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Recap: Mariners 2, Blue Jays 1; Jays Fall in Extra-Innings

The Blue Jays’ dropped a heartbreaker in the finale of a three-game series in Seattle on a walk-off sac fly by Robinson Cano in the bottom of the 12th inning. The Jays’, who tied the game in the top of the 9th inning when Jose Bautista took Mariners’ closer Edwin Diaz deep, were unable to score, despite mounting rallies that saw the team place runners in scoring position with nobody out in both the 10th and 11th innings. After an error by Josh Donaldson led to runners on the corners with nobody out, Cano, who was held hitless all afternoon, hit an R.A. Dickey fly ball deep enough to cash Guillermo Heredia from third base. With the 2-1 loss, the Blue Jays fall to 83-69 on the season, and to 18-23 in one run games. Both the Mariners and Blue Jays received strong starts from Felix Hernandez and Aaron Sanchez, who, despite struggling with their control (both issued 3 walks), combined to allow just 6 hits this afternoon at Safeco Field.

Top Play of the Game by WPA

Bautista’s dramatic, 9th inning, game-tying homer off of the Mariners’ 100-mile-per-hour flamethrower, increased the Blue Jays’ chances of winning the game by 36.4 percentage points and was the highest value play of the game by WPA. Unfortunately, the homer would be all the scoring the Blue Jays could muster on this day.

Bottom Play of the Game by WPA

After Jose Bautista struck out, Russell Martin came to the plate with runners on first and second in the top of the 11th inning. Martin hit a comebacker to Nick Vincent, starting a double play that snuffed out yet another Blue Jays rally. The play reduced the team’s chances of winning by a game low 20.8 percentage points.

Bats Go Back to Sleep

The Blue Jays’ offence continues to play hide and seek at the most inopportune of times. Less than 20 hours after the bats came alive to score 10 runs against Hisashi Iwakuma, they were once again stymied by Felix Hernandez and the Mariners bullpen, being held to just 6 hits in 12 innings. Despite mounting rallies in the 10th and 11th innings, the Blue Jays were unable to plate a go-ahead run. Throughout their struggles, the team continues to take a patient approach at the plate – Jays’ hitters drew 6 walks this afternoon.

Curveballs For Days

During his last start against Boston, a blister on his pitching hand limited Aaron Sanchez’s ability to get a good feel for his offspeed pitches. Sanchez appeared to be feeling no such effects today in Seattle. Sanchez went to his curveball early and often against the Mariners. Similarly, Felix Hernandez, who has lost a tick on his fastball velocity as he moves into baseball-middle-age, utilized his curveball and changeup to effectively keep Blue Jays’ hitters off balance.

JD’s Gutsy Performance

Despite making some costly fielding mistakes in the 12th inning, its hard not to feel for Josh Donaldson. While we don’t know exactly what is wrong with Josh Donaldson’s hip, it can’t be feeling very good right now. Despite playing through pain, Donaldson legged out an opposite field double, got another opposite field hit to lead off the 11th, and managed to contain his emotions when rung up on a very contentious check-swing in the 5th inning. Donaldson looked noticeably slower and laboring while running the bases. The fact that Donaldson has been able to do what he has will likely become even more impressive whenever we actually find out the true extent of his injury.

Up Next

The team will enjoy their final off-day of the 2016 season on Thursday before beginning the final homestand of the year against the flailing New York Yankees on Friday. The Yankees are 3-7 in their last 10 games and head into action on Wednesday night having fallen 3.5 games behind the Orioles for the second wild card spot. Starting pitchers for Friday’s opener have not yet been officially announced, but Francisco Liriano (7-3, 5.08 ERA) could be next in line to take the hill for the Blue Jays.

Lead Photo: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

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