TORONTO BLUE JAYS NOTES:
THE LATEST: The Blue Jays held the Padres off the board at Rogers Centre yesterday as they wrapped up the three-game series with a 4-0 win…Marked their 11th shutout of the season, tied with Milwaukee for the most in the Majors…Improved to 18-13 in series finales, having won each of their last four and seven of their last eight such contests…Are now 20-9 vs. NL clubs…The .690 win% in interleague action is the best in MLB (2nd: MIA – .667). Toronto has won nine of its last 12 games and has now gone 28-18 over its last 46 contests…Its .609 win% over that span (since May 26) is the highest in the AL (2nd: BAL – .565).
VLADIOS, BASEBALL: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. gave Toronto a 2-0 lead in the 7th inning yesterday with a line-drive homer into the visiting bullpen…The solo shot was his 15th longball of the season, the 4th of which has gone to right field. The 2023 Home Run Derby champ also walked twice for a 1-for-2 afternoon…Has gone 21-for-80 (.263) over his last 21 games, including five doubles, six homers, and 19 RBI for an .883 OPS…His 61 RBI are currently tied for 7th most in the AL…Has recorded an AL-leading 168 hard-hit balls (95+ MPH) this season (2nd: Bo Bichette – 153).
DOING IT ALL-EJANDRO: Alejandro Kirk crushed his 4th home run of the season yesterday, sending a two-run shot over the left-field wall in the 8th inning…Was his 1st homer since June 5 vs. HOU…Also singled in the 2nd and 4th frames before drawing a walk in the 6th, finishing 3-for-3 with two RBI on the day…Marked his 5th three-hit game of the season (last: June 13 at BAL) and his 3rd time reaching base safely at least four times in a game.
HOUNDING INNINGS: Chris Bassitt improved to 10-5 with the win yesterday… Tossed 6.0 shutout frames while giving up four hits and a walk with five strikeouts…Marked his 14th quality start of the year, tied for 2nd most in the AL behind George Kirby (15)…Was his 7th start of 6+ scoreless innings, the most in the Majors. The 34-year old is now tied for 3rd in the AL with 121.2 innings pitched…Over 10 starts at Rogers Centre this season, has gone 6-1 with a 2.24 ERA (16 ER/64.1 IP), 64 strikeouts, a 0.87 WHIP, and a .167 opponents average.
JUST GO WHIT IT: Whit Merrifield recorded singles in both the 2nd and 4th innings yesterday for his 25th multi-hit game of the season…Has multiple hits in seven of his last 12 contests while hitting .348 (16-for-46) with a double, four home runs, and 12 RBI (1.010 OPS). The three-time All-Star also stole his 20th base yesterday, tied for 8th most in the AL…Is also now batting .291, good for 8th among AL hitters…Has kept a .312 (58-for-186) batting average over his last 51 games, including eight doubles, five homers, and 26 RBI (.800 OPS).
LEADING THE WAY: George Springer started yesterday’s game off with a walk…Extended his on-base streak to nine games, going 12-for-40 (.300) with three doubles, a homer, and six RBI over that span…Over his last 31 contests, is batting .315 (40-for-127) with 19 runs scored, nine doubles, four home runs, and 16 RBI (.843 OPS). The right fielder has been on base to start the 1st inning 34 times this season, the most of any AL batter (2nd: Steven Kwan – 30).
WORKING OUT WEST: The Blue Jays are kicking off a six-game, six-day road trip to the left coast…Own a 27-23 road record this season for a .540 win%, 4th best in the AL…After these three games in Seattle, will head down to LA to face the Dodgers (55-40) for three more. Blue Jays hitters rank 3rd among AL clubs in road AVG
(.259), 4th in road OBP (.323), 6th in road SLG (.419), and 6th in road OPS (.742)…The pitching staff ranks 9th in the AL in road ERA (4.22), 11th in road WHIP (1.33), and 13th in road opponents’ AVG (.260).
JOINING THE LUP: Jordan Luplow drove in Toronto’s 1st run yesterday with a single in the 2nd inning…Marked his 1st hit and RBI as a Blue Jay…Also walked and singled to finish 2-for-3 for his 1st multi-hit game of the season.
STARTING SOMETHING: Toronto pitchers have now combined for 47 quality starts, 3rd most in the Majors…The starting rotation also ranks 3rd in MLB in strikeouts (549), 5th in innings pitched (530.2), 7th in ERA (3.92), and 12th in AVG (.244).
HITTING IT: Toronto batters have notched 867 hits this season, 3rd most in the AL…Are also currently 3rd in the AL in team AVG (.261), 4th in OBP (.329), 6th in SLG (.416), 6th in OPS (.745), and 7th in extra-base hits (291).
0 TO 100 REAL QUICK: John Schneider recorded his 100th win as Manager yesterday…Has matched Cito Gaston’s franchise best by reaching the 100-win mark in 171 games.
