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All was not lost in the Blue Jays’ second consecutive loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, this one a 4-1 decision on Saturday.
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To begin with, Kevin Gausman posted one of his strongest outings of the season when he issued zero free passes to Milwaukee.
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Myles Straw had a three-hit game and made everyone forget about Daulton Varsho’s defence in centre field.
Ernie Clement pinch-hit in making his first appearance since he suffered a small hairline fracture in his hand.
Bo Bichette extended his hit streak to a career-high 14 games.
There was the good, and then there was the bad, which becomes inevitable when a game is lost.
In the aftermath of the Jays’ defeat, manager John Schneider wasn’t about to make any definitive statements on whether any changes await.
“We’re in the business of trying to win,” began the skipper. “In real time, we’re aware of what’s happening.”
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The primary theme of what’s happening involves the bullpen and the team’s closer, Jeff Hoffman.
“The overall theme for anyone is walks and damage,” said Schneider. “It was tough out there.”
Hoffman has 29 saves.
When things go awry for Hoffman, they become magnified, given his job description.
Schneider keeps defending the beleaguered Hoffman, who easily could be back on the mound in Sunday’s series finale before the Jays begin a six-game road trip that ends with a weekend in the Bronx against the New York Yankees.
No one is reaching for the panic button, but at the same time the Jays will usher in September baseball Monday when MLB rosters can be expanded.
“We don’t want to deviate too much,” added Schneider. “There is a definite sense of urgency to get guys better.”
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The pressure of a pennant race and how the Jays perform will tell a lot about their ability to go deep in the post-season.
A leaky bullpen doesn’t bode well, and neither does an offence that has managed to produce a total of three runs in two losses to the Brewers.
“This is the big leagues and there’s a standard,” continued Schneider. “You move on. In tight games you go out and execute.”
Veteran right-hander Max Scherzer will get the starting assignment on Sunday.
As Schneider acknowledged, good pitching often prevails at this time of the baseball calendar.
Shane Bieber was good in his home debut Friday, Gausman even better Saturday.
Part of Toronto’s inability to score against the Brewers has been a scarcity of opportunities.
“We expect more from some of our guys,” said the skipper. “I feel we’ve fared well (against elite pitching) and I don’t want to deviate.”
A strong outing from Scherzer will help.
The possibility of having both Varsho and Clement back in the starting lineup can’t hurt.
What has hurt the Jays in dropping two in a row to the Brewers has been an anemic offence and a deficient pen.
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