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Globe and Mail
2 days ago
- Sport
- Globe and Mail
Blue Jays lose to Diamondbacks 9-5 in series finale
Eugenio Suarez and Pavin Smith combined to drive in seven runs as the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Toronto Blue Jays 9-5 on Thursday. Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman struggled through 4 1/3 innings to take the loss, allowing seven earned runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out four. Catcher Alejandro Kirk blasted two solo home runs for Toronto (41-34), which was denied its sixth sweep of the season after winning the first two games of the interleague series. Suarez's damage came early for the Diamondbacks (37-37), who climbed back to .500 with the win. Bichette homers, Guerrero drives in three runs as Blue Jays dump Diamondbacks 8-1 Obituary: Blue Jays team doctor Ron Taylor won two World Series as pitcher The third baseman backed up a bloop single from Canadian Josh Naylor with his 22nd home run of the season in the second inning, then struck again in the third with a two-out, two-run double. He added a single in the fifth and finished a triple away from the cycle. Smith, the first baseman, smashed a two-run home run in the fifth inning and drove in another run on a sacrifice fly one inning later. Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte and outfielder Randal Grichuk contributed one RBI apiece. Kirk added an RBI single in the eighth as the Blue Jays briefly threatened a late comeback. Centre fielder Jonatan Clase hit his second long ball of the season to open the inning and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., pounded an RBI double three batters later, but George Springer hit into a double play to end the rally. Gausman's performance was a continuation of some June woes. The 34-year-old, whose record fell to 5-6, has now allowed 17 earned runs through 20 innings over four starts this month, a rough follow-up to a sterling May in which he went 3-1 with a 2.81 ERA. Diamondbacks starter Ryne Nelson (4-2) earned the win after tossing 5.2 innings with four strikeouts and two walks. The lone hit he allowed was Kirk's first home run. Right fielder Alan Roden was a late scratch for the Blue Jays with right knee inflammation. He was replaced by rookie Will Robertson. Clase was back in the starting lineup and hitting ninth. He missed Wednesday's game after he was hit by a pitch in Tuesday's series opener. Toronto already has three outfielders – Daulton Varsho, Anthony Santander and Nathan Lukes – on the injured list. A fourth, Myles Straw, has missed two straight games and is day-to-day with an ankle injury. Toronto begins a three-game home series against the Chicago White Sox on Friday. The Blue Jays' starting pitcher has yet to be announced, while the White Sox will send out right-hander Davis Martin (2-7, 3.79 ERA).
Toronto Sun
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Blue Jays revert to offensively-challenged ways in dropping series opener to host Phillies
Phillies baserunner Otto Kemp, right, is tagged out at home plate by Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk, left, during second inning MLB action at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Friday, June 13, 2025. Photo by Hunter Martin / Getty Images The Blue Jays received no affection from the City of Brotherly Love. 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 Instead, they got a look at the team they used to be when runs were scarce and extra-base hits even scarcer. They have been playing well and how they respond to Friday night's 8-0 loss to the host Philadelphia Phillies will provide a deeper glimpse into how this team has evolved. The Jays have not lost two games in a row since that embarrassing three-game sweep in Tampa last month when the visitors scored a combined two runs. The following are three takeaways on a night Kevin Gausman issued a free pass to lead off the third inning, his fourth walk of the game, as a few borderline calls went against him. Gausman's season-high for walks in a single game is five. 1. High five The Blue Jays wrap up their nine-game road trip with this weekend's series in Philadelphia. 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. Entering Friday night, the Jays had gone 5-1. In their five wins, the Jays scored 31 total runs. While they have feasted on left-handers, Ranger Suarez had the Jays on their heels. Suarez was in control, yielding three hits through six innings, which included an infield hit. Two of those base knocks were to Alejandro Kirk, who is as hot as any hitter. Through six innings, Suarez struck out six. A big reason for Toronto's recent surge has been tied to its offence, helping the Jays improve their record to 38-30 entering Friday. Good pitching, it's been said, often beats good hitting. Suarez validated that saying. He gave up his fourth hit when Ernie Clement reached base on a one-out single in the seventh inning. He allowed the Jays to get their first runner in scoring position following a two-out walk to Davis Schneider, who reached base on a fifth-inning single. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Suarez gave the Phillies seven scoreless innings in his start. 2. Rivalry renewed The Jays and Phillies will forever be linked to the 1993 World Series, a six-game championship showdown remembered for Joe Carter's walk-off homer off Mitch Williams in the venue previously known as SkyDome. A repeat matchup is highly unlikely, but Friday night's series opener did mark the second time within the past week that the two teams have hooked up. In Toronto, all eyes were on Jordan Romano when he made his return. Read More As it turned out, Romano gave up the walk-off hit to Kirk, his former battery mate, in the Jays' 2-1 win. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In Philadelphia, all the attention was on Jeff Hoffman making his return. The two closers weren't traded for each other, but they did trade places in free agency. Each was given a video tribute. When the two teams met in Toronto, the Jays took two of three games to earn the series win. Since they last met, the Jays have risen, while the Phillies have fallen, losers of four of their past six games entering the night. In Toronto, the series ushered in the return of star first baseman Bryce Harper. When the Jays opened their series at Citizens Bank Park, Turner was on the injured list (wrist). 