TRADING POST: Toronto has acquired LHP Génesis Cabrera from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for Minor League C Sammy Hernandez…Cabrera has appeared in 32 games for the Cardinals this season, posting a 5.06 ERA while striking out 38 batters across 32.0 innings
VS. THE MARINERS: All-Time: 219-203
2023: 2-1 Road: 101-105
Road: 0-0 T-Mobile Park: 31-49
The Blue Jays took two of three games from their expansion cousins when the teams last met, back at Rogers Centre in April…All three games were determined by just one or two runs…Were swept in a four-game series by the Mariners last July, the last time the clubs met at T-Mobile Park.
Matt Chapman went 6-for-11 (.545) with four doubles and three RBI across the three-game series vs. SEA in April…In 77 career meetings, has batted .212 (60- for-283) with 18 doubles, one triple, 11 home runs, and 28 RBI (.696 OPS).
Whit Merrifiled went 3-for-8 with a double when the teams met earlier this season…Holds a career .302 (48-for-159) batting average in 36 games against the M’s, including 12 doubles, a triple, six homers, and 14 RBI (.840 OPS).
George Springer leads all current Blue Jays with 110 career games played vs. Seattle…Has hit .259 (111- for-429) with 19 doubles, two triples, 24 home runs, and 63 RBI for an .830 OPS.
STARTING PITCHER – Yusei Kikuchi, LHP #16
TODAY’S GAME: Making his 20th start of the season and his 11th on the road…Gave up 2R/1ER over 4.2 innings his last time out, on 7/16 vs. ARI, allowing 2 hits and 3 walks with 4 strikeouts…Has pitched into the 5th inning in all 19 starts this year, the only Blue Jay starter to do so. Has made 32 career starts at T-Mobile Park as a member of the Mariners, going 5-14 with a 4.84 ERA (94 ER/174.2 IP) and 164 punchouts.
2023 HIGHLIGHTS:
Took a no-decision on 7/6 at CWS(2), giving up 4 runs over 5.0 innings (8H, 0BB, 4K). Took the loss on 7/1 vs. BOS, giving up 5 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks over 4.1 frames with 7 punchouts. Earned his 7th win of the season on 6/25 vs. OAK, tossing 7.0 frames of one-run ball with 2 hits, 2 walks, and 8 strikeouts…Marked his longest outing as a Blue Jay. Faced one batter over the minimum on 6/20 at MIA, tossing 6.0 shutout innings with 2 hits, no walks, and 6 strikeouts on 87 pitches (57 strikes)… Marked his 3rd scoreless start of the season. Took a no-decision on 6/15 at BAL, giving up a pair of runs over 4.2 frames (6H, 2BB, 7K)…Has allowed 2 runs in each of his last 4 games. Took a no-decision on 6/4 at NYM, giving up 2 runs over 5.0 innings with 4 hits, a walk, and 8 strikeouts…Induced a season-high 19 swing-and-misses. Improved to 6-2 on 5/30 vs. MIL, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits and a season-high 5 walks over 5.0 frames with 4 strikeouts…Punched out Joey Wiemer in the 4th inning for the 500th strikeout of his career…Became the 9th Japanese-born player to record 500 strikeouts and 500.0 innings pitched
in the Majors. Shouldered the loss on 5/24 at TB, giving up 5 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks over 5.0 frames with 5 strikeouts…The outing was his 100th career start, becoming the 11th Japanese-born player to reach the century mark. Earned his 3rd win of the year on 4/21 at NYY, tossing 6.0 frames of one-run ball with 4 hits, 2 walks, and 3 strikeouts…Has back-to-back starts of 6.0+ innings and 0-or-1 runs allowed for the first time since 6/18-25 of his 2021 All-Star campaign. Improved to 2-0 on 4/15 vs. TB, throwing 6.0 innings of one-run ball with 4 hits, a walk, and a season-high 9 strikeouts…Marked his most punchouts in a single game as a Blue Jay…Completed 6.0 frames for the 1st time since 6/30/22 vs. TB.
SEATTLE MARINERS NOTES:
TONIGHT’S TILT…the Mariners continue their 10-game homestand (3-4) tonight with the 1st of 3 games against the Toronto Blue Jays…Seattle is coming off a 3-game series against the Detroit Tigers (1-2) and a 4-game series against the Minnesota Twins (2-2)…tonight’s game will be televised live on ROOT SPORTS and broadcast live on Seattle Sports (710 AM).
ODDS AND ENDS…the Mariners defeated the Twins by a 5-0 score in yesterday’s series finale…Seattle is 10-6 over its last 16 games…the Mariners are 37-17 when scoring at least 4 runs and 11-31 when scoring 3-or-fewer…the Mariners are 27-24 at T-Mobile Park and 21-24 on the road this season…they are 16-18 in day games and 32-30 at night.
