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Instant Reaction: Blue Jays suffer walk-off loss to Guardians in Max Scherzer’s return
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Photo credit: © David Richard-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Jun 25, 2025, 21:45 EDTUpdated: Jun 25, 2025, 22:11 EDT
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That was a game that the Toronto Blue Jays should’ve won.
On Wednesday, the Blue Jays had a chance to sweep the Cleveland Guardians, but ended up losing 5-4 in walk-off fashion to move to 42-37 for the season. Let’s take a look at what went wrong in this game.
The Guardians opened the scoring in the bottom of the first, as Jose Ramirez singled in Steven Kwan to give them an early 1-0 lead. It stayed that way until the top of the fourth, when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his 11th home run of the season.
Cleveland regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth, as Gabriel Arias hit a two-out double to score two, making it a 3-1 game for the Guardians. But once again, the Jays had an answer as George Springer hit his second bases-loaded hit in as many days, this time a single to score two. Ernie Clement hit a sacrifice fly to cash in Alejandro Kirk, a thing of beauty.
Unfortunately, Lane Thomas also had an impactful hit in as many days, as he hit another home run in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game at four. The game stood that way until the bottom of the 10th, as Ramirez hit a walk-off single.

Takeaways…

Max Scherzer was activated off the 60-day Injured List a few hours before the game and made his first start since March 29, just his second start as a Blue Jays. This one went better than the last, as Scherzer went five innings with three earned runs, three walks, and four strikeouts.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his 96th home run at Progressive Field. Granted, 92 of those home runs came during his record-breaking Home Run Derby in his rookie season six years ago. The first baseman has found a hole in the third spot in the lineup, and he’s now slashing .282/.387/.450 with 11 homers in 344 plate appearances for a 138 wRC+.
George Springer had another big game, going 2-4 with two singles. The outfielder also had the second-biggest hit of the game, driving in two with the bases loaded in the top of the sixth. This season, the 35-year-old is slashing .260/.358/.467.
Andres Gimenez played his second game at Progressive Field since being traded to the Blue Jays. He hit his first extra-base hit at the stadium this season, a double in the top of the second. Sadly, he was left stranded, which isn’t the only runner the Blue Jays stranded. As a whole, the Jays went 1-10 with runners in scoring position, leaving 10 on.
Also making his return to the Guardians this series is Nick Sandlin. He gave up the game-tying home run to Lane Thomas. Brendon Little pitched two scoreless innings, and Jeff Hoffman pitched a scoreless inning. Unfortunately, Mason Fluharty had a tough night for the second consecutive game, intentionally walking a batter, giving up a bunt single, and then the game-winning single.
The New York Yankees won their game against the Cincinnati Reds 7-1, restoring their three-game lead over the Jays. On Thursday, the Jays play the rubber match against the Guardians at 1:10 PM ET, with Kevin Gausman on the mound.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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