Blue Jays look to get back to ‘who we are as a team' amid struggles
The Blue Jays wasted a solid six-inning effort from Bassitt with their sixth loss in eight games, a 7-4 defeat in 10 innings to the Kansas City Royals on Sunday. Toronto (65-48) still leads the American League East by three games over the Boston Red Sox, an advantage built by a 49-28 record since May 8, the best run by an AL team during that stretch.
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Canada News.Net
7 hours ago
- Canada News.Net
Blue Jays bid to get back on track in opener vs. Rockies
(Photo credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images) The Toronto Blue Jays have stumbled a bit since soaring to the top of the American League East by winning 19 of 23 games. Toronto has lost six of its last eight contests to see its lead in the division dwindle to three games. The Blue Jays can turn things around when they begin a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies on Monday night in Denver. Left-hander Eric Lauer (6-2, 2.68 ERA) will start for the Blue Jays in the opener against Colorado right-hander Tanner Gordon (2-3, 4.85). Gordon, who has yet to face Toronto in his career, will make his third start since being recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque on July 23. Lauer has become a vital part of the Blue Jays' rotation after beginning the season in the minors. He began his career with San Diego in 2018 and was part of Milwaukee's playoff run in 2021 -- he also excelled there in 2022 -- but he struggled after that. Lauer dealt with arm and shoulder injuries and didn't pitch in the majors in 2024. He was recalled by the Blue Jays in late April after injuries thinned their pitching staff, and he has provided an impact. Lauer has appeared in 17 games (11 starts) and has been a fixture in the rotation since June 11. He has allowed more than two runs on two occasions in his starts -- and no more than three runs -- and is 4-1 since becoming a full-time starter. 'I think I've really taken advantage of the spots that I've been put into,' Lauer said recently. 'That was my game plan the whole time. Show what I can do, hopefully edge my way into the rotation as a permanent spot.' He has faced the Rockies 12 times in his career but has struggled in those outings. He is 1-6 with a 7.58 ERA against them, and his record in Denver is worse -- 0-6 with a 12.73 ERA in seven starts. Lauer will face the worst team in baseball but one that is feeling confident. Colorado, despite having just 30 wins, is 8-7 since the All-Star break and 6-3 at home in that stretch. The Rockies are coming off a 9-5 loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday but rallied to win the first two games of the series. Colorado has averaged seven runs over the last nine home games. One of the offensive sparks has been outfielder Jordan Beck, who batted .455 with two home runs and six RBIs in the series win against the Pirates. He has raised his average from .264 to .279 over the last 15 games. Beck has reached base in 16 of the last 19 games, and his .314 average in 23 games in July has coincided with Colorado's recent surge. The Rockies won't reach the postseason but are on pace to avoid setting the record for most losses (121) in the modern era. 'The All-Star break was a good reset for us,' Beck said. 'We came back in the second half, even after the trades and stuff happened, and felt like, 'All right, we got what we got. Let's do it.''
CTV News
17 hours ago
- CTV News
Royals catch fire with five-run 10th inning to push past Blue Jays 7-4
Kansas City Royals first base Vinnie Pasquantino (9) scores in front Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk after a sacrifice fly from Royals' Mike Yastrzemski during fourth inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Sunday August 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young TORONTO — Kyle Isbel ignited a five-run 10th inning with an RBI double to push the Kansas City Royals to a 7-4 win in the series rubber match against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. With Randal Grichuk on second as the automatic runner, Isbel snuck a grounder down the right-field line off reliever Seranthony Dominguez (2-4) as the Blue Jays (65-48) lost back-to-back series for the first time since mid-May. The Royals (56-56) tacked on two more runs with a Tyler Tolbert single with the bases loaded off Dominguez. A throwing error from catcher Alejandro Kirk and a sacrifice fly made it a five-run advantage before 41,461 at Rogers Centre. Royals reliever Hunter Harvey (1-0) registered the win with a strong ninth inning. Toronto added two runs in the bottom of the 10th. Kansas City tied the game for a second time with a two-out single from Vinnie Pasquantino off reliever Louis Varland that scored Bobby Witt Jr. in the eighth inning. Blue Jays starter Chris Bassitt only allowed one run on one hit with three walks and five strikeouts in six innings. In the fourth inning, he was bothered by mound issues where his left foot landed. Bassitt issued back-to-back walks and hit Salvador Perez in the left arm to