The <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/">Toronto Blue Jays</a> squandered a great opportunity to gain games on the New York Yankees.

Last Friday, the Blue Jays started a three-game series against the Athletics before the All-Star break. Unfortunately, the Blue Jays matched the Yankees, winning just one of three games to remain two games ahead of their American League East rival.
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<a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/instant-reaction-max-scherzer-earns-first-win-toronto-blue-jays">On Friday</a>, the Blue Jays defeated the Athletics 7-6, narrowly surviving a comeback bid from the American League West team. This game saw Max Scherzer pick up his first win as a Blue Jay, while Bo Bichette and Nathan Lukes each hit doubles.
On Saturday, the Blue Jays fell 4-3 after taking a 2-0 lead. What made things worse is that the Jays had two runners in scoring position with no outs in the top of the eighth, but were unable to cash in the runners, setting up the rubber match.
<a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/instant-reaction-blue-jays-drop-close-game-athletics">Sunday’s game</a> was the worst game the Blue Jays have played since their 15-1 defeat at the hands of the Boston Red Sox in late June. They were down 4-0 early, scored a run, and then the Athletics scored two more runs. The last swing of the bat saw Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ground into a game-ending double play, and in the end, the Blue Jays fell 6-3, with the lone positives being home runs from Davis Schneider and Addison Barger.
Of the regulars, Bichette had the best series, slashing .385/.385/.615 in 13 plate appearances for a 178 wRC+. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also had a good series, slashing .300/.462/.300 for a 135 wRC+. Davis Schneider (167 wRC+), Leo Jiménez (167 wRC+) and Addison Barger (87 wRC+) hit the three home runs in the series.
Nathan Lukes had another good series, slashing .286/.375/.429 for a 128 wRC+ in nine plate appearances. It was a tough series for Myles Straw (81 wRC+), Alejandro Kirk (65 wRC+), Ernie Clement (42 wRC+), and George Springer (-100 wRC+)
José Berríos had a poor outing, giving up four earned runs in his three innings of work on Sunday. Max Scherzer pitched a quality start, giving up three earned runs in six innings of work. Kervin Gausman pitched five innings, giving up four runs, three of which were earned.
Jeff Hoffman gave up three earned runs in his outing, but managed to avoid giving up the lead. Justin Bruihl was the other reliever who gave up a run, giving up one earned run in an inning and a third. Chad Green, Tommy Nance, Brendon Little, Braydon Fisher, and Yariel Rodríguez all pitched scoreless outings.
As did Chris Bassitt, who pitched out of the bullpen for the first time since 2019. He pitched a clean inning with a strikeout.
The Blue Jays look to get back on track as they return home to host the <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/throwback-thursday-looking-eight-trades-toronto-blue-jays-made-with-giants">San Francisco Giants</a> over the weekend.
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Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/author/ryley-delaney">Blue Jays Nation</a>, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/author/ryley-delaney">Oilersnation</a>, and <a href="https://flamesnation.ca/author/ryley-delaney">FlamesNation</a>. She can be followed on Twitter <a href="https://x.com/Ryley__Delaney">@Ryley__Delaney</a>.
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The <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/">Toronto Blue Jays</a> squandered a great opportunity to gain games on the New York Yankees.



Last Friday, the Blue Jays started a three-game series against the Athletics before the All-Star break. Unfortunately, the Blue Jays matched the Yankees, winning just one of three games to remain two games ahead of their American League East rival.
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<a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/instant-reaction-max-scherzer-earns-first-win-toronto-blue-jays">On Friday</a>, the Blue Jays defeated the Athletics 7-6, narrowly surviving a comeback bid from the American League West team. This game saw Max Scherzer pick up his first win as a Blue Jay, while Bo Bichette and Nathan Lukes each hit doubles.

On Saturday, the Blue Jays fell 4-3 after taking a 2-0 lead. What made things worse is that the Jays had two runners in scoring position with no outs in the top of the eighth, but were unable to cash in the runners, setting up the rubber match.

<a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/instant-reaction-blue-jays-drop-close-game-athletics">Sunday’s game</a> was the worst game the Blue Jays have played since their 15-1 defeat at the hands of the Boston Red Sox in late June. They were down 4-0 early, scored a run, and then the Athletics scored two more runs. The last swing of the bat saw Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ground into a game-ending double play, and in the end, the Blue Jays fell 6-3, with the lone positives being home runs from Davis Schneider and Addison Barger.

Of the regulars, Bichette had the best series, slashing .385/.385/.615 in 13 plate appearances for a 178 wRC+. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also had a good series, slashing .300/.462/.300 for a 135 wRC+. Davis Schneider (167 wRC+), Leo Jiménez (167 wRC+) and Addison Barger (87 wRC+) hit the three home runs in the series.

Nathan Lukes had another good series, slashing .286/.375/.429 for a 128 wRC+ in nine plate appearances. It was a tough series for Myles Straw (81 wRC+), Alejandro Kirk (65 wRC+), Ernie Clement (42 wRC+), and George Springer (-100 wRC+)

José Berríos had a poor outing, giving up four earned runs in his three innings of work on Sunday. Max Scherzer pitched a quality start, giving up three earned runs in six innings of work. Kervin Gausman pitched five innings, giving up four runs, three of which were earned.

Jeff Hoffman gave up three earned runs in his outing, but managed to avoid giving up the lead. Justin Bruihl was the other reliever who gave up a run, giving up one earned run in an inning and a third. Chad Green, Tommy Nance, Brendon Little, Braydon Fisher, and Yariel Rodríguez all pitched scoreless outings.

As did Chris Bassitt, who pitched out of the bullpen for the first time since 2019. He pitched a clean inning with a strikeout.

The Blue Jays look to get back on track as they return home to host the <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/throwback-thursday-looking-eight-trades-toronto-blue-jays-made-with-giants">San Francisco Giants</a> over the weekend.

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Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/author/ryley-delaney">Blue Jays Nation</a>, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/author/ryley-delaney">Oilersnation</a>, and <a href="https://flamesnation.ca/author/ryley-delaney">FlamesNation</a>. She can be followed on Twitter <a href="https://x.com/Ryley__Delaney">@Ryley__Delaney</a>.

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