Game Notes :
Bryce Harper hit a solo home run over the left field wall in the first inning against Chase Anderson. Anderson had started the game with two strikeouts ( Andrew McCutchen and Rhys Hoskins ).
Roman Quinn led off the third inning by beating out an infield hit on a ground ball to shortstop. 💨 Quinn then stole second base and went to third when the catcher’s throw skipped into center field. He scored on a bloop single over a drawn in infield by Andrew McCutchen.
Toronto scored in the fourth inning against Spencer Howard as three singles loaded the bases and Santiago Espinal hit a one out sac fly to score Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Joe Girardi went to Blake Parker to get the final out of the inning.
Spencer Howard went 3 2/3 IP - 1 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K’s - 67 pitches - 42 strikes. He threw very well for the initial three innings, had good life and run in his fastball. The slider was sharper as was his changeup. Spencer didn’t throw many curveballs which I personally believe is a better pitch for him than the slider. Somewhat of a quick hook by the skipper today but that’s just my perspective.
Blake Parker got the first two outs of the fifth inning. Jose Alvarez came in for the final out and took a line shot to the groin area off the bat of Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Jose recovered in time to throw out Gurriel but writhed in pain on the ground afterwards. He couldn’t walk off the field and had to be assisted off the field in a cart.
The Blue Jays Cavan Biggio doubled with two outs in the sixth inning against Tommy Hunter to tie the game at two as he scored Billy McKinney ( singled ).
Toronto scored the game winning run in the bottom of the seventh against Deolis Guerra. Teoscar Hernandez singled and went to third on a single to center field by Vladimir Guerrero Jr that Roman Quinn bobbled allowing Hernandez to get to third. Lourdes Gurriel Jr singled over a drawn in infield to score Hernandez with the game winner.
Baseball Notes :
Blake Parker has been excellent since his promotion. With his scoreless inning today he’s now appeared in five games ( 6.1 IP ) and hasn’t given up an earned run.
Fun Facts :
Bryce Harper is the first Phillie to homer in a major league game in Buffalo since Jack Clements in the second game of a doubleheader on July 4, 1885.
Notes of Interest :
Sahlen Field in Buffalo was built in 1988 with the intent of bringing a Major League Baseball team to the city. It was considered a state of the art facility at the time. It’s been the home of the Buffalo Bisons Triple A team in the International League from it’s beginning. The Bisons were affiliated with the Pirates when the stadium was built, the Indians from 1995 to 2008, the Mets from 2009 to 2012 and the Blue Jays since 2013.
It’s been known for sub par lighting but with the major league Blue Jays playing there this season due to Covid-19 restrictions in Toronto extensive renovations were made including adding new light standards.
Record is now 9-11
