Marco Estrada has had a rough go of things lately, but boy was that not the case on Monday. Over seven innings, he struck out eight batters and gave up three walks. Marco had actually taken a no-hitter into the seventh inning, and looked like he might cruise through the rest of the game. Robinson Cano had different plans, forcing a single up the middle, and ending the no hitter. It was still the only hit that Estrada gave up on the night.
The game represented a departure from Estrada’s recent performances, in the best way possible. Over his last seven starts, he’s had an above average game score (50 or greater) just once. After his last start, we heard that he’d been pitching through a herniated disk, which would be a good explanation for the pitching woes. Either that herniated disk is now gone, or Marco’s gotten very effective at pitching through the pain. Either way, he’s given us no reason to worry about him much more down the stretch.
The Blue Jays’ bullpen on the other hand, had a few more issues. Marco Estrada walked Leonys Martin to start the eighth inning, and was promptly removed in favour of Jason Grilli. Grilli then proceeded to walk two of the next four batters, loading the bases for Robinson Cano. Roberto Osuna was the lucky man tasked with trying to take care of Seattle’s best hitter. After a long at-bat, Osuna eventually got Cano to fly out. Had Cano hit the ball five feet further, it would have been a grand slam.
Then, in the 9th, after getting two quick outs, Osuna ran in to some trouble of his own. A successive single from Adam Lind, and then home run from Leonys Martin turned what should have been a shutout in to a one run game. Fortunately, Osuna was able to clinch that final out, but I certainly would have appreciated a few less heart palpitations.
Top Play of the Game by WPA
Surprise, surprise, the top play of the game came via an Edwin Encarnacion home run. Edwin hit his homer in the third inning off of Taijuan Walker. Kevin Pillar came in to score, and the Blue Jays took a 2-0 lead. The home run had increased the Jays’ chances of winning by 21.9%.
Bottom Play of the Game by WPA
The bottom play of the game was the aforementioned Cano-Osuna battle in the bottom of the eight inning, with the bases loaded, and two outs. As mentioned, Osuna eventually got Robinson Cano to fly out to right field, but provided more of a scare than Jays fans would like. Cano’s flyout decreased the Mariners’ chances of winning by 9.4%.
Bye Bye Josh
In the top of the seventh inning, with Devon Travis on first base, Josh Donaldson wanted to make something happen. So much so, that, when called out on strikes out a low pitch, Donaldson gave the ump a piece of his mind.
Donaldson gets ejected after letting HP ump Chris Conroy have it about this call. #Bluejays #Jays https://t.co/ul83q9oB31
— Mike Wilner (@Wilnerness590) September 20, 2016
As you might imagine, Chris Conroy wasn’t particularly happy about that, and ejected Donaldson almost immediately. Fortunately, Josh’s hitting services didn’t end up being required the rest of the game. However, there will be situations where the Jays’ll need him. Josh has to keep his cool.
Up Next
Tomorrow, the Blue Jays’ have another late start. First pitch at Safeco Field is set for 10:10 PM EST. Each team has an unconventional, but successful starter set to pitch, as the Jays have J.A. Happ, and the Mariners have Hisashi Iwakuma. With the Orioles having lost to the Red Sox on Monday, the Jays are a little closer to the top wildcard spot. However, they’ll still have to take one of the last two games of this Mariners’ series to stay competitive.
Lead Photo: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports