Surging Blue Jays relying on each other to get the job done
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
25 minutes ago
- CBC
Edmonton Elks look to end skid against Ottawa, right ship for rest of season
Edmonton Elks quarterback Tre Ford still believes in his team's ability to set the tone for this season. The Elks (0-3) are looking for their first victory when they host the Ottawa Redblacks (1-3) Sunday at Commonwealth Stadium. All three of Edmonton's losses have come by double-digit margins. "It's still early in the season so we can still set the tone," said Ford. "This one's going to be really big. I don't like to use the must-win term, but I think it's definitely one we need." His twin brother, cornerback Tyrell, said he's not worried about the team being winless. "I'm pretty sure last year in Winnipeg we started like 1-4, so I'm not worried," he said. "Once we all get together and play a full 60 minutes we're going to be tough to beat." The problem has been playing those 60 minutes. The fourth quarters, in particular, have been costly for the struggling Elks. In losses to the B.C. Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Elks were outscored 27-7 in the fourth quarters. Although they outscored the Montreal Alouettes 22-10 in the final quarter, it wasn't enough to get a win in Week 2. "It's where this team needs to grow," Elks head coach Mark Kalim said of the fourth quarter. "That's where we need all three sides of the football and somebody needs to step up and make the plays we need to win games. "We need to find ways to make plays late in the game. That's what good teams do to win." Linebacker Josiah Schakel pointed to the final six minutes of their 36-23 loss to Winnipeg last week, when they were outscored 10-0 as a good example of the team's late-game problems. "We can't play 55 minutes and then lose in the last five minutes. We have to make sure that the way we start is the way we finish. And don't make mental mistakes in key moments in the game." One of the big challenges for the Elks will be trying to stop Ottawa quarterback Dru Brown, who is looking for a record-breaking fourth straight 400-plus-yard passing game. After throwing for 413 yards and two touchdowns in the Redblacks' Week 1 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Brown missed three games with a hip injury. "He's a gunslinger, he believes in his arm and he's going to throw the ball deep," said Tyrell Ford. "I know he wants to get that record for the 400 yards, but I think we're ready for him." Linebacker Nick Anderson backed up Ford's comments, adding that Brown has "great confidence in where he can fit the ball. A lot of times he tries to fit the ball in tight windows because he has great receivers who can make the catches." However, Anderson added that because Brown throws often and likes to extend plays by scrambling, he also creates the opportunity for interceptions. "We don't have any interceptions yet, so looking to get our hands on one of these for sure," he said. The Elks, who ended a record 22-game home losing streak late last season, are eager for a win to take off the pressure that's sure to build if they don't win. "There's definitely pressure but there's always pressure to perform well," said Tre Ford. "Obviously 0-3 is not the way you want to start but, not to make excuses, but we've had a tough schedule.
Globe and Mail
31 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Blue Jays secure 7th straight win, beat Los Angeles Angels 4-3
Addison Barger hit a walk-off single in the 11th inning and the Toronto Blue Jays extended their season-best winning streak to seven by beating the Los Angeles Angels 4-3 on Saturday. George Springer added a two-run home run, his fifth in five games, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had three hits for the Blue Jays, who won their second straight in extra innings. Toronto won 4-3 in 10 innings Friday. Barger lined the winning hit to right field off Angels right-hander Ryan Zeferjahn (5-3). Toronto's Braydon Fisher (3-0) pitched two shutout innings for the win. Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer allowed two runs and five hits in four innings, the shortest of his three starts since coming off the injured list last month. Scherzer threw 72 pitches, 46 strikes. Angels outfielder Jo Adell opened the scoring with a bases-loaded walk in the first, but the inning ended when right fielder Barger caught Jorge Soler's fly ball and threw Mike Trout out at home plate. The outfield assist was Barger's sixth. Barger's RBI single off Jack Kochanowicz tied the score in the bottom of the first but Adell restored the lead with a sacrifice fly in the third. Nathan Lukes walked to begin the third and Springer followed with a 413-foot homer to straightaway centre, his 16th. The Angels tied it in the seventh on Nolan Schanuel's two-out single off rookie Lazaro Estrada. Barger broke his bat over his thigh in frustration after striking out against Kenley Jansen to send the game to extra innings, but was celebrating after his winning hit in the 11th. After throwing a ball to Logan O'Hoppe on his first pitch of the second inning, Scherzer struck out the side on nine straight pitches. RHP Kevin Gausman (6-6, 4.18 ERA) is scheduled to start Sunday's series finale against Angels LHP Tyler Anderson (2-5, 4.12).
National Post
32 minutes ago
- National Post
Bobby Jenks, 2-time All-Star closer and World Series champion with White Sox, dies at 44
CHICAGO — Bobby Jenks, a two-time All-Star closer and World Series champion with the Chicago White Sox, has died, the team announced Saturday. He was 44. Article content The White Sox said Jenks died Friday in Sintra, Portugal, where he was being treated for adenocarcinoma, a form of stomach cancer. Article content Article content Jenks helped the White Sox win the 2005 World Series, saving four games in six appearances during the postseason. He was an All-Star in each of the next two seasons while saving 41 games in 2006 and 40 in 2007. Article content He retired 41 consecutive batters in 2007, matching a record for a reliever. Article content Bobby will forever hold a special place in all our hearts 🤍 — Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 5, 2025 Article content 'He was embarrassing guys, good hitters, right away,' former White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko said in a video tribute. Article content Jenks saved 173 games for the White Sox from 2005-10 before finishing his career with 19 appearances in 2011 for the Boston Red Sox. For his career, he was 16-20 with a 3.53 ERA and 351 strikeouts in 348 appearances, all in relief. Article content 'He and his family knew cancer would be his toughest battle, and he will be missed as a husband, father, friend and teammate,' White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. 'He will forever hold a special place in all our hearts.' Article content
