Guardians turn tables on Blue Jays as Yimi Garcia gives up ninth-inning grand slam

Article content

The Blue Jays have been feasting on the long ball and stepping up in the most dramatic of moments, often in late-game situations.

On Saturday, however, they were on the opposite end when it came to heroics and drama.

One out from winning their fourth game in a row, on an afternoon when Bo Bichette hit his first homer since May of last year and Kevin Gausman tossed six shutout innings, ecstasy turned to agony for the sold-out Rogers Centre after the Cleveland Guardians rallied for a 5-3 win.

Yimi Garcia entered the ninth with the task of saving a 3-1 win. But he loaded the bases before yielding a grand slam to Daniel Schneemann, who one inning earlier took Chad Green deep on a solo blast.

Stunning would best describe the turn of events for a Blue Jays team accustomed recently to stepping up in clutch moments.

All of this will make for an interesting rubber match on Sunday as the Jays seek to regain .500 status.

1. Gausman of the hour

All eyes were on Kevin Gausman and how he would react following the disaster that was his previous outing when he was chased by the host New York Yankees, throwing 53 pitches in the third inning.

Against the Guardians, he had a 20-pitch first inning, a frame that would see the veteran right-hander issue one walk, while striking out two.

The first-inning free pass was the only walk Gausman surrendered in 6.0 complete innings. He was in control, location was ideal and near hittable as evidenced by the one hit he would give up on a day he recorded nine strikeouts.

2. D is key

The home run is fashionably back with the Blue Jays, but anyone who believes this can be sustainable is only fooling themselves. Then again, their approach at the plate might be a sign of good things to follow.

What stood out was Toronto’s defence, whether it was Vladimir Guerrero Jr. making a play by going to his right, even though Gimenez was properly positioned to make a much simpler play, or Ernie Clement at third.

In sports, defence travels and with the Jays off to the West Coast beginning with a three-game series Tuesday in Anaheim, being clean on defence is a must.

3. Fifth degree

On the same day the Jays announced the signings of free-agent pitchers Spencer Turnbull and Jose Urena, former Jay Ryan Yarbrough tossed a one-hitter over four innings for the Yankees.

The Jays don’t have a legitimate fifth starter and the next time the No. 5 starter comes around in the rotation will be Tuesday in Anaheim.

When Boston was in town earlier in the week, the Jays went with a bullpen day, which is never ideal.