Instant Reaction: Blue Jays collapse in the ninth and get walked off by Angels
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Photo credit: © Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
May 8, 2025, 00:15 EDTUpdated: May 8, 2025, 01:14 EDT
The Toronto Blue Jays have now lost four in a row.
On Wednesday night, the Toronto Blue Jays played the second of three games against the Los Angeles Angels, falling 5-4 in walk-off fashion to move their season record to 16-20. Let’s take a look at what happened in this one.
The game was held scoreless for the first five innings. In the top of the sixth, Anthony Santander drove in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to give the Jays a 1-0 lead, with that hit coming off Yusei Kikuchi. In the bottom half of the sixth, Yoán Moncada hit a solo home run to restore the tie.
In the top of the seventh, the Jays regained their lead. With runners on the corners, no outs, and a 0-2 count, Myles Straw hit an RBI single to make it 2-1. After Jonatan Clase reached base to load the bases, Bo Bichette hit a two-RBI single to put the Jays up 4-1.I
The Angels scored another run thanks to Kyren Paris’ sixth home run of the season in the bottom of the seventh. In the bottom of the ninth, the first three runners reached base off Jeff Hofman. After he retired the first out of the inning, Jorge Soler hit a bases-clearing double for the win. Not great.

Takeaways…

It hasn’t seemed to happen often this season, but the Blue Jays received some clutch hits in this one. Overall, they were 5-13 with runners in scoring position, but left eight men on base. Still, that’s better than how they’ve been doing for the past few weeks. Hopefully, they can keep it up.
In total, the Blue Jays had 12 hits, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Anthony Santander, and Myles Straw each having a multi-hit game. Bo Bichette, Alejandro Kirk, Ernie Clement, Jonatan Clase, and Andrés Giménez all hit a single. This loss wasn’t on the bats.
Speaking of Giménez, he was pulled for precautionary reasons as he was removed with right quad tightness while running out a bunt. If he’s out for an extended period, Will Wagner is a good bet to replace him if need be.
José Berríos had a solid start, pitching six innings with two earned runs allowed. While he struck out nine, he also allowed five walks to move his season ERA to 3.86. With that being said, he pitched well enough for the Jays to win this one.
Yariel Rodríguez and Brendon Little both pitched well, but Jeff Hoffman once again struggled, giving up three earned runs, one walk, and one strikeout in his third of an inning pitched. This series has been a bit concerning for their closer.
The Jays will try to salvage a win on Thursday to avoid the sweep. Like the past two games, that game will start at 9:38 PM ET, with Chris Bassitt starting for the Jays. They’ve dropped five of their last six series and need to turn the ship around soon.

Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.