Game #135 - Kansas City Royals (60-75) @ Toronto Blue Jays (65-70) - game recap

 

George Springer hit a 2-run HR as the Blue Jays were pummeled 13-2 by the Royals

After a win thanks to a great bullpen day effort and a 3-run HR off the bat of Nathan Lukes, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 19th series win of the season. Michael Lorenzen was claimed off waivers from the Rockies. Jonatan Clase was transferred to the 60-day IL and Chad Dallas was optioned to AAA-ball. Spencer Arrighetti got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Daz Cameron was in LF and Myles Straw was in CF. Ernie Clement was at SS and Charles McAdoo got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays make it 2 straight wins and notch their 19th series win of the season? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Royals opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Carter Jensen hammered a solo bomb to the 3rd deck in right
• Four batters later, Bobby Witt Jr. scored on a fielder's choice hit by Salvaador Perez
• The Royals added a pair of runs in the top of the 2nd as Jac Caglianone singled scoring Witt Jr. and  Josh Rojas
• Spencer Arrighetti pitching line: 4IP 5H 4R (3 earned) 2BB 4K 79 pitches (49 for strikes)
• The Royals added a run in the top of the 6th as Kyle Isbel doubled scoring Rojas
• Two batters later, Witt Jr. doubled home Isbel
• A batter later, Caglianone singled scoring Witt Jr. and Jensen
• A batter after that, Vinnie Pasquantino whacked a solo blast to righ, also scoring Caglianone
• The Blue Jays got a pair back in the bottom half of the inning as George Springer hammered a 2-run bomb to desd center; also scoring  Alejandro Kirk 
• Noah Cameron pitching line: 6IP 6H 2R (both earned) 2BB 3K 81 pitches (55 for strikes)
• The Royals added a run in the top of the 8th as Pasquantino singled scoring Caglianone
• The Roysls added a pair of runs in the top of the 9th as Caglianone drilled a 2-run jack to the 2nd deck in right; also scoring Tyler Tolbert
• Final score: Royals 13 Blue Jays 2

My Take:

• Spencer Arrighetti batlled through 4 innings, giving up 4 runs (3 earned thanks to a fielding error committed by him) on 6 hits while walking 2 and striking out 4. The Blue Jays needed more out of him after another bullpen game yesterday. He's going to be a work in progress
• The rest of the bullpen gave up 9 runs on 11 hits while walking 4 and striking out 5 over the last five innings. None of the pitchers were particularly effective today.
• Offensively, George Springer broke the shutout bid with a 2-run HR in thhe 6th inning. Good that the home run jacket wasn't used given the score.
• The Blue Jays were successful on both their ABS challenges and the Royals didn't use an ABS challenge
• The Blue Jays were 1-6 with runners in scoring position
• It was a missed opportunity to gain ground in the WC race. The Blue Jays are now 3.5 games back of the Guardians for the 3rd WC spot. The Orioles (also lost today) are 3 games back of the 3rd WC spot. The remaining teams in the WC hunt were idle today. The Rangers are 2 games back of the 3rd WC spot, the Tigers and Mariners are 4 games back of the 3rd WC spot and the Tigers are 5.5 games back of the 3rd WC spot
• Up next, a huge series against the Mariners, who took the series in Seattle 4th of July long weekend, outscoring the Blue Jays 15-2. Ace Dylan Cease starts for the Blue Jays. The Mariners haven't set their rotation for the series yet.

