Toronto Blue Jays Power Past New York Mets 10-3

The New York Mets were a victim of something they were utilizing recently so well. The long ball. The Toronto Blue Jays hit five home runs, three against Taijuan Walker. Nine of the Blue Jays’ runs came via the long ball. The Mets did string together 14 hits, but only three runs. In the end, the Mets dropped game two of the series 10-3, versus Toronto.

Game Summary

The Mets had a glorious opportunity in the bottom of the first inning to open the scoring. After a lead-off double via Brandon Nimmo and a Pete Alonso walk, James McCann singled to left field. Unfortunately, Nimmo was gunned down at home. The Blue Jays broke the ice in the third inning when George Springer led off the inning with a home run to left field. Teoscar Hernandez followed with a homer of his own, this time a two-run shot with two outs.

After the Mets left two men on in the bottom of the fourth, Mets’ pitcher Walker unraveled. Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. got on, then the resurgent Marcus Semien smashed a three-run home run to left field. This not only opened Toronto’s lead to 6-0 but also chased Walker. Taijuan’s final line was four innings pitched, six hits against, six earned runs, and three home runs allowed. He has now allowed 12 runs in his last two starts (4.1 innings pitched). 

The Mets did fight back in the bottom part of the fifth. Nimmo, Alonso, and McCann all singled. In doing so, the Mets pushed across three runs to shrink the Blue Jays lead to three. Thanks to this offense, the Mets chased Hyun Jin Ryu who only lasted 4.1 innings. He gave up 10 hits and three earned runs.

Yennsy Diaz relieved Miguel Castro (1.0 IP, H) and pitched a scoreless sixth inning. Drew Smith (2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 K) then came in the game for the seventh and gave up a 414-foot bomb to Bo Bichette. Anthony Banda pitched the top of the ninth and the Blue Jays pushed across three more runs to take a commanding 10-3 lead. Banda’s final line: 1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER. 

Trevor Richards was credited with the win, while the struggling Walker was on the losing side. Nimmo, Dominic Smith, and McCann had multiple hits. The Blue Jays did tax their bullpen once again which is a bright spot for the Mets going into game three. 

What’s Next?

The Mets and Blue Jays will end their three-game series with the rubber game tomorrow at 1:10 PM ET. Given the blowout Atlanta Braves victory over the Philadelphia Phillies last night, the Mets division lead stands at 4.0 games. The expected pitching matchup tomorrow: Rich Hill (first Mets start) versus Ross Stripling (5.04 ERA).