(Toronto) A short three-game losing streak has knocked the Toronto Blue Jays out of playoff contention in the highly competitive American League, but the team isn’t too worried.
A productive Christopher Morel double in the ninth inning broke the tie, and the Chicago Cubs won 5–4 on Saturday.
Blue Jays starter (65-54) Chris Bassitt, however, said he doesn’t care about rankings at this point in the season.
“It never works when you look at the table or the standings. It never works, repeated Bassitt, who has given up four runs, four hits to safety and two walks in six innings. Talking about another team never works, so don’t worry about anyone but yourself. »
The Blue Jays trailed the Seattle Mariners in the race for teams drafted in the American before the latter hosted the Baltimore Orioles in the evening.
“There’s still a lot of baseball to play and we’ve been through this before,” said Blue Jays manager John Schneider. I think we’re playing well after a 5-2 trip and a tight game [samedi] and a normal output [vendredi].
“It’s nothing to worry about. We still have a lot of time. »
Dansby Swanson hit a three-run homer in the fourth to give the Cubs a 61-56 lead after a Cody Bellinger single tied the game 1-1.
A two-run long ball by Whit Merrifield helped the Blue Jays close the gap in the fifth. A single by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and a double by Santiago Espinal also produced runs.
Justin Steele struck out seven batters, but allowed three runs and six hits in five innings. Relievers Michael Fulmer, Mark Leiter Jr., Jose Cuas, Julian Merryweather (4-0) and Adbert Alzolay succeeded him on the mound.
Blue Jays rookie Davis Schneider received a standing ovation from the 42,585 people gathered at the Rogers Centre. He was recalled from the minor leagues on August 4 and made his Boston debut against the Red Sox. He maintained an outstanding . 409 batting average during this trip.
Saturday’s game was the first in Toronto. Before starting, he hinted that he didn’t expect anything in particular.
“The fans have been really, really, really nice to me so far,” he said. I see them on the street and sometimes they ask for autographs and photos.
“It’s crazy to me because I come from a small town in New Jersey. I didn’t expect that. »
Merrifield closed the gap in fifth with his 11It is season route. Espinal preceded him to home plate.
Espinal tied the game the next inning when his kick bounced off the ground before going over the center field fence for a double. Schneider scored in the streak after reaching second base on his first career hit in Toronto.
Bellinger started the ninth with a double. Morel then hit a double to push him towards the plate.
The Blue Jays will try to avoid the sweep on Sunday in Game 3 of this series. Hyun Jin Ryu (0-1) should be on the mound, as well as Jameson Taillon (7-6) for the Cubs.
Prior to Saturday’s game, José Bautista was honored by the Blue Jays by adding his name to the team’s Ring of Honor.