Game #135 Kansas City Royals (59-75) v. Toronto Blue Jays (65-69)

Game #134 - Kansas City Royals (59-75) @ Toronto Blue Jays (65-69) - game recap

 

Nathan Lukes hit a 3-run HR to lift the Blue Jays to a 3-0 shutout win over the Royals

After dropping yesterday's game due to a lste game rally falling short, the Blue Jays were looking to even the series and avoid their 21st series loss of the season. It was another bullpen day with Spencer Miles starting with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Jesus Sanchez got the start in LF. George Springer was back in the lineup as DH after a day off yesterday. Could the Blue Jays even the series and avoid their 21st series loss of the season? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• Spencer Miles pitching line: 2IP 2H 0R 0BB 1K 33 pitches (20 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 4th as Nathan Lukes belted a 3-run jack to right-center; also scoring Jesus Sanchez and Kazuma Okamoto
• Randy Dobnak pitching line: 6IP 6H 3R (all earned) 1BB 5K 92 pitches (56 for strikes)
• Louis Varland got the last 4 outs for his 30th save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 3 Royals 0

My Take: 

• It was bullpen day for the upteenth time with Spencer Miles as the opener. It is unprecedented the amount of injuries the Blue Jays have suffered in 2026. However, the injuries have also created opportunities for some of the prospects like Spencer Miles to break into the majors and Miles has done a great job, largely playing a role as a multi-inning guy, but was aldo stretched out to be a starter when the injury woes/suboptimal performances from Eric Lauer were at their peak. Tonight, Miles pitched the first 2 innings, giving up 2 hits, walking none and striking out 1. The Blue Jays need to address the lsck of pitching depth in the rotation, both in the off-season (acquiring 2 or 3 starters who have the ability to throw 5 or 6 innings on a consistent basis via free agency and the trade market) and in spring training (building up at minimum 6 and ideally 7 or 8 to offset any injuries and/or performance woes.
• The rest of the bullpen threw 7 shutout innings, giving up 4 hits, walking 2 and striking out 8. Chad Dallas, Paul Sewald and Mason Fluharty retired every batter they faced. Louis Varland, who had to escape a jam the normally reliable Tyler Rogers got into in the 8th inning for his 30th save of the season. Varland is the first closer since Roberto Osuna in 2017 to record at least 30 saves. Duane Ward has the single season Blue Jays record with 45 saves in 1993. Ward is the only Blue Jays closer with at least 40 saves.
• Nathan Lukes got some redemption after making the final out of the ball game and killing a late game rally by going deep for the only 3 runs of the game. Jesus Sanchez had a multi-hit game. I'm not convinced this offense can do enough to give the Blue Jays enough wins to make the playoffs. The Blue Jays really need Vlad's bat to catch fire.
• Alejandro Kirk was 1-2 on ABS challenges and the Royals were unsuccessful in their only ABS challenge
• The Blue Jays were 1-5 with runners in scoring position
• In terms of the wild card race, the Blue Jays are 3 games back of the Guardians, who won earlier today for the 3rd WC spot. The Rangers are 1.5 games back oFthe Guardians for the 3rd WC spot, but they are looking like they will be 2 games back with the White Sox ahead by six runs and the Guardians down to their last 3 AB's with the game in the bottom of the 8th. The Orioles are 3 games back for the moment and will gain a half game if the score, that has the Orioles leading the Cardinals by a run in the bottom of the 9th holds. The Tigers are pretty much out of the race and sit 5.5 games back of the 3rd and final WC spot after a shutout loss to the Rays earlier today. The Mariners are 4 games back of the 3rd WC spot after a shutout loss to the Phillies. Finally,  the Twins lost as well and are 3.5 games back of the 3rd WC race.
• A shoutout to the Little League team from Little Mountain in East Vancouver, who repped Canada at the Little League World Series and kicked some butt, beating a heavily favored South Korea. They were knocked out of the tournanent by the formidable team from Japan. There have been some fine basebaall players who were born in BC, led by Larry Walkers. BCers who played for the Blue Jays include Jeff Francis, Michael Saunders, and Brett Lawrie. Who knows, maybe some of the kids from this little league squad will play in the majors or at least get drafted.
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 19th series win of the season. Spencer Arrighetti starts against Royals lefty Noah Cameron

Game #134 Kansas City Royals (59-74) v. Toronto Blue Jays (64-69)

 

Game #133 - Kansas City Royals (59-74) @ Toronto Blue Jays (64-69) - game recap

 

