The Blue Jays' 11-game home win streak ended July 23 in a 5-4 loss to the Yankees. Ben Rice's 9th-inning HR off Jeff Hoffman was the difference. Read more.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
All good things must come to an end. For the Toronto Blue Jays, that 'good thing' was a franchise-record 11-game home winning streak, a magical run that captivated the city. The streak met its dramatic conclusion Wednesday night in a 5-4 heartbreaker against the rival New York Yankees, but even in defeat, this team showed the grit that has defined their season.
I love the way they fought, though. Every night it's the same thing. It seems to be a different guy. And we're right in there every minute.
The game was a classic AL East slugfest, a back-and-forth affair where every punch was met with a counter-punch. The Jays battled back from multiple deficits, with Addison Barger driving in two runs and Davis Schneider delivering a clutch game-tying RBI double. George Springer, a catalyst all night, tied the game yet again in the seventh with an RBI single. But the Yankees had the final say. Ben Rice launched a tiebreaking solo home run in the top of the ninth off Jeff Hoffman, a rare blemish for the typically lights-out reliever. Despite putting the tying run on base in the bottom of the ninth, the Jays couldn't find one more piece of magic.
On the mound, Max Scherzer battled through five innings, surrendering four runs. While not the dominant outing fans have come to expect, the most important news came after the game. Scherzer, who has been managing right thumb inflammation, reported no physical setbacks. 'That's the only good that's coming out of this start, that I'm physically good,' he told reporters. A healthy Scherzer heading into the stretch run is far more valuable than a single regular-season win, and his confirmation that he's on track for his next start Sunday against Detroit is a massive relief.
It's easy to get lost in the sting of a tough loss to a rival, but let's zoom out. The Blue Jays (59-42) are still in first place in the AL East, holding a three-game lead over these same Yankees. Their playoff odds remain a robust 89.7%. This loss doesn't erase the incredible run that preceded it. Management is also staying proactive, recalling lefty reliever Mason Fluharty from Buffalo to add a fresh arm to the bullpen. As manager John Schneider said postgame, the fight is there every single night. That tenacity is what built the winning streak, and it's what will carry them through the rest of the season.
The record-setting home streak is over, but the mission is not. This team has proven it can hang with anyone and battle back from any deficit. With Scherzer feeling healthy and the team's resolve unshaken, the focus now shifts to taking the series from the Yankees and preparing for a weekend set against Detroit. One loss doesn't define a season, but this team's fight certainly does.
