The Toronto Blue Jays blew a 6-0 lead, giving up 11 runs as they dropped the series finale to the Cincinnati Reds in a devastating 11-7 loss.
Yariel Rodriguez (1-5, 3.93) took the mound for the Blue Jays, facing Nick Martinez (6-6, 3.25) for the Reds. Rodriguez hurled 4 1/3 innings, allowing five runs on six hits, walking two and striking out six. Martinez had a similar night, also lasting 4 1/3 innings, allowing six runs over six hits, walking three and striking out three. Both pitchers left with no-decisions.
The Blue Jays pounced on Martinez early, getting on the board in the 1st inning. George Springer lead off the bottom half of the inning with a solo shot, giving Toronto a quick 1-0 lead. The leadoff homer was Springer’s 60th of his career, making him just the second player in MLB history to do so, only behind the great Rickey Henderson. Spencer Horwitz then gave the fans more to cheer about with a home run of his own, a two run shot to extend the Blue Jays’ lead to 3-0.
Later, in the bottom of the 3rd, the Blue Jays added more runs when Ernie Clement blasted a three run homer to double the Toronto lead to 6-0.
The Reds would start to get things rolling soon after. Spencer Steer’s two run shot cut the lead to 6-2 in the top half of the 4th.
Cincy would then shock the Blue Jays, completing the six run comeback in the top of the 5th. The Reds threatened with two on and one out, when Jonathan India singled home one run to make it 6-3. Another single, this time by speedster Elly De La Cruz would make it a 6-5 game. Tyler Stephenson would then ground into a fielder’s choice to push the tying run across for a brand new ball game. Former Blue Jay Santiago Espinal would then walk with the bases loaded to give the Reds a 7-6 lead.
The Reds however, would not stop, pouring on more runs in the top half of the 6th. Noelvi Marte and India lead off the inning with back to back solo shots to give Cincinnati a 9-6 lead. Stephenson would then give the Reds a 10-6 lead with an RBI double.
The Reds scored one more run in the top of the 8th when Cruz lead off the inning with a solo homer, extending the Cincinnati lead to 11-6.
The Blue Jays would get one run back in the bottom of the 9th when Leo Jimenez drove in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to make it 11-7.
Toronto will look to bounce back as they host the Los Angeles Angels for a four game series of their own. The Blue Jays have not yet announced a starter for the opener of their series against L.A. as they have pushed back all their starters by one day, on the other hand, Griffin Canning (4-11, 5.48) will start for the Angels in game one on Thursday night.
