Blue Jays struggle at the worst possible time as they drop another to Orioles

Urgency for Interim Manager John Schneider before last night's game was the term used by the Blue Jays to sum up the current state of affairs.

Playoffs that felt pretty safe just a few weeks ago now have multiple teams in close proximity, keeping the Jays out of contention as a whole. I can't say I'm ready to kick it out.

This morning is even more urgent.

The Baltimore Orioles, a team everyone thought was back on Earth by now, have proven to be a far more long-term threat than many expected.

On the ropes of a home run run by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the first place, the Orioles hang around and hang out, eventually going to Jays ace Alec Manoa. I arrived. They tied it with two runs in the fifth and two more runs in the sixth, chasing Manoa in the process and defeating Toronto 4-2.

It was his third straight loss for the Jays and his fourth loss in eight days. The Orioles are just half a game behind the Jays on his third and final wild card. spot in the American League.

Manoa got off to a good start but lost in the fourth round, even though he didn't get a hit until he was two down.

However, back-to-back solo home runs by Cedric Mullen and rookie catcher Adley Lutchman in the fifth inning erased the lead. After one inning, the Orioles advanced on Ramon Urias' RBI single and Ryan McKenna's run-scoring his single.

Manoah and the rest of the Jaze are well aware of their struggles. The team has lost eight of their last ten games. This isn't the first time the team has struggled. Manoa, like his teammates, is confident that this situation can be turned around.

"We're still in the playoffs," he said. We are going through a tough stretch, but we keep improving.

"Everyone in this clubhouse is working hard every day and giving everything they have," he continued. "So far the ball is not rolling, but we will keep fighting. We believe that by continuing to work hard, we will eventually get where we need to be."

Dean Kramer pitched seven innings to win the game, allowing two early inning runs on Guerrero's homers.

The two teams will battle once more this afternoon before closing out the series before Ross Stripling returns from the injured reserve and faces right-hander Austin Voss in a rare mid-week matinee. .

Switch Up

There was a slight twist to the Blue Jays lineup on Tuesday.

By the 5th hole he was Matt Chapman and Bo Bichette was down to his 7th.

"I'm just trying to figure out the best way to win tonight," Schneider said. "Just shake things up, give everyone a different look, and see how things really change. Nothing in particular. I like Chappie's at-bats these days, and the offense hasn't hit as many at-bats." , just trying to shake it up.”[71][72] According to Schneider, Bichette, who has never hit such a low in his career line-up, took the news well to an extent.

"He's the best competitor," Schneider said. "He's probably not thrilled, but I mean, he's going to go out and play hard every single day." came in third place. Schneider will be very happy to leave him if he continues to see the kind of at-bats Gurriel is giving his team.

"I think everything is in flux right now," Schneider said. "I really liked [Gurriel's] at-bat. It's great that he has a runner and his approach is solid. Yeah, if he sticks there, that's a perfectly good result for the team. I like what he's doing now."

Kikuchi's Starting Future in Limbo

Yusei Kikuchi makes his last appearance with the Blue Jays. No one says it's started, but it's very possible.

When asked about his upcoming pitching matchup, Schneider made no promises to Kikuchi, saying, "I'll strip tomorrow and Berrios and Gaussmann will go after that and go from there." I just said.

The obvious choices were either Kikuchi or Mitch White, who came to the trade deadline and stood in for Stripling while he was away. Kikuchi has 0 wins and 2 losses in 3 games in August and an ERA of 7.30.

White said he went 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA in his two starts in August.

Responding to questions about Kikuchi's role, Schneider said, "We come at a crucial time in every game of the season, and it's the best way to describe [the Jays' current situation]." I think those words are urgent," he said. Forward. “Every game matters. There are a lot of teams vying for playoff spots that are fun, exciting and competitive.So you really take everything into consideration. We will make the best decision."

When asked if there would be a replacement role for Kikuchi if he was taken out of the starting rotation, Schneider was a little perplexed.

"Maybe," he said. "I think he's a really good pitcher, and he's got really good stuff, and when he's on, he strikes out a lot of people. Trying to find the best place to help everyone win every night.

mganter@postmedia.com