Putrid pitching combined with lack of power deny Blue Jays series sweep of host Minnesota Twins
A series would be won, but a sweep denied as the Blue Jays leave the Land of 10,000 Lakes with their collective heads well above water, at least for the time being.
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At the same time, the margin for error remains thin for a team whose pitching depth is getting tested and whose ability to stage comeback wins is not sustainable.
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The following are three takeaways from Sunday's series finale at Target Field where the Blue Jays were off target almost from the get-go, a day when Toronto's pitchers yielded a combined eight walks through the opening five innings en route to a 6-3 loss to the host Minnesota Twins.
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1. Bowden bounced
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An argument could be made that Sunday's start was the biggest for Bowden Francis, who wasn't able to make it out of the second inning in his most recent outing when the visiting Phillies lit up the beleaguered right-hander.
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Against Philadelphia, he began the game by issuing a four-pitch walk.
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Against the Twins, he once again yielded a leadoff walk, only this one came on a full count.
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An additional free pass would ensue, but he survived the first inning by recording two strikeouts.
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In the second, the Twins loaded the bases — twice.
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When he faced Trevor Larnach with one out, Francis had recorded as many outs (4) as walks.
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While it's true the Jays have been playing their best baseball of the season, some troublesome areas can't be overlooked, beginning with the lack of depth in the starting rotation.
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Given the state of an overused bullpen, Francis needed to be much better.
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He was fortunate to be facing a Twins lineup that was not opportunistic.
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Minny's overall game, in fact, was spotty.
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Misfortune struck Francis when he gave up a leadoff homer in the fourth to move him into the inglorious category of league leader having yielded his 18th belt of the season.
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One batter later, home run No. 19 was in the books.
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Painful can best describe Francis' outing.
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A pitch count violation only added more salt to the wound.
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A great defensive play at third base by Addison Barger prevented Bowden from an even more embarrassing exit.
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Once the out was recorded, Francis' day had ended.
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