, six hits, one run, two walks and three strike outs. Continuing to pitch like this will make the decision to keep him in the rotation really easy for the Blue Jays management.
Runners In Scoring Position
It has been well documented that the Blue Jays have struggled hitting with runners in scoring position for most of this season. Entering the series Toronto hitters had a .239 average hitting in these situations, but Colorado was just what the lineup needed going 15/40 when hitting with a man at second and/or third. This could have been due to the Jays enjoying the hitter friendly confines of Coors Field, taking advantage of the inferior Colorado pitching, or the offense starting to round into the form that helped them win the division last season. What ever the reason for success in this series it had to be a welcome sight for manager John Gibbons as they are about to enter a stretch against tough AL Central opponents.
Up Next
Toronto Blue Jays will return home to begin an 11 game home stand, opening with a four game series against the red hot Cleveland Indians starting tomorrow night. Jays will send knuckleballer RA Dickey (5-8, 4.23 ERA) against Cleveland hard throwing right-hander Carlos Carrasco (3-2, 2.73 ERA), who is coming off three quality starts. First pitch will happen at 7:07 p.m. EST.