- Lid Lifters – The Mariners are 17-14 in series openers (8-8 at home) this season.
- W’s in July – Seattle is 41-23 (.641) in July games since 2021, including 10-6 so far this season.
- Series Record – The Mariners own a 13-16-2 series record (8-7-1 at home).
- Roster Moves – Prior to yesterday’s game, OF Cade Marlowe (#18) was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma…OF Jarred Kelenic was placed on the 10-day Injured List (left foot fracture).
THE FURIOUS FIVE…over the Mariners last 32 games (6/12-c), the starting rotation is 14-9 with a 2.93 ERA (61 ER, 187.1 IP) with 47 walks and 174 strikeouts…the 2.93 ERA starters ERA leads the Majors during that span, ranking ahead of San Diego (2.98) and Philadelphia (3.40)…during that span Luis Castillo is 2-3 with a 3.67 ERA (17 ER, 41.2 IP) with 13 walks and 41 strikeouts in 7 starts…George Kirby is 4-3 with a 2.80 ERA (14 ER, 45.0 IP) with 5 walks and 42 strikeouts in 7 starts…Logan Gilbert is 4-1 with a 2.29 ERA (10 ER, 39.1 IP) with 7 walks and 30 strikeouts in 6 starts…Bryan Woo is 1-1 with a 3.45 ERA (12 ER, 31.1 IP) with 10 walks and 36 strikeouts in 6 starts…Bryce Miller is 3-0 with a 2.45 ERA (7 ER, 25.2 IP) with 8 walks and 25 strikeouts in 5 starts.
GETTING US STARTED…J.P. Crawford went 2-for-5 in yesterday’s win…the Mariners shortstop leads the team with 3.0 Baseball-Reference Wins Above Replacement…over his last 31 games (6/10-c), Crawford is batting .305 (36×118) with 18 runs, 9 doubles, 5 home runs, 11 RBI and 22 walks, getting on base at a .411 clip, slugging .509 with a .920 OPS…to lead off games, J.P. has a .379 on-base percentage this year, reaching base in 22 of his 58 first inning plate appearances out of the leadoff spot.
GENO, SO HOT RIGHT NOW…Eugenio Suárez went 2-for-3 with a double and walk yesterday…the Mariners third baseman has reached base safely in 11 consecutive games (7/6-c), batting .294 (10×34) with 9 runs, 2 doubles, 5 home runs, 9 RBI and 8 walks, getting on base at a .455 clip, slugging .794 with a 1.249 OPS in that span…over his last 24 games (6/22-c), Geno is batting .291 (23×79) with 15 runs, 7 doubles, 7 homers, 19 RBI and 10 walks, getting on base at a .398 clip, slugging .646 with a 1.044 OPS.
TEO TECHNOLOGY…Teoscar Hernández went 2-for-4 in yesterday’s win, belting his team-leading 16th home run and also registering his team-leading 52nd RBI…the Mariners own a 13-2 record in games that Teo homers in this season.
TOMMY BARRELS…Tom Murphy has had an excellent season at the plate, batting .275 (28×102) with 12 runs, 9 doubles, 6 home runs, 11 RBI and 8 walks, getting on base at a .330 clip, slugging .539 with an .870 OPS…he has reached base safely in each of his last 8 starts (6/23-c)…over his last 26 games (25 starts) since April 27, Murphy is batting .342 (26×76) with 12 runs, 8 doubles, 6 homers, 11 RBI and 8 walks, getting on base at a .407 clip, slugging .684 with a 1.091 OPS…among Major League catchers since April 27, Murphy ranks 1st in batting average, OBP, slugging and OPS.
LEAVE YOUR BAT UNDER THE MATT…over his last 16 appearances (6/9-c), Matt Brash has a 0.60 ERA (1 ER, 15.0 IP) with 6 walks and 22 strikeouts, holding opponents to a .177 batting average (9×51)… during that stretch his 0.60 ERA ranks 2nd in the American League (min. 15 IP) to Félix Bautista-BAL (0.53, 1 ER/17.0 IP), who allowed his lone run in that span on June 24 vs. Seattle on a Mike Ford home run.
MIKE DROP…Mike Ford clubbed his 10th home run of the season yesterday and the 30th of his Major League career…in 37 games this season, he is batting .260 (27×104) with 18 runs, 5 doubles, 10 homers, 20 RBI and 7 walks, getting on base at a .316 clip, slugging .596 with a .912 OPS.
SIX IN THE MIX…the Mariners have 6 players with 10+ home runs this season: Teoscar Hernández (16 home runs), Eugenio Suárez (14), Julio Rodríguez (13), Cal Raleigh (12), Jarred Kelenic (11) and Mike Ford (10)…6 players with 10+ homers ranks tied for 5th-most in the Majors, trailing only Texas (8 players), Tampa Bay (8), Los Angeles-NL (7) and Atlanta (7)…J.P. Crawford (8 HR) and Ty France (7) are next-closest to 10+ home runs on the Mariners.
