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| Ernie Clement hit an RBI single in a 5-inning, rain-shortened 2-run loss to the Royals |
After a 2nd straight 3-2 loss, the Blue Jays were looking to snap a 2-game skid and escape KC with a series split. A day after losing Kevin Kiermaier to the 10-day IL due to left hip flexor inflammation (allowing utility man Addison Barger to make his big league debut in LF), the Blue Jays lost reliever Bowden Francis to the 15-day IL with right forearm extensor tendinitis. Lefty Brendon Little was recalled from AAA-ball. Ace Jose Berrios got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Justin Turner was back as DH after an off-day yesterday. Davis Schneider was in LF. Isiah Kiner-Falefa got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays snap the 2-game skid and earn the series split.
Game Highlights:
- The Royals opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Salvador Perez hammered a 2-run bomb to left; also scoring Vinnie Pasquantino
- The Blue Jays tied the game in the top of the 4th as Ernie Clement singled scoring Justin Turner
- Cole Ragans pitching line: CG 5IP 3H 1R (earned) 3BB 4K 76 pitches (46 for strikes)
- Jose Berrios pitching line: CG 5IP 3H 2R (both earned) 3BB 1K 67 pitches (45 for strikes)
- Final score: Royals 2 Blue Jays 1 (5 innings due to rain)
My Take:
- And the quality start streak for Jose Berrios is over thanks to mother nature intervening. Berrios is having a remarkable start to the season with 4 wins in 5 starts, 5 quality starts (pitched minimum 6 innings, allowing 3 or less earned runs), a 0.85 ERA and 1.011 WHIP. Tonight, Berrios gave up a 2-run in the 1st inning. He gave up a further 2 walks and hits over the last 4 innings and struck out a batter. He retired 9 of the last 10 batters he faced.
- Davis Schneider was the only Blue Jays batter to reach base multiple times, drawing 2 walks
- The Blue Jays were 2-5 runners in scoring position.
- Up next, the Blue Jays limp home, literally and figuratively, to open a 3-game series against the team with the highest expectations in baseball, the LA Dodgers. The series will feature Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani, who signed baseball's richest deal and stealthily deferred the vast majority of it to the end of the deal. It will be interesting to see how Blue Jays fans greet Ohtani, who was said to be on a plane to Toronto, only to announce the record deal with the Dodgers on his instagram page the next day. The Blue Jays won the 2023 season against the Dodgers 2-1, outscoring the Dodgers 21-12. Chris Bassitt starts against Dodgers righty Gavin Stone.
