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Blue Jays series recap: Jays went 2-26 with runners in scoring position in the series against Yankees
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Photo credit: © Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Ryley Delaney
Apr 29, 2025, 17:00 EDTUpdated: Apr 29, 2025, 16:58 EDT
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This past week, the Toronto Blue Jays lost their third consecutive series.
Taking on the New York Yankees in the Bronx, the Jays dropped two of three, giving them three straight series losses. First was a series loss to the Seattle Mariners, next, they were swept by the Houston Astros, leading us to Friday’s game.
They snapped a five-game losing streak in the opening game of the series. Down 2-1 heading into the ninth inning, George Springer and Andrés Giménez led off the inning by reaching base. With runners on first and second, Alejandro Kirk hit a clutch double to take a 3-2 lead. For good measure, Addison Barger hit a single to make it 4-2. Those were the only two hits with runners in scoring position by the Jays in this game, as they went 2-9.
Saturday’s game was rained out, meaning a doubleheader for the two teams on Sunday. Neither game went particularly well for the Blue Jays, as they fell 11-2 in game one of the doubleheader. Scoring a run in the top of the first, the Yankees had their big inning in the bottom of the third as Kevin Gausman threw 53 pitches and gave up six earned runs. They went 2-13 with runners in scoring position in this game.
The second game of the doubleheader featured less scoring, but it was just as bad. In the bottom of the first, the Yankees scored thanks to Trent Grisham’s lead-off home run. The Blue Jays evened it with Anthony Santander’s third home run of the season, but their bats went quiet afterward. Chris Bassitt allowed three runs in the bottom of the sixth, and an additional run was scored in the bottom of the eighth for the 5-1 loss. The Jays went 0-4 with just three hits in this game.
Overall, the Blue Jays were 2-26, good enough for a .077 batting average. This season, they’re 22nd when batting with runners in scoring position as they have a .233 batting average. Paired with the second-fewest home runs in the league with 15 in 28 games, their inability to hit with runners in scoring position is a significant problem when their game is predicated on small ball.
Of the regulars (Bo Bichette, Andrés Giménez, Anthony Santander, George Springer, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.), only the latter had a wRC+ above average, as Guerrero Jr. had a 166 wRC+. Myles Straw had a good game in the 11-2 loss as he was 3-4 with a double and two singles. Addison Barger, Alejandro Kirk, and Nathan Lukes were the only other players with a wRC+ above 100.
The Blue Jays bullpen didn’t have a good series, giving up eight runs in 11.1 innings for a 6.35 ERA. Their starters were even worse, giving up 10 earned runs in 13.2 innings pitched, although José Berríos pitched five and one-third scoreless innings on Friday.
Starting on Tuesday, the Jays begin a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox, hoping to snap a three-series losing streak.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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