All eyes were on the Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon at Baltimore's Oriole Park at Camden Yards, with many curious onlookers hoping to see how they would react after an epic meltdown the previous day. The game also marked the end of a grueling stretch of 17 games in 17 days for Toronto.
The stretch ended abruptly on an afternoon when the Jays looked and played like a team still reeling from Saturday's disaster. Following three straight one-run games, Sunday turned into a 9-5 blowout loss, the most runs surrendered by Toronto since a 14-2 defeat by the Dodgers in early April.
Strange Incident Involving Jesus Sanchez
The game took a bizarre turn in the sixth inning when starting right fielder Jesus Sanchez was forced to leave after being hit by a ball thrown from the stands. Sanchez was holding his right wrist as he was escorted off the field. A grainy video appeared to show a baseball originating from the stands after Sanchez pointed to a fan, as if the player wanted to play catch with a reported child. Initial reports indicated the fan did not throw at Sanchez on purpose.
Takeaway 1: Spencer Miles Struggles
Spencer Miles, selected by the Jays from the San Francisco Giants in the Rule 5 Draft, started Sunday's series finale in what looked like a clear pitching mismatch against the Orioles' Kyle Bradish. Miles issued three walks and gave up a three-run homer, proving that while he has punched above his weight, he was knocked down on a day when Toronto's pitching options were severely limited.
Takeaway 2: Need for Healthy Starters
The Jays cannot function properly without legitimate starters. Bullpen days are not ideal, and it is a minor miracle the team has not dropped in the standings. Of the three primary starters on the injured list, Dylan Cease is expected back soon, with updates on his hamstring due Tuesday. Max Scherzer and Shane Bieber also loom on the horizon. A full rotation would allow pitchers like Miles to be used more efficiently.
Takeaway 3: AL East Standings
The Jays have now played all four divisional foes, going 7-10 against them. Baltimore will visit Toronto next weekend for a three-game series, kicking off an East-heavy stretch that includes games against the Yankees and Red Sox. The Jays won the East last season on a tiebreaker over New York, built on home dominance against the Yankees.
Up next: After an off day Monday, the Jays begin a three-game series in Atlanta on Lou Gehrig Day. Kevin Gausman is scheduled to start the opener against the Braves, who became the first team to reach 40 wins this season.
