A crucial throwing error by Addison Barger set up the walk-off for Sean Murphy as the Toronto Blue Jays fell to the Atlanta Braves, 4-3 in 11 innings.
Yariel Rodriguez (1-6, 4.61) took the ball for the Blue Jays while Chris Sale (16-3, 2.46) did so for the Braves. Rodriguez gave a solid effort, tossing 5 innings, allowing one run on just two hits, walking one and punching out six. Sale put together a slightly better outing, throwing 6 innings of shutout ball, allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out seven. Both pitchers were handed no decisions as the game went into extra innings.
The Braves struck first, taking a 1-0 lead with a solo shot from Jarred Kelenic in the 2nd inning.
The score stayed the same until the top half of the 8th inning. Spencer Horwitz stepped to the plate and hit a two-run shot to give the Blue Jays a 2-1 lead.
The Blue Jays looked to hold onto the lead but the Braves tied the game at two in the bottom of the 9th, thanks to a Matt Olson sacrifice fly.
George Springer broke the tie in the top of the 11th with an RBI single to give the Blue Jays a 3-2 lead.
The Jays looked to shut down the Braves with their new lead in the bottom half of the 11th, but unfortunately, they didn’t. The Braves threatened after a single from Eli White put runners on first and third with nobody out.
Adam Duvall then hit a ground ball to third, when a throwing error by Addison Barger allowed the tying run to cross the plate for the Braves. Olson was intentionally walked, and then Sean Murphy followed up with a ground ball, Leo Jimenez cut it off but his throw to the plate was not on time, allowing White to score the game-winning run for the Braves.
The Blue Jays will head home as they prepare to host the New York Mets for three games at home. Ryan Burr (0-1, 4.29) will serve as the opening pitcher for the Blue Jays with Ryan Yarborough (5-2, 3.59) to follow as a bulk reliever, while Tylor Megill (3-5, 4,95) will be given the start for the Mets on Monday night.
