After having four days off to rest, well, except for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the Toronto Blue Jays hoped to use that rest well and build some positive momentum against the Detroit Tigers.
Toronto’s rotation shifted around with the off days, ss getting the nod to start tonight was Chris Bassitt. The long ball was an issue tonight for the RHP, where in 6.2 innings, he allowed four earned runs on two home runs from Mark Canha and Wenceel Pérez.
Bassitt also gave up an RBI single to 2024 All-Star Riley Greene as Detroit took a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning.
Speaking of all-stars, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. put Toronto back within one run in the sixth inning, blasting a two-run homer of his own, cutting Detroit’s lead 3-2.
Guerrero Jr. now has four hits in the last nine at-bats in two MLB games after going hitless in the All-Star game. Jack Flaherty, Tigers SP, only allowed two earned runs in 5.2 innings and struck out eight Jays batters.
In 12.0 innings against Toronto this year, Flaherty has struck out 17 batters and is 9th in MLB in strikeouts on the year (127).
After Pérez blasted a two-run homer to make it 5-2 Detroit, Bassitt was taken out, giving up seven hits on five earned runs. Bassitt has had a rough month of July, with a 12.00 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP in that span.
Toronto would once again answer with another home run, this time by George Springer to cut the lead down to one again in the eighth inning.
Toronto’s bullpen also stayed in check for the second straight, allowing no runs over the last 7.2 innings, a great sign for the ballclub.
Unfortunately, not only did Toronto lose the game, but Bo Bichette is dealing with a calf strain injury again. Bichette came out of the game after running out of the box during an at-bat and, according to John Schneider, will be undergoing an MRI.
Bichette hadn’t played since July 10th and likely will go on the injured list, considering Toronto had to carry him on the roster for four straight games previously without playing.
Jays relievers Yimi Garcia and Erik Swanson were also added to the roster before today’s game, and Zach Pop was optioned to Triple-A. Toronto will send potential SP trade candidate Yusei Kikuchi to the mound tomorrow.
