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Instant Reaction: It was the same old story in Blue Jays’ 4-1 loss to Dodgers
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Photo credit: © Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Apr 7, 2026, 22:15 EDTUpdated: Apr 7, 2026, 22:58 EDT
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Another day, another loss for the Toronto Blue Jays.
On Tuesday evening, the Blue Jays played the second of three against the Los Angeles Dodgers, falling 4-1 to lose the series. Let’s take a look at what went on in this one.
For the first time since Kevin Gausman’s last start (Wednesday), the Blue Jays didn’t give up a run in the first inning. They did give up the first run of the game, though, as Shohei Ohtani hit an RBI single in the top of the first with runners on the corners, making it 1-0. That same inning, Will Smith grounded out with runners on the corners and one out, but it wasn’t hit hard enough to turn two, giving the Dodgers a 2-0 lead.
The score stood that way until the top of the fifth. Gausman walked the first batter he saw that inning, then balked to move the runner to second. John Schneider came out, got tossed, then got angry. Unfortunately, that balk cost the Blue Jays another run, as Alex Freeland hit an RBI single.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Blue Jays finally got on the board after Andrés Giménez hit a lead-off single. With Giménez on second, George Springer hit a double to cash him in, making it 3-1. After a walk put runners on first and second with no outs, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Jesús Sánchez both grounded out, ending the threat.
That somehow wasn’t the most egregious piece of hitting from Blue Jays’ hitters in the game. Still down by two, Kazuma Okamoto began the bottom of the seventh with a lead-off double, then Ernie Clement hit a bunt single to put runners on the corners. Davis Schneider drew a walk, loading the bases with no outs. They didn’t score, as Giménez flew out, Brandon Valenzeula struck out, then Springer flew out.
Jeff Hoffman pitched in the ninth, striking out the first two batters he faced. The third batter he faced didn’t get it out of the infield, but Guerrero Jr. missed Hoffman running to cover first. That was fine, as Valenzuela was there to back it up. Then Valenzuela inexplicably threw it into the outfield. An RBI single cashed in that runner.
Okamoto struck out to begin the bottom of the ninth, Clement drew a walk, then Schneider struck out to push the Jays to the brink. Giménez hit a single to put runners on the corner, then Tyler Heineman struck out to end the game. Basically a microcosm of the Blue Jays’ season thus far.

Takeaways…

The Blue Jays are still missing that big inning. They’ve shown glimpses of their 2025 selves so far this season, look at the first three batters of the seventh, but they haven’t got that big hit this season. On Tuesday, they were 3-12 with runners in scoring position and left eight stranded.
There are a few reasons for that, of course. With Alejandro Kirk and now Addison Barger out of the lineup, the bottom of the lineup is thin, especially with their slow starts. Andrés Giménez is a bright spot in the bottom third, at least, as he was 2-4 in this game.
One other positive to take away from this game is that George Springer hit his 800th career RBI, accounting for the Blue Jays’ only run in this game. They also hit three doubles, which is more than a quarter of their doubles this season. Jesús Sánchez, Springer, and Kazuma Okamoto hit those doubles.
Pitching, not including Brendon Little, Tyler Heineman, or the revolving door of bulk relievers on minor league deals, has continued to be a bright spot. Gausman had his worst start of the season, pitching five and one-third innings with five hits allowed, three earned runs, two walks, and five strikeouts. Still, he gave the Blue Jays a chance.
Mason Fluharty struck out two in his inning and a third, as did Louis Varland. Just like his last outing on Friday, Jeff Hoffman was tagged with an unearned run because of an errant throw from a catcher. The Blue Jays’ defence has been sloppy all season long and needs to improve.
With the losing streak now at six games, the Blue Jays need to find a way to win in Wednesday’s getaway game. It won’t be easy, as the Dodgers have Shohei Ohtani as their expected starter. Dylan Cease is set to make his third start as a Blue Jay against a lineup that is familiar with him. The series final has a 3:07 PM ET start time.
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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