TORONTO – Jeff Hoffman stood on the mound at Rogers Centre, shaking his head as Christian Yelich rounded the bases.
It was the second consecutive house run that Hoffman, the Blue Jays nearer, had given up within the ninth inning on Saturday, costing Toronto a 4-1 determination to the Milwaukee Brewers. Hoffman stated he was shaking his head in disappointment as he allowed three runs within the inning and took his sixth lack of the season.
“Truthfully, simply need to be higher,” stated Hoffman, who took the mound with the sport tied 1-1. “Everytime you hand over a lead, or it’s a tie recreation and also you hand over that go-ahead run or no matter, it clearly doesn’t really feel good.
“We’ve obtained plenty of guys which are making an attempt actual onerous in there and also you don’t need to be the man that ruins it for everyone for the evening. Tomorrow’s a brand new day.”
Jackson Chourio hit a solo house run to guide off the ninth, then Yelich adopted go well with. 4 batters later, Isaac Collins hit a double to left subject that scored Sal Frelick. Hoffman was then lifted in favour of Yariel Rodriguez, who obtained the third out for Toronto.
The win improved the Nationwide League-leading Brewers’ file to 84-52, greatest in Main League Baseball. The Blue Jays began the three-game sequence main the American League however back-to-back losses to the Brewers coupled with the Detroit Tigers’ 5-3 win in Kansas Metropolis on Friday evening put Toronto right down to second within the AL, however it nonetheless leads the East division.
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The boos from the sold-out crowd of 41,424 at Rogers Centre grew with every run Hoffman allowed and continued when he trudged to the Blue Jays dugout. Hoffman stated he truly appreciated the jeers.
“Everyone right here’s making an attempt to win. Everyone desires to win,” stated Hoffman. “That’s a Blue Jays fan, so, I imply, it’s comprehensible.
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“That’s what occurs whenever you’re on an excellent workforce: Folks anticipate you to win each evening and that’s good that they’re booing. I like that.”
Hoffman (8-6) has 29 saves and 75 strikeouts this 12 months however a 5.11 earned-run common over 59 video games. He’s allowed eight runs in his previous 4 appearances and has a complete of seven blown saves.
“The one numbers I have a look at are those that I’ve blown. I don’t actually care about what number of video games that I’ve received or saved or no matter,” stated Hoffman “The one which I at all times have a look at are the losses, are the blown saves.
“Clearly, we have to do a greater job of simply coming in and doing my job and pounding the zone and doing it with great things.”
Kevin Gausman had a high quality begin for Toronto after he struck out eight, permitting only one run on 4 hits over seven innings. He defended Hoffman’s ninth-inning efficiency, noting that Chourio and Yelich each linked on robust pitches outdoors the strike zone.
“If you understand something about baseball, it’s extra spectacular in regards to the two pitches that have been hit for house runs,” stated Gausman. “A slider off the plate, hit the other manner. Subsequent pitch is a fastball down and away, hit the other manner.
“Typically you’ve simply obtained to tip your cap (to the opposite workforce). It’s unlucky that, clearly, it occurred in an enormous spot, however (Hoffman) is an expert, and we have now all the arrogance on the planet in him.”
Blue Jays supervisor John Schneider stated that, regardless of Hoffman’s struggles, his job as nearer was protected.
“We’re within the enterprise of making an attempt to win, proper? You could have to concentrate on what’s occurring in actual time, for certain,” stated Schneider. “You’re anticipating the conventional model of the man to return out of the ‘pen. Hoff’s obtained 29 saves. He’s proven that he can do it.
“We’ve obtained to determine, not simply him, however a number of guys within the ‘pen, by way of strike throwing, by way of finding, however once more, we’re going to attempt to make the very best determination for everybody, to attempt to win each single evening.”
Schneider then added: “However to reply your query, can Hoff shut tomorrow? Yeah, certain.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Aug. 30, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
