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Instant Reaction: The Jays blew a late lead, losing the series finale to the Yankees

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Well, the Blue Jays certainly had a chance to win this game, but blew a late lead.

With the 6-4 loss, the Blue Jays moved to 10-9 on the season, with their four-game win streak coming to an end. Moreover, they failed to sweep a team for the first time this season with the loss.

The Blue Jays jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second, as Daulton Varsho hit his third home run of the season, with Davis Schneider scoring on the play. During this home stand, he’s really coming around.

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However, the Yankees got a run back in the top of the fifth, as Juan Soto doubled in Oswaldo Cabrera to make it a 2-1 game.

For the second time in the game, Daulton Varsho went deep for the second time in the game. It was only the second time he’s had a multi-home run game, the last time coming on September 7, 2022. Moreover, this home run was only his fifth against a left-handed pitcher in his big league career.

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The Blue Jays would tack on a run in the same inning, with a Bo Bichette sac fly, but once again, the Blue Jays failed to add more than one run with the bases loaded and less than two outs. Soto would end up hitting a home run in the top of the eighth, making it a 4-2 game.

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Heading into the top of the ninth, the Jays brought in Erik Swanson for his first outing this season. Not necessarily a great idea as it was also a closing scenario. Giancarlo Stanton hit a home run on the third pitch of Swanson’s season, before Gleyber Torres hit a single and Alex Verdugo hit a double.

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Now, the Yankees had runners on second and third with no outs, before Oswaldo Cabrera grounded out, with no runs scored. This prompted the Jays to bring in Tim Mayza, who gave up a single to Jose Trevino to tie the game.

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A pop out and a walk to Juan Soto loaded the bases for Aaron Judge, who finally got his first hit of the series when it really mattered, driving in two runs. Mayza struck out Anthony Rizzo to end the inning.

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Things worth mentioning…

Unfortauntely, the Blue Jays didn’t really have any other options for the bullpen. Yimi García pitched in the two prior games, they want to rest Jordan Romano, and Chad Green was down with shoulder soreness. Mayza against Aaron Judge probably wasn’t the right decision as Bowden Francis was warming up, but that’s a big spot for anyone.

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Kevin Gausman had a good start, finishing with a line of 5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K. While it wasn’t a dominant Gausman inning by any means, it was his best start since March 31. He averaged 94.8 mph on the fastball and touched 97.9 mph, while owning a 30 whiff%.

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Génesis Cabrera had a good outing, striking out three batters and giving up a home run in his two innings of work. His season ERA remains at a high 8.22, but this is an encouraging outing.

Trevor Richards’ season ERA of 4.15 is the lowest for any pitcher that appeared in this game for the Blue Jays, and by quite a lot. He struck out a batter in a clean inning of work.

Daulton Varsho had his best game as a Blue Jays, as this was just his second career multi-hit game. This is the Daulton Varsho they traded for, and hopefully he can keep up the pace.

Kevin Kiermaier had his best game of the season, hitting three singles in three at bats, along with a walk. He hasn’t been great this season relative to last season, but hopefully this game gets him going.

Up next: The Blue Jays are off for another Thursday, but will travel to San Diego to face the Padres in a three-game series starting on Friday. That first game is at 9:40 PM ET, ew, and Yariel Rodríguez will make his second start of his big league career. José Berríos and Chris Bassitt will be the other two starters in this series.

As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.