When will this team start playing to its potential?
On Friday evening, the Blue Jays started a series in Oakland against the soon-to-be Vegas Athletics, falling 2-1. This loss brings their record to 30-33, one of their worst losses of the season.
The first run of the game was scored in the bottom of the sixth, as a wild pitch from starter Chris Bassitt allowed Max Scheumann to score, making it a 1-0 game.
However, the Blue Jays answered right back in the top of the seventh, as Bo Bichette drove in the only Blue Jays run of the game, solid game all around for the shortstop.
Bichette ties the game with an RBI single! 👏 pic.twitter.com/HF3bJzq0yN
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 8, 2024
The Athletics’ JJ Bleday hit a home run, his ninth of the season, in the bottom of the ninth to walk off the Blue Jays. Not really much to this one, these bats really need to get going soon.
JJ just needed one pitch 👀🚀 pic.twitter.com/1WgCNfCo53
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) June 8, 2024
Things worth mentioning…
Chris Bassitt gave them every chance in the world to win that game, as he finished with a line of 8 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K to bring his season ERA to 3.80. A starter going eight innings deep should be a win.
What an outing by Chris Bassitt who went eight innings allowing just one run, four hits with seven strikeouts! 🐶 pic.twitter.com/0BTka9VBWp
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 8, 2024
Chad Green gave up an earned run, the JJ Bleday home run, while not recording an out. His ERA went from 1.50 prior to the outing to 2.25. Still, a really good season when he’s been healthy.
It’s now been 29 games straight without the Blue Jays scoring a run in the first inning. They are now just two games shy of tying the record of 31 straight games. At this point, I kind of want it to happen.
The #BlueJays have not scored in the first inning for 29 consecutive games.
They are now within two games of tying the all-time MLB record of 31. History nears.
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) June 8, 2024
Spencer Horwitz was called up prior to the game, yet he didn’t appear in the lineup. My hope is that this is just a case of jet lag from flying across the country, rather than the Jays stapling him to the bench despite the call up. He needs to play every day.
Bo Bichette had a solid game, hitting two singles and driving in Toronto’s only run. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had the team’s only extra-base hit, his 11th double of the season. Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Kevin Kiermaier each had singles, the latter being thrown out trying to extend it to a double. Alejandro Kirk drew a walk and also reached on a hit by pitch.
Up next: The Blue Jays will look to avoid losing their second straight series, as they’ll play the Athletics in the second of three games on Saturday at 4:07 PM ET.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.
