Well, that one was weird.
On Thursday afternoon/evening, the Toronto Blue Jays played their final game of a four-game series against the Kansas Royals, falling 2-1 in five innings (we’ll get there), bringing their record to 13-13.
The Royals jumped out to an early 2-0 lead with a Salvador Pérez home run, which was all that the Royals would need to put this game to bed.
Salvador Perez now leads the AL in RBI with 25 after this two-run shot! pic.twitter.com/rY2s5JY9c3
— MLB (@MLB) April 25, 2024
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In the top of the fourth inning, the Blue Jays scored their only run of the game as Ernie Clement singled in Justin Turner to make it a 2-1 game. Even then, you could see the rain, and realistically, this game should’ve been delayed much sooner.
Chris Bassitt’s reaction to how long it took for the game to go in a rain delay. 😂 pic.twitter.com/NNjSHjVwHQ
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 25, 2024
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The game was eventually delayed, but after the fifth inning was complete, making this game official. The game entered a rain delay at 3:46 PM ET (or 2:46 PM CT), and was called off at 7:24 PM ET, or 6:24 PM CT.
Do we see a problem here? It wasn’t because of the rain in the forecast, but because the ground around the shortstop position was too loose. Of course, in an attempt to get this game official and playing through rain in innings three, four, and five, the ground was always going to be bad.
Today’s game has been called due to rain. pic.twitter.com/PoPYqwrYOW
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 25, 2024
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The game was delayed for 3 hours and 38 minutes, what an awfully managed game by MLB and umpires.
Things worth mentioning…
José Berríos was tagged with the loss, rather unfairly. He pitched okay, giving up two earned runs, three walks, and struck out a batter in five innings of work. His season ERA increased to 1.23.
José Berríos, Dirty 83mph Slurve. 😨 pic.twitter.com/or8zXLUi4O
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 25, 2024
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The Blue Jays only registered three hits in this games, with Justin Turner hitting a double and scoring a run, Ernie Clement driving in that run with a single, and of course Daulton Varsho also had a hit. Quick mention to Davis Schneider, who walked twice.
Hopefully, the loss doesn’t bite them in the butt when it comes to determining their record. With the knowledge that it was going to rain, the game should’ve been a doubleheader on Wednesday, or even postponed to next Thursday when the two teams play in Toronto. It’s really not a good look for MLB that the teams had to play through three innings of hard rain.
Up next: Before that date with the Royals at Rogers Centre, the Jays will play a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani. The first game will be at 7:07 PM ET, and Chris Bassitt will be on the mound for the Jays.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.