load the bases. Mike Yastrzemski's sacrifice fly made it 1-1. Myles Straw knocked in Bo Bichette for Toronto's first run in the second inning. The home side snatched a 2-1 lead with Joey Loperfido's RBI single to centre in the fifth inning. Royals starter Seth Lugo lasted 4 2/3 innings after 91 pitches. He gave up two runs on four hits and four walks with three strikeouts. Kirk returned to the Toronto lineup after missing seven games with a concussion. Takeaways Royals: John Rave made a diving catch to his left to take away an extra base-hit in the left-field gap from Addison Barger in the fourth inning. Blue Jays: Newcomer Shane Bieber, who underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2024, made his first rehab start with triple-A Buffalo on Sunday. He threw 62 pitches in five innings, yielding two runs on five hits and a walk with six strikeouts. One of the hits was a homer. Bieber also picked off a runner at first base. Key Moment Isbel broke up Bassitt's no-hit bid with a one-out single to centre in the fifth inning that eluded a leaping Ernie Clement. Key Stat After six hits in the series, Bichette left the field as the Major League Baseball hit leader with 138. Up Next The Blue Jays begin a six-game road trip on Monday against the Colorado Rockies and will conclude with a weekend series in Los Angeles against the Dodgers. Lefty Eric Lauer (6-2) will face Colorado's Tanner Gordon (2-3) in the series opener. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 3, 2025. Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press
CTV News
18 hours ago
- CTV News
Blue Jays look to get back to ‘who we are as a team' amid struggles
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt (40) works against Kansas City Royals during second inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Sunday August 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young TORONTO — Chris Bassitt is not about to reach for the panic button despite the recent play of the Toronto Blue Jays. The Blue Jays wasted a solid six-inning effort from Bassitt with their sixth loss in eight games, a 7-4 defeat in 10 innings to the Kansas City Royals on Sunday. Toronto (65-48) still leads the American League East by three games over the Boston Red Sox, an advantage built by a 49-28 record since May 8, the best run by an AL team during that stretch. Bassitt believes his club has suffered a letdown after emerging from the all-star break by winning two of three from the rival New York Yankees and three of four from the Detroit Tigers, who at the time had Major League Baseball's best record. 'Then I thought we just laid an egg in Baltimore, where we ran into a super-hot Baltimore offence, and we just weren't ready for it,' said Bassitt of the Orioles winning three times in the four-game series. 'Unfortunately, it happens.' The Royals arrived in Toronto having won seven of their last 10. The rubber-match win on Sunday, before 41,461 at Rogers Centre, meant the Blue Jays dropped back-to-back series for the first time since mid-May. 'You just take your licks,' Bassitt said. 'It's going to happen through the year. 'It's just getting back to who we are as a team, good pitching from the starters to the bullpen and just grind out at-bats.' There was also the trade deadline on Thursday. It yielded the Blue Jays three new pitchers and first baseman Ty France. France did not play in the series finale against the Royals. But the three pitchers performed on Sunday to mixed reviews. Reliever Louis Varland gave up the tying run in the eighth inning, and Seranthony Dominguez was hammered for five more in the 10th. Meanwhile, in his first rehab start for triple-A Buffalo, Shane Bieber was encouraging. He tossed 62 pitches in five innings, surrendering two runs, including a homer, on five hits with a walk and five strikeouts. Toronto manager John Schneider would like to keep Bieber with five days of rest between starts, but his next outing will not be set in stone until the Blue Jays staff sees how he feels after this latest start. 'I think hearing his comments after the game are more encouraging,' Schneider said. The 30-year-old Bieber, who underwent Tommy John surgery on April 12, 2024, reported he felt 'great' and 'excited' about where he's at in the recovery process. 'We're taking it a start at a time,' Schneider said. 'But I think from the stuff, the number of pitches, the (velocity), it's really encouraging.' Bieber sat beside Bassitt in the Blue Jays' dugout on Saturday. Part of their conversation was some sage advice on the stages of recovery after Tommy John surgery. Bassitt underwent the procedure on his right arm in May 2016. 'Most of it's private,' said Bassitt, when asked about what they talked about. 'From a stance of what I can talk about, it was just how his (Tommy John) rehab was going. 'I've been through it. So just understanding what he's going through, how he's feeling, the bad and good feelings of the process and things like that. I was wondering where he was at.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 3, 2025. Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press
