Blue Jays' Late Power Surge Not Enough In Canada Day Loss

TORONTO – For the last two seasons, a battle of home runs usually meant a Blue Jays’ victory.

In 2021, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Marcus Semien terrorized pitchers. In ’22, Matt Chapman joined the crew, slotting in behind Guerrero and mustering 27 dingers. Toronto has tumbled in the home run category this season

But that doesn’t mean things can’t change. The power is there. In Saturday's 7-6 loss, the Blue Jays cranked it up. 

George Springer did the honors first. Like most Blue Jays hitters, he’s had a down year, but every once in a while, lightning strikes. The 33-year-old riled up the Canada Day faithful with another leadoff homer, his 12th blast of the season.

With the Blue Jays bats in low-power mode lately, that initial tally was massive. The Red Sox answered back – Rafael Devers hit a two-run shot in the third – but Springer’s longball helped everyone relax. Toronto proved it could get to Boston starter Kutter Crawford; the lineup just needed more time to cook.

Even as the Blue Jays fell further behind — Yusei Kikuchi allowed five runs, his worst start since May 24 — and the temperature rose to sticky hot levels, Toronto kept to its approach. 

Eventually, the Blue Jays broke through again. Bo Bichette scooped a low curveball from Crawford and launched it into the left-field seats for a third-inning equalizer. 

Boston potted three runs in the fifth, chasing Blue Jays starter Yusei Kikuchi, and scored once more in the sixth. The game looked finished at that point, but Toronto hung around. Matt Chapman bashed a two-run home run in the eighth inning and the Blue Jays even moved the tying run to third base.

In the end, the Jays fell inches short. Cavan Biggio roasted a line drive that barely skipped foul of the right-field chalk. He struck out swinging one pitch later.

Again, the Blue Jays battled in the ninth. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. roasted an RBI single but Bo Bichette blew through a stop sign and was cut down at the plate for the final out of the game. 

Toronto has now lost all six games against Boston this season. 

These games against the Red Sox are where the Jays are supposed to climb up the AL East standings, not tumble further down. After Saturday, Toronto dropped to 7-19 against divisional opponents. Until that trend changes or the bats and arms sync up, the Blue Jays won't maintain any kind of comfortable grip on a postseason slot.