Blue Jays lose to Red Sox 5-3 on June 27, 2025, as a ninth-inning rally with bases loaded fizzles. Bo Bichette strikes out to end the heartbreaking loss.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was the moment every fan lives for and dreads in equal measure: bases loaded, two outs, top of the ninth, with a chance to steal a win at Fenway Park. But the storybook ending wasn't meant to be for the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night, as Bo Bichette went down swinging against Kenley Jansen, sealing a frustrating 5-3 defeat at the hands of the Boston Red Sox.
We battled until the last out. Proud of the fight, but we need to execute better with runners in scoring position.
The final score doesn't quite capture the drama of the final frame. After clawing their way back, the Jays loaded the bases, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate. The tension was palpable, but the rally died on the vine, a recurring theme for a team that has struggled with situational hitting. Manager John Schneider summed up the night perfectly in his postgame comments: 'We battled until the last out. Proud of the fight, but we need to execute better with runners in scoring position.' It's a sentiment that echoes the frustration of a fanbase that sees the potential for greatness but is left wanting more in key moments.
Despite the loss, there were bright spots in the lineup. George Springer got the Jays on the board early, launching a two-run homer in the third inning for his 12th of the season. The early lead provided a jolt of energy that unfortunately didn't last. Meanwhile, Alejandro Kirk continues to be the team's most consistent offensive force. He added two more hits and an RBI, raising his team-leading batting average to a stellar .315. Kirk's steady presence at the plate is a massive asset, but he can't carry the offense alone.
On the mound, José Berríos delivered a classic 'good, not great' performance. 'La Makina' battled through six innings, allowing four runs (three earned) while striking out five. He kept the Jays in the game, but a shaky three-run fifth inning, punctuated by a two-run double from Rafael Devers, proved to be the difference. It was the kind of outing that gives your team a chance to win, but on a night when the bats couldn't deliver the knockout blow, it simply wasn't enough. Berríos's ERA now sits at a respectable 3.57, but he'll surely be replaying that fifth inning in his head.
With the loss, the Blue Jays fall to 42-38, holding their ground in third place in the tough AL East. While a quiet day on the transaction front means the current group is the one tasked with righting the ship, nights like this highlight the razor-thin margin for error in the division. The Jays will look to bounce back tomorrow and even the series in Boston. One loss, however frustrating, doesn't define a season, but stringing together wins against rivals is what separates contenders from pretenders.
