Alejandro Kirk hit two homers, but Kevin Gausman struggled as the Blue Jays fell 9-5 to the Diamondbacks on June 19. Read how the ace's rough start sunk Toronto.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a classic case of one step forward, two steps back at the Rogers Centre on Thursday. Catcher Alejandro Kirk put on a power display with two home runs, but it wasn't nearly enough to overcome a disastrous start from ace Kevin Gausman, as the Toronto Blue Jays fell 9-5 to the Arizona Diamondbacks, snapping their three-game winning streak in the series finale.
Alejandro Kirk was a one-man wrecking crew, finishing 3-for-4 with two home runs and three RBIs in the loss.
It's a day Kevin Gausman will want to forget. The Blue Jays' ace simply didn't have it, getting tagged for seven earned runs on eight hits over just five innings. The Diamondbacks lineup, led by Eugenio Suárez and Pavin Smith, teed off on him, launching two costly home runs that put Toronto in a deep hole early. Gausman's ERA ballooned to 4.08, and the tough outing dropped his season record to 5-6. When your best pitcher gets hit that hard, winning becomes an uphill battle.
The biggest silver lining in the cloudy loss was the thunder from Alejandro Kirk's bat. The catcher was locked in all afternoon, launching a solo shot in the 2nd inning and another in the 7th. He added an RBI single in the 8th to complete a brilliant 3-for-4 day. It was Kirk's first multi-homer game of the season, tying his career high and providing nearly all of the team's early offense. Fans on social media were buzzing about his performance, a welcome sign of life from the fan-favorite backstop.
Despite the lopsided score, the Jays didn't go down without a fight. The offense scraped together four runs in the final three innings, trying to mount an improbable comeback. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. chipped in with an RBI double and scored twice, showing signs of life himself. However, the seven-run deficit created by Gausman's tough start proved too much to overcome. It was a gritty finish, but ultimately too little, too late.
While the big league club took a loss, the future continues to look bright. There were no major player moves, but reports from the farm system remain encouraging. Top prospect Arjun Nimmala is solidifying his status as one of the best young shortstops in the minors, while recent draft picks Trey Yesavage and Khal Stephen are impressing in Low-A. It's a good reminder that even on a tough day in Toronto, the talent pipeline is strong.
It's a frustrating end to what was shaping up to be a great homestand, but at 40-34, the Blue Jays are still in a solid position. The key will be shaking off this rough start from their ace and getting the rotation back on track for the weekend series. If Alejandro Kirk's bat is truly waking up for the summer, this offense could be poised for a big run. Let's hope Gausman bounces back and the bats stay hot.