3. Heat check Gausman needed 26 pitches to get out of the first inning, which featured no runs being surrendered, but it was far from routine from a veteran who threw a season-high 104 pitches in his most recent start. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Against the Phillies, his fastball touched 97.4 mph in the first. Gausman's trademark splitter was quite effective. Nonetheless, it was a stressful start for the hurler. In Buffalo, veteran Max Scherzer started for the Triple-A Bisons as the right-hander forges a potential path back to the big leagues. Scherzer's time with the Blue Jays encompasses a total of three innings when he made his debut in the opening home series against Baltimore. In the first inning for the Bisons, Scherzer's velocity on his heater averaged 93.6 mph. His velo did drop as Scherzer averaged 91.9 in his 4.1-inning outing. The Jays now wait to see how Scherzer's troublesome thumb feels Saturday. Troublesome pretty much summed up Gausman's second inning when he allowed four runs, including a three-run homer to Kyle Schwarber. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. His first three-up, three-down inning came in the fourth. Gausman threw 95 pitches in his five-inning outing. He was clearly outpitched by Suarez and doomed by the four-run second inning. Up next Bowden Francis is scheduled to make his 14th start of the season and potentially his last if he isn't able to show any signs of improvement following a dreadful stretch that would, under normal circumstances, prompt a demotion to the minors; team options are slim and the right-hander finds himself on thin ice; in his past two starts, Francis has pitched a combined 5 innings, yielding 10 earned runs and surrendering four homers; the Phillies will have LHP Cristopher Sanchez (5-2, 3.10 ERA) on the mound for the 4:05 p.m. first pitch. Toronto & GTA World Golf Celebrity Canada
National Post
14-06-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Blue Jays revert to offensively-challenged ways in dropping series opener to host Phillies
The Blue Jays received no affection from the City of Brotherly Love. Article content Instead, they got a look at the team they used to be when runs were scarce and extra-base hits even scarcer. Article content Article content They have been playing well and how they respond to Friday night's 8-0 loss to the host Philadelphia Phillies will provide a deeper glimpse into how this team has evolved. Article content The Jays have not lost two games in a row since that embarrassing three-game sweep in Tampa last month when the visitors scored a combined two runs. Article content Article content The following are three takeaways on a night Kevin Gausman issued a free pass to lead off the third inning, his fourth walk of the game, as a few borderline calls went against him. Gausman's season-high for walks in a single game is five. Article content 1. High five Article content Entering Friday night, the Jays had gone 5-1. Article content While they have feasted on left-handers, Ranger Suarez had the Jays on their heels. Article content Article content Suarez was in control, yielding three hits through six innings, which included an infield hit. Article content Two of those base knocks were to Alejandro Kirk, who is as hot as any hitter. Article content Through six innings, Suarez struck out six. Article content A big reason for Toronto's recent surge has been tied to its offence, helping the Jays improve their record to 38-30 entering Friday. Article content Good pitching, it's been said, often beats good hitting. Article content He gave up his fourth hit when Ernie Clement reached base on a one-out single in the seventh inning. Article content Article content He allowed the Jays to get their first runner in scoring position following a two-out walk to Davis Schneider, who reached base on a fifth-inning single. Article content
National Post
12-06-2025
- Sport
- National Post
As Blue Jays continue to surge, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hasn't kept pace
The good times keep rolling for the Blue Jays, a team many felt would be rolled over when its offence was rendered completely inept. Article content As they enjoy an off day before a three-game series in Philadelphia awaits — beginning with Friday night's 6:45 p.m. first pitch — it's worth noting how this run of edge-of-your-seats entertainment started on May 28 in Arlington, Tex. Article content Article content Article content The evening began with Bo Bichette out of the starting lineup because of back tightness. Article content It would end with Bichette used as a pinch-hitter with one out in the ninth inning in a 0-0 game. Article content He went deep for a two-run blast to give the Jays a 2-0 win on a night when five pitchers combined on a one-hitter. Article content Article content That moment would help catapult the Jays to their four-game sweep of the Athletics, help ignite a 2-1 series win over the Phillies and serve as the impetus for the team's current 5-1 trip. Article content Since that night in Texas, the Jays have gone 11-2. Article content The team's pitching has held up, despite Bowden Francis' struggles, closer Jeff Hoffman being so prone to serving up longballs and the absence of a bonafide starter outside of the Big 3 of Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt and Kevin Gausman. Article content Alejandro Kirk suddenly has emerged as the team MVP. Addison Barger has the earmarks of a major-league thumper and George Springer's renaissance seems real. Article content The list goes on, which includes Ernie Clement and the remaining unheralded cast that has taken turns in stepping up in big moments. Article content Article content But still, no one is quite sure if this streak is sustainable. Article content 'Every time we get punched in the mouth, we punch right back,'' Clement told reporters following Wednesday's win in St. Louis. 'That's just so exciting when (opponents) score a run and you score two. It's the most fun we've had as a group this year and in past years.' Article content While no one can argue with anything Clement had to say, there nonetheless are some matters that have to be corrected. Article content Pitching is right at the top because no team can sustain what is, in effect, a three-man starting staff. Article content When Francis is scheduled to make the start Saturday, it will loom as his biggest during his brief big-league career. The Jays have survived, in fact they've thrived, on bullpen days, but no one believes this can be a long-term solution.
