Blue Jays Series Recap: A Battle in Oakland at the Colosseum, Astros up Next

Blue Jays Series Recap: Marcus Semien Returns to Oakland

The Blue Jays entered the colosseum to battle the Oakland Athletics kicking off a four-game series in Oakland. The Blue Jays had reliable left-handed pitcher Steven Matz on the mound for the first of four games, Matz entered the ball game with a 4-1 record and a 4.00 ERA. He was good to start the game, however, that changed in the second inning when Oakland tagged Steven Matz for three runs, including a two-run home run. The Blue Jays would answer back with a three-run inning of their own.

Steven Matz would settle in and pitch two more scoreless innings until the fifth inning when Matz gave up the second two-run home run of the game, giving Oakland a 5-3 lead heading to the sixth inning. Steven Matz was pulled and he was not happy about the decision to be removed from the game. The Blue Jays would cut the deficit in half in the eighth inning making it 5-4, but that"s as close as they would come to the comeback, dropping the first game of the series.

Game Two, Blue Jays Bats Sleep in Loss

The Toronto Blue Jays bats were nonexistent in game two of four against the Oakland A"s, mustering up only three hits and one run in nine innings. Toronto sent Anthony Kay to the mound to start the game, giving Anthony his second start of the 2021 MLB season. It was a tough outing for Anthony against Oakland, he surrendered four runs on four hits in four innings of work in game two.

The Blue Jays could not provide any support on the offensive side as they only mustered up one run in the sixth inning, Marcus Semien earned the RBI scoring Santiago Espinal. Cavan Biggio would account for the third Blue Jays hit and that was all they could manage. The Blue Jays dropped game two 4-1 and now looked to the final two games to salvage the season.

Game Three, Ray Pitches Well

The Toronto Blue Jays entered game three with right-handed pitcher Robbie Ray on the mound and in search of their first win of the series. Robbie Ray started the first with a two-run lead and would give up one in the bottom of the first, Robbie Ray gave up his first of two home runs surrendered to Oakland giving the Blue Jays a slim 2-1 lead after one inning. Robbie Ray would pitch two scoreless innings following the first taking the Blue Jays into the fourth inning with a one-run lead, he would surrender the game-tying second run for Oakland, the second home run given up by Robbie Ray and his only two bad pitches throughout six innings of work. Ray gave up three runs on six hits, including two solo home runs, he racked up a season-high nine strikeouts and walked no one, he left the game with the Blue Jays trailing 3-2.

The Blue Jays would rally in the eighth inning scoring five runs, the Blue Jays would rely on the bullpen to get them through the rest of the game, Jordan Romano would get credit for the win, making him 3-1 on the season. Toronto would tack on two more runs in the top half of the ninth inning, scoring nine runs on ten hits and the Blue Jays hold on for a big 9-4 victory with a chance to even the series in the finale. Toronto also scored all of their runs without hitting one home run during the third game of four, manufacturing all of their runs off base hits.

Hyun-Jin Ryu Returns

The Toronto Blue Jays entered the series finale against Oakland with a 15-14 record on the season and looking to add as they attempted to tie the series. A bright spot heading into the game as Blue Jays left-handed pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu returned to start on the mound, Ryu was removed from a game ten days ago and has been on the Injured List ever since.

Toronto"s bats would stay hot in the Blue Jays series finale against the Athletics, they scored 10 runs in just seven innings to take a commanding lead, thanks to a homecoming homerun by Marcus Semien. The Blue Jays secure the win in the series finale giving them a split series versus the Athletics and now gives Toronto a 16-14 record and head to Houston on a two-game winning streak.

Toronto Heads To Houston

The Blue Jays Series Preview as they are off to Houston for a three-game series with the Houston Astros, a time for reuniting the Gurriel brothers, Lourdes Gurriel Jr"s. brother is a member of the Houston Astros. It might not be the homecoming all would have expected for Blue Jays outfielder George Springer who was sent back to the injured list as he reaggravated his right quad injury.

The Blue Jays will send right-handed pitcher Ross Stripling to the mound for game one, he enters the ball game with an 0-1 record, a 6.39 ERA, and 14 strikeouts this season. The Blue Jays will look for a strong start from Ross Stripling which helps save the minimal arms for the Toronto Blue Jays on their road trip. The Houston Astros will counter with right-handed pitcher Jose Urquidy who enters the series opener with a 2-2 record, a 3.71 ERA, and 27 strikeouts. Game one is scheduled for Friday, May 6th, 2021. This Blue Jays series will for sure test the club against the Astros.

The second game of three in this series will see left-handed pitcher Steven Matz get the call on the mound, he enters with a 4-2 record, a 4.78 ERA, and 33 strikeouts following his last outing versus Oakland. The Astros are sending right-handed pitcher Cristian Javier to the mound with a perfect 3-0 record, including 30 strikeouts and an impressive 1.75 ERA.

The third and final game for the Blue Jays against the Houston Astros will see pitching by committee approach for the Blue Jays, likely to utilize multiple pitchers to give their short pitching rotation an extra day to rest. It is possible that Blue Jays top prospect Nate Pearson could return to the Blue Jays pitching rotation anytime, he was impressive in his start with the Blue Jays minor league affiliate in his return to game action. The Houston Astros will send Zach Greinke to the mound for the series finale, he enters with a 2-1 record, 31 strikeouts, and a 3.76 ERA this season. The following Blue Jays series will be interleague action against the Atlanta Braves.

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