Nathan Lukes drove in a pair of runs in a 5-3 loss to the Royals 

After an off-day/travel day yesterday, the Blue Jays opened a week long homestand, taking on the KC Royals for the first time this season. The Royals won the season series last year, outscoring the Blue Jays 45-21. Shane Bieber was placed on the 15-day IL (retroactive to August 21) with a right major teres strain. Chad Dallas was recalled from AAA-ball. Max Scherzer got the start with Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate. Myles Straw was in LF, Brett Bateman was in CF and Nathan Lukes wad in RF. Andres Gimenez was back in the lineup at SS after missing a few days with a strained hamstring. Ernie Clement was at 2B. Jesus Sanchez served as DH. Could the Blue Jays start the week and homestand with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Royals opened the scoring in the top of the 1st on a double play ball hit by Salvador Perez that scored Bobby Witt Jr.
• The Blue Jays tied it in the bottom half of the inning on a sac fly by Jesus Sanchez that scored Brett Bateman
• The Royals took the lead in the top of the 5th as Perez singled scoring Witt Jr.
• Max Scherzer pitching line: 5IP 4H 2R (both earned) 5BB 4K 92 pitches (51 for strikes)
• Seth Lugo pitching line: 5IP 6H 1R (earned) 1BB 5K 89 pitches (53 for strikes)
• The Royals took the lead in the top of the 6th on a throwing error by Vlad on a ball hit by Kyle Isbel that scored Nick Loftin
• A batter later, John Rave scored on a sac fly hit by Carter Jensen
• The Royals added a run in the top of the 9th as Rave singled scoring Tyler Tolbert
• The Blue Jays got a pair back in the bottom half of the inning as Nathan Lukes singled scoring Daz Cameron and Bateman
• Final score: Royals 5 Blue Jays 3

My  Take:

• Max Scherzer battled through 5 innings, giving up a pair of runs on 4 hits while walking 5 and striking out 4. He struggled with his command right from the get-go and got fortunate to escape the 1st inning with just one run allowed thanks to Salvador Perez hitting into a double play. He did settle down to retire 8 in a row at one point. The Blue Jays need Scherzer to go deeper in games as they continue to be pummeled in the injury department.
• The bullpen gave up 3 runs (just 1 earned thanks to a bad throw to first from Vladdy after fielding a bunt) on 6 hits while walking 4 and striking out 5 over the last 4 innings. None of the relievers got through an inning cleanly, but at least none of the runs were charged to Brendan Little, Mason Fluharty or Paul Sewald.
• The offense didn't do muchh except tying the game immediately after the Royals took the lead thanks to a Jesus Sanchez ssac fly and a clutch base hit by Nathan Lukes, who ended the game trying to stretch the single into a double. Alejandro Kirk's hitting streak came to an end. Gutsy effort by Ernie Clement to stay in the game after fouling the ball off his balls. Next time he'll be weariing a cup after that experience
• The Blue Jays were 3-1 on ABS challenges. Royals catcher Carter Jensen was unsuccessful on the Royals only ABS challenge
• The Blue Jays were a dreadful 1-11 with runners in scoring position
• In terms of the wild card race, The Blue Jays are now 2.5 games back of the Guardians (who are currently losing their game against the Angels, who are playing the spoiler role very well) for the 2rd WC spot. The Rangers (who lost to the White Sox) are a half game back of the 3rd WC spot The Orioles (spanked the Cardinals 13-1) and Twins (currently losing to the A's) are both 2 games back of the 3rd WC spot. The Mariners (currently tied with the Phillies in their game tonight) are 3 games back of the 3rd WC spot. Finally, the Tigers, whp won today, are 4 games back of the 3rd WC spot. There's going to be lots of scoreboard watching in the last month of the season. Buckle up Blue Jays fans.
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to even the series and avoid their 21st series loss of the season. It will be an all too familiar bullpen game for the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays offense will take on Royals righty Randy Dobnak.