2022 Game Eight: Blue Jays 4, Athletics 1

 

Raimel Tapia was safe by more than this photograph
would suggest, but it was thrilling all the same

As delightful as it was to see Vladimir Guerrero Jr. whack one four-hundred-and-twenty-eight-feet to the opposite field (very!), the true pleasures of Friday night's game were more subtle, and came in fine performances from guys you have to spend much more of your time actively hoping for, if they are to have any hope at all: Raimel Tapia, Santiago Espinal, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (I still feel the need to hope for him), and especially recent-call-up Zack Collins, were essential. And let us not overlook Ross Stripling, who pitched four scoreless innings (two hits, no walks, three strikeouts) as a sixth-starter/swing-man/Ryu-pitches-better-with-an-extra-day-guy. That's a key rôle! After Trevor Richards pitched a solid fifth, Tim Mayza got little ruffled in just a third of an inning's work, but the Cimber/Garcia/Romano portion of the bullpen was once again tremendous (combined, they have given up a total of one run so far this season). That's five saves for Jordan Romano already! And four "holds" for Yimi Garcia, which is what he's being asked to do with games (to hold them). 

So overtaken have I been by this young season of Blue Jays baseball that I found myself listening to Baltimore radio as I got ready for bed just in case the Orioles might finish off the Yankees in the bottom of the eleventh. First of all, their were actual radio ads for crab cakes, which is amazing, and secondly, they did! Or perhaps the Yankees can be said to have finished themselves in, as Aroldis Chapman (honestly not a fan), who walked the bases full but got out of it against the Blue Jays, walked in the winning run Friday night. And so the Blue Jays sit alone atop the AL East with their 5-3 record, good for a .625 winning percentage, which would play out as a 101-win season over a full 162. The Blue Jays have arguably already won, but they will continue to play, mostly for the pleasant diversion of it. 

KS