So nice to be able to declare the M’s series victors prior to the actual series end!
Amazing the good things that can happen when pitchers are lights out and hitters are productive (and THEN some!) 🙂
ON THE MOUND
Kuma battled in this one to be sure, with runners on base in the first three innings but he ended up going SEVEN full, his longest since going EIGHT back in his second start and the most pitches (108) this season. Here’s hoping that his “Mister Blister” days are over . . .
Kuma was able to escape a bases-loaded one-out jam with TWO K’s in the 1st, got the benefit of the ump’s call on a DP in the 2nd and survived a couple of weak two-out singles in the 3rd. Then after the grand slam (see AT THE PLATE 😉 ) he slammed the door, retiring the next NINE Blue Jays (TEN in-a-row considering the last out of the 3rd). Kuma gave up the shutout in the 7th when the lead-off batter walked and scored on a double but, that would be it and his stellar work was done.
Kuma goes 7 to get win#3 | Nathan Denette, The Canadian Press
} Yoervis came in and retired the side in order for the 8th
} Ollie made things interesting in for the 9th allowing the first two batters to reach via a walk and a single. Then, a ground out moved ’em up but another ground out (that probably should have scored a run but didn’t) and a sharp line out to one of today’s heros ~ Dustin ~ ended it for the Jays and secured the series victory for the M’s.
AT THE PLATE
lots of 0 fer’s today but, when they hit, they made it COUNT . . .
~ Michael with TWO, count ’em 2 homers (including a lead-off blast, second such of his career, both this season)
~ Dustin’s first homer of the season was a BIGGY ~ GRAND SLAM (the first of his career!)
~ Rauuuuuuul with a turf triple – but we’ll take it, especially since Kelly turned it into an RBI
IN THE FIELD
* sun-ball pop-up to Dustin that loaded the bases but, no damage done (see ON THE MOUND 🙂 )
* nice 5-4-3 DP in the 2nd . . . well, sort of – Dustin’s throw was high and Kendrys “sold” his tag well enough 😉
tweets of the game . . .
Compass Rosy 