No matter how many opportunities this team gets to take control of a game, they always seem to fold.
In a game where the Blue Jays had SO MANY opportunities early and late in the game offensively, they were unable to break through against the Mets pitching and their bullpen had yet another meltdown in the 6th, leading to a series loss.
Let’s break it down.
Missed Opportunities
Sometimes it shocks me that this team has the highest batting average in the league with runners in scoring position.
In the first 4 innings of Sunday afternoon’s game, the Blue Jays hit 3 lead off doubles, and none of them even advanced to third. Through 4 innings, they were 0-8 with runners in scoring position.
In the first inning, George Springer hit a lead off double to start the game, further cementing his role in the lead off spot, but he was thrown out trying to steal third with all-star Marcus Semien at the plate. Not quite sure what he was thinking there.
In the 3rd and the 4th they got two more lead off doubles, but the next 3 hitters of those innings were retired with ease.
It wasn’t until the 6th that the Jays were finally able to break through, getting a 2-run single from Bo Bichette to take a 2-1 lead, showing off his elite 2-strike approach on a tough slider from Seth Lugo.
After an RBI fielders’ choice from Randal Grichuk to extend the lead to 3-1, the Jays had 3 more chances with runners in scoring position in that inning to add to their lead, and they were retired three times in a row. One inning later, they were down again 5-3.
In the 8th, the Jays had another opportunity, putting together three straight hits to get themselves within 1, and had the bases loaded with 1 out for catcher Alejandro Kirk, who already had two hits on the day. He and Biggio popped out to end the inning.
In the 9th, with Bo Bichette at the plate, the guy who had 2 of the Jays’ 3 hits with runners in scoring position, Guerrero Jr advanced to second on a wild pitch, and Bo had a chance to tie the game in the 9th with 2 outs. He struck out in a full count.
The Jays ended the game going 3-19 with runners in scoring position, and the theme of not being able to win close games continued to show itself.
I don’t believe clutch is a repeatable skill, I really don’t, but despite having the number 1 batting average in the league with runners in scoring position, they are 28th in the league in the 7th inning or later. No wonder they can’t win any close games. They stop hitting when it really matters. It’s the reason why a team like the Seattle Mariners, a team with a -53 run differential, is currently 8 games over .500, 2.5 games ahead of the Jays in the wild card standings.
I don’t know how you fix this, in fact, I don’t think you can, but this team needs to start putting together some big hits when it really matters.
A Bullpen Meltdown
Ross Stripling had a very nice bounceback outing in this game, throwing 5 innings of 1-run ball, striking out 6.
Outside of a shaky 2nd inning, I thought Stripling was doing a great job of showing the Mets hitter all his pitches, and throwing them for quality strikes, especially his changeup and slider.
Unfortunately, because of the stupid national league rules, he had to be taken out after 5, and all hell broke loose.
Ryan Borucki was tasked with getting through the 6th inning, and right from the first few pitches, you could tell he wasn’t right.
After getting the first out, Borucki walked Michael Conforto, a guy who’s walking on the Mendoza line this year, to bring up Pete Alonso, who hit a home run off Borucki just a couple of days ago.
Could you guess what happened?
Borucki hasn’t looked right since coming back from injury. His fastball doesn’t have as much zip to it, and his breaking pitches are either catching too much of the strike zone, or are missing it completely.
After getting the next hitter out, Borucki was removed from the game for Jacob Barnes, who was tasked with getting the final out of the inning.
He proceeded to give up a single, a walk, and a double to give the Mets a 5-3 lead in the 6th. Just pathetic stuff.
As you already know, that inning is what made the difference, as the Jays would fall to the Mets 5-4.
Some Final Thoughts
*more internal screaming*
So many times this season it’s felt like the Jays were hitting rock bottom. This game especially hurts since we’re fastly approaching the trade deadline and the team is not doing much to convince the front office to do anything at the deadline.
They have another HUGE series coming up against the Boston Red Sox, a team they have struggled immensely against all season.
Despite losing 2 of 3 to the Mets, the Jays only sit 4 games out of the second wild card spot and desperately need to go on a run soon if they want to salvage this season.
I feel like I’m saying this in every post-game recap these days, but it’s time to flip the script, for real this time.