Victory Cruise Thrown for a Loup but uh-Oh Ultimately Averted

Blue Jays: 8, Rangers: 5

What seemed like a laugher early on took an ugly 2017-esque turn, but (double checks) it’s 2018 now so the team actually pulled off the win.

The Blue Jays threatened early, loading the bases with two outs in the first inning but couldn’t capitalize. They eventually broke through in the third, loading the bases once again and scoring three runs; two on a RBI single by Russell Martin and one on a Kendrys Morales sac fly.

The Blue Jays continued with their offensive breakout in the fourth, driving out starter Matt Moore from the game. Devon Travis doubled, Steve Pearce walked and a Josh Donaldson RBI single summoned old friend Jesse Chavez. Chavez gave Justin Smoak his 10th RBI of the season on a sac fly and walked Yangervis Solarte (his third walk of the game). Martin brought home the sixth run of the game with another RBI single.

Solarte and Martin added to the damage with back-to-back solo shots in the top of the 6th, seemingly putting the game on cruise control. Seemingly.

Marco Estrada was looking much like ACEstrada, inducing plenty of pop-ups and at one point retiring seven in a row. He didn’t allow a base runner past second until the solo home run by Shin-Soo Choo in the bottom of the 6th. Back-to-back singles by Elvis Andrus and Adrian Beltre, and a walk to Nomar Mazara loaded the bases, but Marco The Magician (TM) got Robinson Chirinos to fly out to end the ending.

The game took a nasty turn in the seventh. Aaron Loup took over and allowed two runs on a double to Rougned Odor, a RBI single to Drew Robinson and a RBI double to Shin-Soo Choo. Andrus and Beltre added another two for the Rangers off Seung Hwan Oh to bring the game within 3 runs.

Ryan Tepera pitched around a single to Odor, helped out by a 9-3 double play. Roberto Osuna allowed two singles, but he quickly covered first to help turn a double play of his own.

Jays of the Day: Estrada (.206), Martin (.233, 3-for-4 with a homer and 3 RBIs), Solarte (0.99, 1-for 2 with a homer and 3 walks) and Matt W for the title suggestion

Suckage: If it weren’t for the Jays 8 runs, Loup would have gotten one.

Tomorrow, the Blue Jays will go for their second series win of the season behind Marcus Stroman. Mike Minor will start for the Rangers. The game will be on at 8:05pm ET/5:05pm PT.

There were 1112 comments in the GameThread. erik.t led us to victory. Great job Erik.