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Reuters
4 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
After facing lowly Rockies, Orioles draw Jays for four
July 28 - The Baltimore Orioles finally got things going in the right direction against the worst team in baseball. Now the challenge rises considerably when the Toronto Blue Jays visit for the opener of a four-game series on Monday. The Orioles have won two in a row after Sunday afternoon's 5-1 victory against the visiting Colorado Rockies. It's Baltimore's first winning streak since July 10-11. But now the Orioles go from facing the team with the worst record in the majors to facing the team with the best. What's more, despite the wins over the Rockies, the Orioles are 4-6 since the All-Star break and enter Monday trailing the Blue Jays by 15 1/2 games in the American League East. Toronto had a four-game winning streak snapped with Sunday's 10-4 loss at Detroit. The Blue Jays are 8-2 since the break. Despite their success, the Blue Jays need to improve away from home. They're 26-26 in road games. The series will be played over three days as a doubleheader is scheduled for Tuesday. The teams have split six meetings so far this season but have not played each other since April 13. Back then, the Orioles were considered one of the American League favorites and the Blue Jays weren't among the favorites entering the season. That has changed dramatically as Toronto has emerged as a front-runner. But the Blue Jays are not without their issues. Catcher Alejandro Kirk suffered a concussion Saturday when a foul ball struck his mask, so manager John Schneider said Tyler Heineman will handle a bulk of the catching in Kirk's absence. The team also called up Ali Sanchez from Triple-A Buffalo. "He'll stay with us and rest up," Schneider said of Kirk, who was placed on the seven-day injured list. "You never really know with a concussion, and we don't want to take any chances." Baltimore is expected to make some roster adjustments, as well, but that has more to do with Thursday's trade deadline. "There will be some adversity throughout the week, without a doubt," said interim manager Tony Mansolino. Yet catcher Adley Rutschman is expected back after an injury rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Norfolk. Orioles designated hitter Tyler O'Neill is on a tear with a home run in each of his past three games. He hadn't done that since 2021 with the St. Louis Cardinals. "We knew it was only a matter of time, just getting on the field and getting reps," infielder Gunnar Henderson said. "That was, I feel like, the biggest thing, was just getting out there." Right-hander Zach Eflin (6-5. 5.78 ERA) heads to the mound for the Orioles in the opener. He opened the season with a win over the host Blue Jays on March 27, giving up two runs on two hits over six innings in a 12-2 win. The Jays' runs came on a two-run homer from Andres Gimenez, who has been out with an injury since July 4. More recently, Eflin's only appearance this month came with Wednesday's 3-2 loss at Cleveland, where he gave up two runs on five hits over five innings. Eflin is 4-3 with a 5.40 ERA in 10 career games -- nine starts -- vs. the Blue Jays. Toronto's starter will be right-hander Chris Bassitt (11-4, 3.88), who is 4-0 across four starts this month. Along with an inning of relief pitched the day before the All-Star break, Bassitt has a 2.39 ERA in July. Bassitt picked up a March 30 victory at home against Baltimore by logging six innings and holding the Orioles to one run on eight hits with seven strikeouts. Bassitt has made nine career starts against Baltimore, notching a 5-3 record and 4.61 ERA in those games. --Field Level Media
Edmonton Journal
4 days ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Blue Jays denied a Motown sweep when red-hot bats suddenly go cold
Article content One has to go back to June 13 to find a time when the Blue Jays were shutout, an 8-0 setback in Philadelphia against a very good Phillies team loaded with quality starters. Article content Technically, the Jays did score in Sunday's in loss, but it was checkered, to say the least, because it came off a recently DFA'd pitcher in a ninth inning featuring a bad call by the home plate ump that led to a walk, the first of three, followed by defensive indifference. Article content Article content Either way, the Jays weren't good, save for their starter and cleanup hitter, and should have been held scoreless until a series of unusual circumstances helped the visitors in the ninth. Article content Article content At no time in franchise history have the Jays earned a four-game sweep in Motown, an elusive feat that would continue following their 10-4 loss. In the opening three games of the series, the Jays outscored the Tigers 23-7. Article content The only player from the bottom of the order to record a hit was Tyler Heineman, who will be expected to fill the void behind the plate in the absence of Alejandro Kirk. Article content Four-run innings have been the norm of late with the Blue Jays, who were on the receiving end when Detroit plated seven in the eighth, a truly ugly frame when the MLB-leading team unraveled. Article content Article content The following are three takeaways on an afternoon the Jays would lose a game for only the second time since the all-star break, but they would take the season series from the Tigers. Article content 1. Mad Max in the Motor City Article content On his 41st birthday, veteran Max Scherzer started against a team he spent five years from 2010 through 2014, which included a World Series appearance in 2012. Article content He's been built up after injuring his thumb in Scherzer's debut with the Blue Jays. Article content Sunday's outing was Scherzer's seventh start of the season. Article content In the first inning, he struck out two by resorting to his fastball. Article content During the Jays' stay at Comerica Park, the team has received solid starting pitching, beginning with Eric Lauer, who was at his absolute best in Thursday's series opener.
National Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
Blue Jays denied a Motown sweep when red-hot bats suddenly go cold
One has to go back to June 13 to find a time when the Blue Jays were shutout, an 8-0 setback in Philadelphia against a very good Phillies team loaded with quality starters. Article content Technically, the Jays did score in Sunday's in loss, but it was checkered, to say the least, because it came off a recently DFA'd pitcher in a ninth inning featuring a bad call by the home plate ump that led to a walk, the first of three, followed by defensive indifference. Article content Article content Article content Either way, the Jays weren't good, save for their starter and cleanup hitter, and should have been held scoreless until a series of unusual circumstances helped the visitors in the ninth. Article content The Tigers, despite leading the AL Central, have not been good, losers of six in a row and 12 of their past 13 heading into Sunday's series finale. Article content One could argue the Tigers were long overdue. Article content At no time in franchise history have the Jays earned a four-game sweep in Motown, an elusive feat that would continue following their 10-4 loss. Article content In the opening three games of the series, the Jays outscored the Tigers 23-7. Article content The only player from the bottom of the order to record a hit was Tyler Heineman, who will be expected to fill the void behind the plate in the absence of Alejandro Kirk. Article content Four-run innings have been the norm of late with the Blue Jays, who were on the receiving end when Detroit plated seven in the eighth, a truly ugly frame when the MLB-leading team unraveled. Article content The following are three takeaways on an afternoon the Jays would lose a game for only the second time since the all-star break, but they would take the season series from the Tigers. Article content Article content 1. Mad Max in the Motor City Article content On his 41st birthday, veteran Max Scherzer started against a team he spent five years from 2010 through 2014, which included a World Series appearance in 2012. Article content He's been built up after injuring his thumb in Scherzer's debut with the Blue Jays. Article content Sunday's outing was Scherzer's seventh start of the season. Article content In the first inning, he struck out two by resorting to his fastball. Article content During the Jays' stay at Comerica Park, the team has received solid starting pitching, beginning with Eric Lauer, who was at his absolute best in Thursday's series opener. Article content After retiring the first six hitters, Scherzer gave up a single and double to begin the third inning. Article content He almost got out of the inning unscathed until Gleyber Torres took Scherzer deep for a three-run blast. Article content It was the eighth longball Scherzer has yielded this season and fifth in his past three starts.
