Blue Jays blow early lead, lose 10-7 to the Indians

Sunday afternoon marked the 4th game of the set between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Cleveland Indians. The Blue Jays were looking to secure a much needed series win while sending out Drew Hutchison to the mound. The Indians hoping to split the series and countered with Trevor Bauer.

Drew started out the game fairly well setting down the first 3 batters he faced. That is always a nice way to start out a game.

Carlos Santana bunted to 3rd base for an infield single to start the 2nd inning. With the shift on it was an easy bunt for a base hit. David Murphy hit a single to left field putting runners on 1st and 2nd with only one out. Drew Hutchison got Lonnie Chisenhall to pop up and Carlos Santana had a base running error creating an inning ending 1-6 double play.

Trevor Bauer had retired the first 6 batter he faced. With how well he is pitching Michael Saunders showed some good patience to draw a lead off walk in the 3rd inning. Ryan Goins followed up that walk with one of his own. That started out a nice situation with two runners on and no outs. Ezequiel Carrera hit a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners. Devon Travis hit a ground ball to 1st base but Michael Saunders was thrown out at the plate trying to score. Trevor Bauer clearly has lost his control having a hard to trying to throw a strike. Josh Donaldson walked to load up the bases for Jose Bautista. Jose Bautista struck out stranding 3 base runners.

Jason Kipnis broke the shutout in the 3rd inning with a two out solo home run.

In the top of the 4th, Edwin Encarnacion bounced a ball off home plate to get an infield  single. Russell Martin popped up his bunt but the ball still dropped and Edwin was thrown out at 2nd base. Kevin Pillar was hit by an 0-1 fastball to put runners on 1st and 2nd base once again. Michael Saunders hit a single to left field which allowed Russell Martin to score from 2nd base. Kevin Pillar with some heads up base running advanced to 3rd base on the play. Ryan Goins hit a ground ball to 1st base for what should have been a double play. Carlos Santana decided to try and pick off Kevin Pillar at 3rd base but Pillar made it back safely. That play allowed the Blue Jays to load up the bases with only one out. Ezequiel Carrera bounced another ball off home plate and was able to get an infield single. Kevin Pillar scored on the play giving the Blue Jays the lead. Devon Travis hit a monster shot to get his first grand slam of his career. The Blue Jays opened up the flood gates giving them a healthy 6-1 lead. Jose Bautista continued the inning with 6th double of the season. In his 2nd at bat of the inning Edwin Encarnacion popped up to end the inning.

Michael Brantley hit a lead off double to start off the bottom of the 4th inning. Carlos Santana hit a single and advanced the runner to 3rd base. Brandon Moss hit a sacrifice fly to left field getting a much needed out. Ryan Goins made a nice play at 2nd base to turn a 6-3 double play to end the inning. The Indians did inch a little closer with the one run make it a 6-2 ball game.

Russell Martin lead off the top of the 5th inning with an infield single after Carlos Santana couldn`t reel in a wide throw from Lonnie Chisenhall. Michael Saunders picked up his 2nd single of the game and that chased Trevor Bauer from the game. The Indians brought in Marc Rzepczynski who quickly got out of the inning with a double play.

Lonnie Chisenhall lead off the 5th inning with a double to right field. Michael Bourn walked with only one out. Jason Kipnis got another hit with an RBI single. Jose Ramirez hit a double off the glove of a diving Ezequiel Carrera. Drew Hutchison once again could not make it out of  the 5th inning. Jeff Francis came in with two runners on base and only one out. Michael Brantley hit and single scoring both of the base runners. Michael Brantley advanced to 2nd base on the throw to the plate. Still with only one out the Indians have tied up the game at 6. Ryan Raburn hit a double to score 2 more runs and the Indians bat around in this inning. Miguel Castro came into the game to get the last out of the 5th.

Jason Kipnis and Jose Ramirez hit back to back one out singles in the bottom of the 6th. Miguel Castro balked then was forced to intentionally walk Michael Brantley. Carlo Santana drew a bases loaded walk for a free run. Brandon Moss hit his 2nd sacrifice fly of the day to cash in another run.

Ryan Goins hit a one out single in the top of the 8th. Ezequiel Carrera hit a comebacker to the pitcher Zach McAllister who kicked the ball away from any infielder. That put two runners on board with only one out. Neither Devon Travis or Josh Donaldson could generate any offense. Both of the runners ended up being stranded on base.

Jason Kipnis picked up his 4th hit of the day with a lead off double in the bottom of the 8th inning. Michael Brantley was issued a one out walk to put runners on 1st and 3rd. Carlos Santana walked on 4 straight pitches to load up the bases. Mitch Copeland got a ground ball to turn a 1-2-3 double play and get out of the inning.

Russell Martin hit a solo home run in the 9th inning but it wasn’t enough to bring the Jays back into it.

Game Notes:

• In 4 of his 5 starts this year Drew Hutchison is unable to get past the 5th inning. The Indians had 7 left handed batters in the game and Drew could not locate any inside pitch to any of them. Often times leaving the ball out over the middle of the plate. Once again his ERA goes above 7 with a 7.47 mark.
• Devon Travis hit his first grand slam of his young career. His bat continues to shine this season.
• Russell Martin hit his 5th home run of the season. It was another multi-hit game that raised his average to .227.
• The pitching again today was a struggle for the Blue Jays. They gave up a combined 13 hits for 10 runs.
• The bullpen was forced to take on more innings. They didn’t fair so well giving up 5 hits and 4 runs in 3.2 innings of work.

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