Diaz’s Late Homer Sinks Blue Jays in 3-2 Loss to Astros
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By Harry Kettle
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Summary:
- The Toronto Blue Jays suffered a 3-1 defeat against the Houston Astros, despite tying the game in the eighth with RBI singles.
- Yainer Diaz broke the deadlock in the ninth with a solo home run off closer Jeff Hoffman.
- Despite the loss, the Blue Jays stayed three games up in the AL East thanks to Yankees and Red Sox defeats.
The Toronto Blue Jays came close to pulling off another dramatic comeback on Wednesday night, but a late home run from Houston’s Yainer Diaz spoiled the effort.
Down 2-0 entering the eighth inning, Toronto chipped away with back-to-back RBI singles from Andrés Giménez and Nathan Lukes, knotting the score at 2-2 and breathing new life into the Rogers Centre crowd. It looked like the Jays might be set up for another walkoff finish.
Closer Jeff Hoffman took the mound in the ninth with the game hanging in the balance. However, Houston had other plans. Diaz connected on a 94.7 mph four-seamer, sending it 385 feet into the left-centre field seats. Toronto couldn’t respond in the bottom half, dropping the game 3-2.
Manager John Schneider said afterwards,
He’s got good stuff, I still trust him. He’s been throwing the ball really well, and one bad pitch tonight.
That one pitch was supposed to jam Diaz inside, part of the Blue Jays’ game plan against the right-handed hitter. Instead, it leaked back over the middle of the plate.
I feel like a broken record, but it’s just one bad pitch. I feel like they go hand-in-hand with Hoff. It’s the home runs that are obviously going to hurt you. We’re trying to go in on Diaz all night and (the pitch) was middle-middle. I think the difference between when he’s really good and when he has a rough outing, that’s it, you know? It’s just the damage right there.
The Long Ball Struggle
Hoffman, who signed a three-year, $33 million deal with Toronto in January after two strong seasons in Philadelphia, has struggled with the long ball this year. After allowing only nine home runs in 118 2/3 innings for the Phillies, he has already surrendered 15 in just 62 1/3 innings with the Blue Jays.
I think teams prepare a little bit differently for a quote-unquote closer. What we’ve been looking at in particular is the pitch deployment and when you’re throwing what pitch and what counts. He’s got three different weapons that are really good, and I think just trying to use them all appropriately is where the damage has come a little bit.
Jose Berríos gave Toronto a solid start, allowing two runs across 5 1/3 innings while striking out four. He left after giving up a solo shot to Carlos Correa.
I think we have been showing that all year long. Every player in that clubhouse is contributing to the team. It’s fun to watch. We fight together until the last out.
The Blue Jays held their three-game lead in the AL East thanks to losses by both New York and Boston, though Detroit leapfrogged them for the league’s best record.