CTV News
20-07-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Unsung heroes, batting depth step up for Blue Jays in 6-3 win over Giants
Toronto Blue Jays third base Ernie Clement (22) is safe a home plate during sixth inning MLB action against the San Francisco Giants in Toronto on Saturday, July 19, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays may have star power, but they've had contributions from unsung heroes this season. That happened Saturday afternoon when Toronto's 7-8-9 hitters accounted for all six runs and went a collective 5-for-10 in the team's 6-3 victory over the San Francisco Giants at Rogers Centre. Second baseman Ernie Clement finished with an RBI. Third baseman Will Wagner hit a two-run double. And catcher Tyler Heineman had one of the best games of his career, hitting a two-run homer in the sixth inning to finish 2-for-3 with three RBI. Blue Jays manager John Schneider credits his club's hitting coaches for this lower-lineup success. 'It starts with Pop, and Lou and Hunter,' said Schneider of Toronto's hitting staff. 'And really diving into what these guys are good at and how they are going to get pitched and having a plan. And then it's the guys buying into that plan and sticking with it. It's not easy to do when you don't play every day and you're hitting 7-8-9. 'The tendency is to chase results and the guys aren't doing that.' The Blue Jays got contributions from more than their batting depth Saturday. Starter Eric Lauer picked up his fifth win of the season while allowing two runs and no walks in six innings of work. Lauer also struck out seven batters. Signed to a minor-league deal Dec. 13, 2024, after he was cut by the KBO's Kia Tigers, Lauer has been a strong addition to the Blue Jays' rotation in 2025. The left-hander has a 2.80 earned-run average and a 1.04 walks plus hits per inning pitched in eight starts for the Blue Jays this season. 'One, probably,' said Clement of where Lauer would rank among Toronto's unsung heroes. 'What he's been able to do and come in and just give us a chance to win every game. It's invaluable. So, tip of the cap to him. He's probably been our unsung MVP so far.' Schneider says Lauer's demeanour hasn't changed as his quality starts increased. 'That's one of the things I love about him,' Scheider said of Lauer post-game. 'He's kind of a flat-liner…Not getting too high or too low, and kind of doing what everyone's doing, where you go out and do what we ask of you and you move on to the next time you go out there.' Accustomed to a long relief role as well as a starter this season, Lauer believes the latter is where has earned the right to be. 'I'm just trying to make sure that I stick in the rotation, honestly' Lauer said. 'That's what I want to do, and that's where I think I can help the team best.' With Bowden Francis still on the injured list with a shoulder impingement, the Blue Jays need Lauer in the rotation moving forward. Toronto will attempt to sweep the three-game homestand against the Giants on Sunday before hosting the New York Yankees in a three-game set starting Monday. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 19, 2025. Mike Stephens, The Canadian Press
Toronto Sun
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Blue Jays' bottom of the order comes up big in comeback win over Giants
Blue Jays' Tyler Heineman runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the eighth inning against the Giants at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Saturday, July 19, 2025. Photo by Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images From top to bottom, the Blue Jays' lineup has generally been good as evidenced by the club's excellent record and first-place standing in the AL East. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The team's big boys tend to reside in the top of the order, but this season, if anything, has shown that even the alleged unknowns are more than capable of producing. Witness Saturday's 6-3 comeback win over the San Francisco Giants at a sold-out Rogers Centre crowd of 42,015. All six of Toronto's runs came from the bottom of the order as the triumvirate sparked the team to its longest home winning streak in 10 years. Tyler Heineman drove in the winning run with an RBI double in the sixth inning before he unloaded on a two-run homer in the eighth to give the Jays their ninth home win in succession. The trio of Ernie Clement, Will Wagner and Heineman went 5-for-10 at the plate. Logan Webb is a tough pitcher and yet it was Toronto's bottom of the order that did the damage. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'They just stuck to their approach,' said manager John Schneider following the win as the Jays improved to 57-41. Clement has hit as high as leadoff. He has that rare bat control that allows him to lay down bunts, hit behind runners or be used in hit-and-run scenarios. Wagner came on the scene last season following the trade deadline deal with Houston that also netted Joey Loperfido. Heineman has come out the blue, but he is more than a serviceable backup catcher. Saturday's belt was Heineman's third of the season, while his first-career multiple extra-base hit game would also be produced in the win. As well as the bottom of the order performed, it was hard to overlook Addison Barger's career-high four-hit performance. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'A guy with really, really great talent,'' added the skipper on Barger. 'He can hit the ball hard, he can hit the ball out of the ballpark, and you pair that with a very good approach. 'He's got a bright future. He can be as good as anyone … It's tools, it's approach, it's confidence. He's in a good spot.' The same could be said for the Jays, who have taken the first two games of the series after losing three of four just before the all-star break. With a series win already assured heading into Sunday's finale, the Jays have won seven of their past eight series at home and 12 of the their previous 15 overall series. A win Sunday will give the Jays their third straight home series sweep. Read More World MMA Toronto & GTA Tennis Uncategorized