Toronto Sun
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Surging Blue Jays beat host Cardinals to move season-high 7 games above .500
Andrés Giménez #0 of the Toronto Blue Jays hits a three-run home run against the St. Louis Cardinals on Blue Jays have ventured into rarefied air, occupying a space not many expected when the team's offence was virtually non-existent earlier in the season. 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 How times have changed … and how the team's fortunes have dramatically taken a sudden turn. Following Tuesday's 10-9 victory over the host St. Louis Cardinals that assured the Jays their fifth successive series win, the club climbed seven games above .500 (37-30) for the first time this season. Seventh heaven has a nice ring to it. Mind you, it got pretty hellish in the late innings when Toronto's bullpen nearly blew it. Here are three takeaways on a night the hot-hitting Alejandro Kirk kept up his prowess at the plate by going deep for the second time in as many games, and when relievers Chad Green and Jeff Hoffman each gave up homers on their respective first pitches. Read More 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. One of these days, the Jays' top of the rotation will need some kind of infusion of big-league talent. Until that day arrives, and it won't happen anytime soon, Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt and Kevin Gausman need to be on point. Berrios got the ball rolling in the series opener. Bassitt picked up where Berrios left off in Tuesday's outing, at least through the opening three innings. Given a 4-0 advantage when he faced the Cards in the home half of the fourth inning, Bassitt faced his first real stressful situation as St. Louis had runners on the corner with one out. A long single scored the Cards' first run. A home run into the seats in right field scored three as the game was suddenly tied. Bassitt was labouring in an inning that featured four hits yielded and a hit batter. After the Jays regained the lead in a two-run fifth inning, Bassitt retired the Cards in order in the bottom half. Another clean inning followed. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. For the first time this season, Bassitt produced back-to-back starts of throwing seven complete innings. Toronto's Big 3 is clearly living up to the billing. 2. Captain Clutch Whether the situation involves two strikes in the count or two outs, Kirk has been among the very best in the bigs. When a late-game hit with so much at stake is required, Kirk often comes through in dramatic fashion. And to think there were those who were taken aback when the club locked in Kirk through the 2030 season. His five-year deal worth US $58 million, which kicks in next season, now seems like a steal. You could argue Kirk will be underpaid if he's able to keep up this current pace of excellence, especially when compared to a certain $500-million teammate who hasn't had nearly as many moments this season than Kirk. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It's been go so well for Kirk that any ball off his bat is liable to find a hole. Such was the case in his first at-bat off Cards starter Miles Mikolas when a softly hit ball landed in no-man's land in shallow centre field. There was nothing soft about the ball Kirk sent deep into the seats in the seventh inning, a two-run blast to give him six hits in two games. Hit No. 7 came with out in the ninth inning on a single. Time to book his spot in this year's all-star game. 3. Andres the giant His days with the Blue Jays began with a bang when Andres Gimenez went deep three times within a five-game span to surprisingly seize the club lead in homers. He then endured a very tough stretch that culminated with a stint on the injured list. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Since his return, Gimenez has played his customary stellar defence at second base. At the plate, his ability to lay down a bunt is clinical, and he even produced hits out of the ninth hole. Tuesday, he moved up in the order and made an immediate presence by launching a three-run homer to give the Jays a very early 3-0 lead. Don't expect Gimenez to hit fifth in the order, but he should be moved up during times when he is making solid contact, which he has been of late. Gimenez's blast was his first belt since March 31. Gimenez knocked in the Jays' ninth run to give him a four-RBI night. He entered the game with 10 RBI on the season. Toronto's lineup did have a different look in the wake of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s scheduled day off and the last-minute removal of Nathan Lukes (neck discomfort). Enter Alan Roden. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Roden knocked in a run on an opposite-field single in the fourth to give the Jays a 4-0 lead. Toronto's outfield featured Myles Straw in centre field, Roden in right and Jonatan Clase in left. Clase received a smattering of boos in his first plate appearance, a sure sign the kid is coming of age. Fans were fully aware of Clase's critical home run in the ninth inning one night earlier that tied the game to set the stage for the Jays' extra-innings win. 'He's just dripping with potential,'' manager John Schneider would remark. Up next Series finale will feature a combination of Eric Lauer and Spencer Turnbull with the exact pitching order yet to be determined; observers of the Blue Jays have seen Lauer and should be familiar with his ability to get outs, albeit in a brief window; Turnbull has been around the baseball block, but he has never appeared in a game for the Blue Jays; in his last appearance in the minors, he didn't overwhelm anyone; Wednesday's 2:15 p.m. first pitch features Cards LHP Matthew Liberatore (3-5, 3.82 ERA). NHL Columnists Toronto Blue Jays Editorial Cartoons Toronto Maple Leafs
