(Toronto) A short three-game losing streak has slipped the Toronto Blue Jays out of the playoff picture in the highly competitive American League, but the team isn’t too worried.
A productive double by Christopher Morel in the ninth inning broke the tie and the Chicago Cubs won 5-4 on Saturday.
Blue Jays (65-54) starter Chris Bassitt, however, said he doesn’t care about the standings at this point in the season.
“It never works when you look at the board or the leaderboard. It never works, repeated Bassitt, who gave up four runs, four hits to safety and two walks in six innings. Talking about another team never works, so don’t worry about anyone but yourself. »
The Blue Jays slipped behind the Seattle Mariners in the race for teams drafted in the American before they host the Baltimore Orioles in the evening.
“There’s a lot of baseball left to play and we’ve been through that before,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. I think we’re playing well after a 5-2 trip and a tight game [Saturday] and an ordinary outing [Friday].
“It’s not worrying at all. We still have plenty of time. »
Dansby Swanson hit a three-run homer in the fourth to give the Cubs a 61-56 lead after a Cody Bellinger single tied the game 1-1.
A two-run long ball from Whit Merrifield helped the Blue Jays close the gap in the fifth. A single from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and a double from Santiago Espinal also produced runs.
Justin Steele struck out seven batters but allowed three runs and six hits in five innings. Relievers Michael Fulmer, Mark Leiter Jr., Jose Cuas, Julian Merryweather (4-0) and Adbert Alzolay succeeded him on the mound.
Blue Jays rookie Davis Schneider received a standing ovation from the 42,585 people gathered at the Rogers Centre. He was recalled from the minor leagues on August 4 and made his Boston debut against the Red Sox. He maintained an excellent batting average of .409 during this trip.
Saturday’s game was his first ever in Toronto. Before he debuted, he hinted that he wasn’t expecting anything in particular.
“The fans have been really, really, really nice to me so far,” he said. I see them on the street and sometimes they ask for autographs and photos.
“It’s crazy for me because I’m from a small town in New Jersey. I did not expect that. »
Merrifield closed the gap in fifth with his 11th home run of the season. Espinal preceded him to home plate.
Espinal tied the game the next inning when his shot bounced off the ground before going over the center field fence for a double. Schneider scored on the streak, having reached second base on his first career hit in Toronto.
Bellinger started the ninth with a double. Morel then hit a double to push him towards the plate.
The Blue Jays will try to avoid the sweep on Sunday in Game 3 of this series. Hyun Jin Ryu (0-1) should be on the mound, as will Jameson Taillon (7-6) for the Cubs.
Prior to Saturday’s game, Jose Bautista was honored by the Blue Jays by adding his name to the team’s Ring of Honor.