A dreary day in Dixie was sent into a tizzy the moment Spencer Horwitz stepped out of the dugout bat in hand, the Blue Jays trailing 1-0 and seemingly on their way to a series loss to the host Atlanta Braves.
Horwitz promptly turned on a pitch and turned the game upside down by going deep for a two-run blast in the eighth inning to give the visitors a 2-1 lead, one day after Horwitz hit two homers and almost came close to recording four in a 9-5 win.
In the absence of so little drama, the game was oozing with it once the Braves tied Sunday’s game in the ninth inning off Chad Green, who has not been good in his past three appearances, to force extra innings.
So many twists and turns in the late innings and into extra innings, so many runners left on base, it became a battle of attrition.
Bad defence by the Jays, in the end, proved costly as they failed to rally around Horwitz’s blast in a 4-3 loss to the Braves in 11 innings.
George Springer’s RBI single did give the Jays the lead in the 11th inning.
Zach Pop was on the mound to pitch his second inning, but broke the wrong way on a sac bunt, putting runners at the corner for the Braves.
Addison Barger made a mental error by thinking he could look the runner back at third base and then made a physical error on a throw to first that led to the tying run.
Then came the winning run on a ball hit up the middle.
As good as Horwitz has looked at the plate, he did not look good at second base.
Some of the team’s younger players auditioning for roles were exposed when the spotlight heated up so deep into the game.
There are now concerns about Green, who will earn plenty of green next season.
Pop is not the answer, but there’s no viable option available.
Certainly, Genesis Cabrera did not endear himself to anyone, once again allowing his emotions to get the better of him when he came in relief.
Crazy day that began with absolutely no warning of what would come.
Based on pedigree, Sunday’s pitching matchup was one-sided, but it turned out to be far more competitive.
Yariel Rodriguez has had his moments on the mound during his rookie campaign, but he’s nowhere near the level of Chris Sale.
That being said, Rodriguez made only one mistake, but it happened to be a home run he surrendered to Jarred Kelenic.
What prevented the pitching matchup from being completely lopsided was Atlanta’s depleted lineup.
Keep in mind the Braves scored all three of their runs in the series-opening win off Kevin Gausman in the second inning.
In Saturday’s rout by the visitors, Atlanta teed off on Luis Frias, who was making his Blue Jays debut, in the ninth inning.
The Jays now prepare for their penultimate homestand as the team’s 12-game run against National League opposition continues with a Monday date against the New York Mets followed by a visit by the St. Louis Cardinals.
Following Sunday, the Jays have 18 games remaining in the season that will end at home with three games apiece against Boston and Miami.
The finish line is in sight and how much can be gleaned based on how the Blue Jays finish is anyone’s guess.
The jury remains out on Rodriguez considering no one is sure what role best suits him.
Against the offensively challenged Braves, Rodriguez went five innings and gave up two hits.
More importantly, he only issued one walk, while recording six strikeouts.
Rodriguez received no run support and was on the hook for the loss.
At least Horwitz’s blast salvaged a no-decision for Rodriguez.
FOR SALE SIGN
The Jays got their first look at Sale as a member of the Braves, who acquired the veteran from the Boston Red Sox in a trade consummated in December.
For those not aware of his career arc, Sale was widely viewed in baseball as a can’t-miss prospect.
Injuries derailed Sale, who unwittingly was dealt with a series of setbacks.
Sale is 35 years old and has never won a Cy Young Award, despite being in contention during his run in the American League when he pitched for the Chicago White Sox and Bosox.
He should win his first on a Braves team that entered the day outside of a wild-card slot.
Sale’s litany of injuries began in 2018 when he developed left shoulder inflammation.
To his credit, he has persevered and should earn a well-deserved Cy Young Award.
In facing Sale, the Jays loaded up on right-handed bats, beginning with Springer, who was back leading off.
Springer reached base when he was hit by a pitch.
Sale then retired the next three hitters by inducing fly balls to the outfield.
CROSSING (BASE) PATHS
Teammates in Toronto having come through the Jays’ system, Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio will reunite this week when the Gwinnett Stripers play host to the Buffalo Bisons Tuesday night in Triple-A action.
For Bichette, it marks his rehab assignment.
For Biggio, it marks his debut in the Atlanta Braves organization after he was acquired from the San Francisco Giants.
Biggio’s itinerant path began when the Jays first DFAed the utility infielder in early June and then dealt him to the Los Angeles Dodgers.