SACRAMENTO — The scene following the end of Wednesday’s loss was one that only Sutter Health Park could produce.
At the conclusion of a disappointing 2-0 loss to the Athletics, Toronto Blue Jays players and coaches made the slow walk across the field toward the clubhouse behind the left-field fence of the minor-league stadium. Heads down, equipment in hand.
Losing a series to the A’s, a club with the second-worst record in the American League, no doubt stung in that moment, and now the Blue Jays will have 48 hours until their next game to think about it.
“It was a frustrating way to end the otherwise pretty good road trip,” said Blue Jays manager John Schneider.
With the loss, the team concluded its nine-game, three-city road trip through Cleveland, Kansas City and Sacramento with a 5-4 record. Yes, they took two out of three from the Guardians, securing a tiebreaker, yet losing two of three to the A’s certainly feels like a missed opportunity.
The Blue Jays remain one game behind Cleveland in the American League wild-card race after the Guardians also lost on Wednesday.
Right-hander Braydon Fisher opened the bullpen game for the Blue Jays, and the club’s relievers largely did their job in holding the A’s down, with the exception of Michael Lorenzen surrendering a solo home run to Henry Bolte in the third inning and allowing another runner to score on a wild pitch in the fourth.
However, the Blue Jays’ offence was mostly lifeless throughout the contest, mustering just six hits in what was essentially a bullpen game for the A’s. In the fourth inning, Alejandro Kirk didn’t score from second base on Ernie Clement’s soft single to centre field, while in the fifth, the Blue Jays put runners on first and third with one out when right-hander Scott Blewett induced a double play from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to escape the threat.
Guerrero Jr. swung at the first pitch, an outside cutter that he weakly grounded back to the mound.
“In every situation, not just him, everyone, when you have some traffic out there, it's just getting a good pitch to hit,” said Schneider. “I think that no one wants to do that more than Vlad. And a lot of times, him or anyone, it's kind of waiting for a pitch you can do a little bit more with.”
The manager was asked about the team’s energy level.
“I thought it was fine,” he replied. “This is a tough place to play. It's the ninth game of a tough road trip and it's definitely a different atmosphere here, but I thought the guys were ready to play and just didn't get it done today.
“Not making any excuses for where we're playing or who we're playing,” he continued, "but definitely tough here on 12 o'clock game, nine (games) out of nine (days), too. So, wish you played a little bit better, but you gotta regroup tomorrow.”
Designated hitter George Springer was not in the starting lineup and was “just a little banged up” with shoulder and leg issues, according to Schneider. However, Springer, who turns 37 next week, did pinch-hit in the eighth inning, sending a ball to the warning track that was hauled down by A’s centre fielder Denzel Clarke.
Springer declined to share details on his ailments.
“I'm just doing everything I can to be available,” Springer said. “It's September. It's been a long year, I think, for everybody. So, it's one of those things where I'm doing everything that I can to be available and we'll see what happens.”
The Blue Jays are set to fly back to Toronto Wednesday evening, and the extended rest ahead of Friday night’s game against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre should be helpful all around.
Schneider said he’s hopeful the off day allows for a mental, as well as physical, reset.
“Mentally, taking a deep breath and understanding that we still have a lot of meaningful games left to play and thankful to be playing back at home,” said the manager. “I think it kind of gets you back to normal, getting an off day at home, sleeping in your own bed and playing in front of our fans.”
However, with just 15 contests remaining and headway to make up in the standings, the Blue Jays are staring down a much longer rest if they don’t simply win.
“Just go out and play and win,” said Springer. “Everybody knows what's at stake and that's really all that matters.”
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