Hoffman walked off as Blue Jays drop another winnable game to Angels
Struggling to hit homers and taxing the bullpen every night is not the way the Blue Jays want to do things. But as Wednesday’s loss to the Angels showed, understanding the need for change is one thing, and implementing it is another.
ANAHEIM, Calif. — In theory, everyone agrees.
Struggling to hit homers and taxing the bullpen every night is not the way anyone wants to do things. Manager John Schneider knows it, the Toronto Blue Jays’ hitters know it and the relievers certainly do, too.
Yet as their latest game against the Los Angeles Angels showed, understanding the need for change is one thing, and implementing it is another. Eventually, the Blue Jays might find new ways to win — doing so is likely essential if they’re going to contend — but another tense game unfolded this time until Jorge Soler cleared the bases with a ninth-inning double to walk off Jeff Hoffman and give the Angels a 5-4 win.
Jose Berrios pitched well, two bunt hits contributed to a three-run rally in the seventh and Yariel Rodriguez and Brendon Little did their part, but the Blue Jays still fell to 16-20 on the season as they lost a game that was entirely winnable.
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Speaking before Wednesday’s game, Schneider agreed that the Blue Jays need to find ways to rely less on their relievers, especially the trio of Hoffman, Little and Yimi García. As for the solution to that problem: home runs? More relievers earning trust?
“Both,” said manager John Schneider. “The solution is either home runs or situational hitting: adding home runs when you can, or getting guys in. And having other (relievers) too that are going to get a chance. You need everyone. I feel like we’ve been one square wheel here the whole year, so you need to have the offence go first and foremost, then you need other (relievers) to make good pitches when they’re in there.”
On a night the Blue Jays failed to add to their MLB-trailing total of 25 home runs, most of their offence came from small ball. With the game tied at one in the seventh, Andrés Giménez bunted Ernie Clement to third with a base hit. It was a close play, and Giménez later left the game with a precaution due to quad soreness, but the base hit set up a Myles Straw single to give the Blue Jays the lead.
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After another bunt hit from Jonatan Clase, Bo Bichette drove in two with a single to left, giving the Blue Jays a 4-1 lead.
Earlier in the game, a compelling pitching duel unfolded between Berrios and one of his former teammates. For the Blue Jays, Berrios allowed just two runs — homers by Yoan Moncada and Kyren Paris — in six-plus innings of work. While he walked five and balked for just the second time as a Blue Jay, his nine strikeouts helped him escape trouble in the first and fifth.
Pitching opposite Berrios was Yusei Kikuchi, who was facing the Blue Jays for the first time since they traded him last summer. He matched Berrios with six strong innings, striking out six while allowing just one run on five hits with one walk.
But Hoffman allowed three runs for the second time in as many nights, allowing the Angels back in and leading to more pain for the Blue Jays.
