Instant Reaction: Blue Jays went 1-7 with runners in scoring position, losing the rubber match to the Yankees

With a run already in from the Yankees, Giancarlo Stanton stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and gave the Yankees a 5-1 lead, all the scoring that they’d need in this game. It also ended Bowden Francis’ day.

The Jays added a few more runs in the top of the fifth and sixth, including a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. force out which scored a run, but the three runs were all they’d get in this game.

However, New York would score three more runs before the end of the game, one on a wild pitch, one on a single, and the last one on a sac fly.

Things worth mentioning…

Alejandro Kirk received a lot of unfair flak in this game. Sure, he allowed his third wild pitch and two runners stole on him, but he also walked twice and was one of only two players who reached base twice for the Jays. He isn’t perfect, but he’s started all but two games this season and clearly needs a break.

Bowden Francis cruised through the first two innings, but was roughed up in the third inning, walking three batters and giving up five earned runs. Still, he generated a ton of whiffs and struck out five. He’ll come around soon.

Trevor Richards has been terrific this season, pitching 5.2 innings and not giving up a single run. Moreover, he has a 36.4 K%, a 1.97 FIP, and even had a sub 10 BB% prior to the two walks he gave up in Sunday’s game. He finished with a line of 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, which is the definition of the Trevor Richards Experience™.

In total,  the Blue Jays had 11 strikeouts, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette both striking out once, Cavan Biggio, Ernie Clement, and Kevin Kiermaier striking out twice, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa striking out three times while also hitting a single.

Hitting with RISP continues to be a problem, as the Blue Jays were 1-7 with runners in scoring position, with two chances to score a few runs with the bases loaded. While Kirk walked with the bases loaded, a strikeout from Biggio and a pop-up from Kirk just isn’t good enough.

Changes need to be made, I don’t think this is a hot take. I’m fairly optimistic when it comes to baseball, but as it stands, this team and its bats just aren’t good enough. I don’t know what needs to be done, but something needs to change.

Up next: The Blue Jays return home to host the Seattle Mariners for a three-game series on Monday. José Berríos will toe the rubber against Luis Castillo, with George Kirby and Logan Gilbert in the next two games. It won’t get any easier.