Blue Jays suffer fourth loss in row following walk-off defeat to host L.A. Angels

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The Blue Jays continue to find ways to beat themselves.

A late-game embarrassment led to a Tuesday night loss in Anaheim to the host L.A. Angels.

Then came Wednesday’s gut-punch when closer Jeff Hoffman gave up a leadoff walk to begin the ninth in a 4-2 win followed by two back-to-back singles, one night after surrendering two home runs in a nine-pitch inning.

The Jays would lose the game, their fourth in a row that dropped Toronto’s record to four games under .500, when Jonatan Clase, who was called up earlier in the day, misplayed a ball in left field as the Angels fashioned an improbable 5-4 win.

Once again, the Jays’ bullpen imploded.

Once again, Toronto’s feeble lineup couldn’t produce any add-on runs when opportunity knocked.

And once again, the Jays were outhomered, 2-0.

The following are three takeaways on a night of heartache compounded by the loss of Andres Gimenez, who would leave the game for precautionary reasons, per the team, because of right quad tightness.

1. Yusei what?

The Blue Jays opposed former teammate Yusei Kikuchi for the first time, a popular pitcher whom the franchise traded to Houston during last year’s trade deadline for three players.

Of the three, only Will Wagner was on this year’s opening day roster. Jake Bloss and Joey Loperfido were the two other prospects the Jays acquired from the Astros.

Kikuchi entered Wednesday’s start sporting an 0-4 record.

Until the Jays are able to make some change of consequence, if one is even possible, they’ll continue to tinker around the edges.

The latest moves saw OF Alan Roden, who was on the opening day roster, optioned to Buffalo as was right-handed relief pitcher Dillon Tate.

Wednesday’s roster activity would see OF Steward Berroa DFAed with OF Jonatan Clase and righty reliever Braydon Fisher called up to the big-league team.

Clase started in left field and hit ninth in the order.

2. Jose what you will

With Jose Berrios opposing Kikuchi, it did evoke memories of the Jays’ visit to Minneapolis back in early October two years ago in an AL wild card meeting.

Berrios pitched three scoreless innings.

When the fourth inning began, it was Kikuchi on the mound, prompting outrage and astonishment.

For obvious reasons, the stakes were nowhere near as high Wednesday night in a fascinating mound matchup when each pitched well.

Kikuchi entered the game looking for his first win with the Angels, who had lost six of the left-hander’s seven starts.

He remains winless after earning a no-decision, even though his team would win for the first time with Kikuchi as its starter.

Both Berrios and Kikuchi went 6.0 innings, the two combining to record 15 strikeouts, including a season-high nine by Berrios.

In eight starts, Berrios has given up eight home runs, including two solo belts Wednesday.

3. Bo’s beleaguered bat

Bo Bichette went 0-for-5, while striking out once in Tuesday’s embarrassing 8-3 loss.

In his first at-bat Wednesday, Bichette struck out to give him 26 on the season.

He entered the night having struck out six times in his past five games.

His aggressive approach at the plate is one thing, but the very definition of a leadoff hitter is to set the table, which is only achieved by getting on base.

Toronto’s top of the order did account for the game’s first run when Anthony Santander knocked in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the top of the sixth to end the team’s 0-10 streak with runners in scoring position.

The Jays needed two hits to score one run, while the Angles required one hit, a Yoan Moncada homer, to tie the game, his second long ball in as many nights.

Bichette did come through by sending a two-run single into left field to give the Jays a 4-1 lead.

Up next

Toronto’s stay at Angel Stadium wraps up Thursday night with RHP Chris Bassitt (2-2, 2.95 ERA) hoping to regain his early season form when he gave up two earned runs in his first four starts; in his past three starts, Bassitt has given up 11 earned runs, including four combined home runs in his past two outings; Toronto needs a solid outing by Bassitt to avoid getting swept.