The Blue Jays four-consecutive series win streak has come to an end.
On Wednesday evening, the team played the third of four games against the Kansas City Royals, falling 3-2 to the American League Central team, bringing their record to 13-12.
The Royals jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, as Salvador Pérez hit an RBI single to score Bobby Witt Jr. Thankfully, there were two runners left on the bases.
Salvy drives in Bobby for an early 1-0 lead! pic.twitter.com/LFpMqvDh89
— Royals Daily (@RoyalsDaily_) April 24, 2024
In the bottom of the second, the Royals expanded that lead to 2-0, as Mikael Garcia singled, driving in Kyle Isbel. Thankfully, George Springer got the Blue Jays on the board with his third home run of the season, which was also the first home run since the opening series.
On the board with a #SpringerDinger! pic.twitter.com/XzYtSu7UAQ
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 25, 2024
The two teams traded runs, with the Royals scoring with a Witt Jr. in the bottom of the fifth, while Ernie Clement hit a ground out RBI with runners on second and third, giving us the final score, 3-2.
Things worth mentioning…
Daulton Varsho once again had a great game, surprise, surprise. He walked twice and then reached on an infield single, before striking out in his final plate appearances. Pitchers are scared to pitch to him, and he’s easily been the Jays’ best player this season. He also made a great catch in centre field, as per usual.
This is one of those plays that Daulton Varsho makes look way easier than it actually was.
*5% catch probability
*Jump 10 feet better than league averageGive this man a gold glove. pic.twitter.com/RGM1GF624o
— Chris Black (@DownToBlack) April 25, 2024
Yariel Rodríguez made his third start as a Blue Jay, finishing with a line of 4 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K to bring his season ERA to 3.86. Props to Génesis Cabrera for getting three outs with two runners on.
George Springer had his second straight multi-hit game, going 2-4 with a home run. He hasn’t looked great this season, but let’s hope that this is the turnaround that he and the team needs.
Addison Barger made his first-ever start in a non-Spring Training game in left field… and it showed. The first ball that was hit out there, he was all twisted around and missed the catch, which is to be expected really. He redeemed himself later in the game with a nice catch.
The first fly ball hit to Barger… #BlueJays pic.twitter.com/Ec0GLa5ebj
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) April 25, 2024
Up next: While the Jays can’t win the series on Thursday, they’ll be able to tie it with a win. That game will start at 2:10 PM ET, with ace José Berríos on the mound for the Jays. He’ll be opposed by Cole Ragans, who hilariously threw three straight wild pitches last season.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.