TORONTO – A defensive miscue, a few uneven hits and it regarded just like the Toronto Blue Jays had been going to let one other recreation slip between their fingers. However reliever Tommy Nance got here to the mound with the bases loaded and one out, bought his two outs, and turned the sport round.
Nance’s gutsy efficiency within the prime of the fifth gave the Blue Jays’ dugout a lift, with Tyler Heineman doubling in a runner within the backside of the inning, instantly adopted by Myles Straw’s two-run single as Toronto fended off the Milwaukee Brewers 8-4 on Sunday to keep away from a three-game sweep.
“We positively wanted to win, for certain,” stated Nance, who struck out Andrew Vaughn on 4 pitches after which induced an Isaac Collins groundout to flee the fifth inning. “We weren’t essentially crushing the ball early, and balls had been simply getting by way of and generally baseball is humorous that approach.
“Typically that’s what you want, and that’s what makes baseball so nice: you don’t need to hit dwelling runs all recreation or crush the ball. There’s different methods to win and that’s what I like about this crew, we discover a option to win.”
Toronto break up its six-game homestand, taking two wins from the Minnesota Twins however solely scratching out Sunday’s win over Milwaukee in that three-game collection.
Associated Movies
The 2 losses to the Nationwide League-leading Brewers — 7-2 on Friday and 4-1 on Saturday — had been particularly disappointing as Toronto’s struggling bullpen was accountable for each of them. On Sunday, nevertheless, Brendon Little, Nance (1-0), Louis Varland, Seranthony Dominguez and Jeff Hoffman got here out of the bullpen for 5 scoreless innings after starter Max Scherzer allowed 4 runs in his 4 innings.
Get each day Nationwide information
Get the day’s prime information, political, financial, and present affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox as soon as a day.
“Everyone knows we’ve the power to exit and do that each single evening,” stated Nance. “In case you have a look at our bullpen, we’ve a number of the finest stuff within the massive leagues. I really consider that.
“I believe it simply comes right down to going out and believing it and getting on a roll.”
Toronto’s win over Milwaukee coupled with the New York Yankees’ 3-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Sunday maintained the Blue Jays’ three-game lead within the American League East. The Detroit Tigers’ 5-0 victory over the Kansas Metropolis Royals on Sunday stored them atop the AL, half a recreation higher than Toronto.
“Day by day is huge,” stated Straw. “It has nothing to do with the sweep.
“We simply must take in the future at a time and attempt to get a dub on the finish of the day.”
The Blue Jays (79-58) are hoping for a first-round bye within the AL’s post-season, however to try this they must be one of many prime two groups within the league. Splitting the homestand and going 5-5 of their final 10 video games has not helped their trigger with one month left within the common season.
Chris Bassitt (11-7) will get the beginning on Monday as Toronto begins a three-game interleague collection in Cincinnati. The Reds will counter with Hunter Greene (5-4).
The Blue Jays then journey to the Bronx for a three-gamer with the Yankees.
“You attempt to win each collection,” stated Toronto supervisor John Schneider. “The purpose doesn’t change. Each single time.
“Doesn’t matter who you’re enjoying, the place you’re enjoying them. The purpose doesn’t change. You’re making an attempt to win each single collection. That’s it.”
IKF BRB — Isiah Kiner-Falefa was claimed off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates by the Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon, returning the veteran infielder to Toronto.
Kiner-Falefa performed 83 video games for the Blue Jays in 2024 earlier than being despatched to Pittsburgh finally 12 months’s commerce deadline. He hit .264 with one dwelling run, 35 runs batted in and 15 stolen bases in 119 video games for the Pirates this season.
“He’s a gamer. He’s a winner,” stated Schneider. “I believe it’s simply bringing in a flexible, profitable, grinding sort of participant.
“It means you could be extra aggressive with some pinch hits early, after which have a right-handed bat that you recognize could make contact, can run, and might play wherever within the subject, actually.”
By making the waiver declare earlier than Sept. 1, Kiner-Falefa is eligible to play for the Blue Jays within the post-season.
Reliever Yimi Garcia was transferred to the 60-day injured record a day after Schneider introduced he would have season-ending surgical procedure to wash up scar tissue in his throwing elbow.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Aug. 31, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