MLB DEBUTS…outfielder Cade Marlowe made his Major League debut yesterday, starting in left field and batting 8th…Marlowe is the 8th player to make his MLB debut with Seattle this season, joining INF José Caballero (4/15 vs. COL), RHP Bryce Miller (5/2 at OAK), RHP Juan Then (5/6 vs. HOU), RHP Bryan Woo (6/3 at TEX), RHP Ty Adcock (6/12 vs. MIA), RHP Isaiah Campbell (7/7 at HOU) and RHP Devin Sweet (7/19 vs. MIN)…RHP Prelander Berroa is also on the Mariners current active roster and is set to make his Major League debut when he first appears in a game.
MASTERS OF THE MOUND…Mariners pitchers George Kirby (W, 7.0 IP, 4 H, 10 SO), Matt Brash (HLD, 1.0 IP, 1 SO) and Paul Sewald (1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO) combined to shut out the Twins yesterday…it marked the 7th shutout victory of the season for Seattle…Kirby tied a career-high 10 strikeouts in the win. HBP: HISTORY BY PITCH…Seattle batters were hit by 3 pitches in the bottom of the 8th yesterday: Cal Raleigh, Ty France and José Caballero…it marked the first time in franchise history that Seattle recorded 3+ HBP in the same inning…overall this season, the Mariners offense ranks 2nd in HBP (61) behind the New York Mets (66).
AS YOU MAY KNOW…the Mariners have gotten stellar pitching performances out of their starters in each of the last 2 games…Luis Castillo struck out 11 on July 19 vs. Minnesota, while George Kirby struck out 10 yesterday, holding the Twins scoreless over 7.0 innings in a 5-0 win, but…DID YOU KNOW?…that Castillo and Kirby are the Mariners first duo to record 10+ strikeouts in back-to-back team games since Roenis Elías and Taijuan Walker on June 19-20, 2015?…it marks the 11th time in franchise history that starting pitchers recorded 10+ strikeouts in back-to-back team games, and…DID YOU ALSO KNOW?…that if Miller records 10+ strikeouts tonight, that it will be the first time in franchise history that Mariners starters struck out 10+ in 3 consecutive games?
MARINERS STARTER
RHP BRYCE MILLER
2023/Career MLB Breakdown:
W-L ERA G/GS IP H R ER BB SO HR
Overall 6-3 3.66 12/12 64.0 49 26 26 13 58 6
Home 5-1 2.84 7/7 38.0 26 12 12 7 35 4
Road 1-2 4.85 5/5 26.0 23 14 14 6 23 2
vs. TOR 0-0 0.00 0/0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0
LAST TIME OUT…W#6 on 7/16 vs. DET after tossing 5.0 scoreless innings and allowing 5 hits and 1 walk with 3 strikeouts.
IN MILLER’S HOUSE…is set to make his 8th home start of his career tonight…he currently holds a 2.84 ERA (12 ER, 38.0 IP) at home which is the 4th lowest ERA among a pitcher’s first 7 career home starts in franchise history…he ranks behind Félix Hernández (2.83).
OUCH…was placed on the 15-day Injured List on July 3 (retroactive to July 1) with a right middle finger blister…was reinstated prior to his last start.
MAKING MORE HISTORY…became the 1st pitcher since at least 1901 to go 6.0+ innings pitched and allow 2-or-fewer hits in at least 4 of his first 10 career appearances.
ROOKIE DOMINATION…allowed 65 runners to reach base safely through his first 12 career starts which is the 2nd fewest in a pitcher’s first 12 starts in franchise history (min. 40.0 IP)…he trails only Justin Dunn who allowed 65 baserunners through his first 12 career starts.
WATCH ME WHIP…his 0.969 WHIP ranks 1st in the Major Leagues among pitchers with at least 12 starts…he currently ranks ahead of Bailey Ober-MIN (0.0981).
KEEPING THE BATS QUIET…has only allowed 49 hits through his first 12 career starts which ranks 4th among all rookies (min. 50.0 IP).
ON THE LEADERBOARD…his 49 strikeouts through his first 10 career starts ranks tied 7th in franchise history with George Kirby…his 11 walks allowed rank as the 5th fewest in franchise history in a pitcher’s first 10 career starts.
FIRST 5 STARTS…became the 4th pitcher in franchise history to not allow a home run over his first 5 career starts, joining Michael Pineda, Jim Converse and Brian Snyder…his 4 earned runs allowed are tied for the fewest in a pitcher’s first 5 career starts in franchise history, joining James Paxton (4 ER, 31.1 IP) and Justin Dunn (4 ER, 9.2 IP).
