The Jays were walked off in Detroit on Friday night, falling to 19-25.
On Wednesday, the Toronto Blue Jays got a walk-off grand slam from outfielder Daulton Varsho, leading everyone to hope that that was the victory that could turn the season around.
On Friday, we learned that one game is just one game, as the Jays were unable to carry the momentum and ultimately lost 3-2 against the Detroit Tigers on a walk-off single by Spencer Torkelson in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Both teams are underachieving this season, and the Blue Jays are now 19-25. The Tigers are 20-25 and in last place in the American League Central.
How it happened
The Blue Jays took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning as Andres Gimenez hit a two-run double, but the bats went silent the rest of the way.
The Tigers made it 2-1 in the bottom of the third, scoring on a wild pitch, and they tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth by Riley Greene.
In the bottom of the ninth, former closer Jeff Hoffman entered for Toronto, promptly striking out Greene to lead off the inning. Matt Vierling singled and Gage Workman struck out.
Vierling stole second, setting Zack McKinstry up to be intentionally walked, and then Torkelson delivered the heroics.
Schneider's stern message
As noted by Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, Blue Jays manager John Schneider had some stern, but truthful comments, after the contest.
John Schneider on the 9th and Jeff Hoffman: “You’ve got to limit stolen bases.
The last couple of outings for Hoff, teams are taking advantage of that. If you can just keep that runner at first, it’s a different thing.” #BlueJays
Schneider has been supportive of Hoffman all year, so we know that he has his back, but it's still mildly surprising to see him anything in the media about this at all, as opposed to just handling it internally.
Regardless of how it was handled, the fact remains: Hoffman has to be more cognizant of the runner on first, and has to know that the Tigers are going to try to get the winning run into second.
Up next
The two teams will play again on Saturday afternoon at 1:10 p.m. ET. The Blue Jays will utilize an opener in left-hander Mason Fluharty before likely giving way to Rule-5 Draft choice Spencer Miles.
The Tigers will send former No. 1 overall draft pick Casey Mize to the mound, as he's being activated off the injured list.
He's made six starts this season, going 2-2 with a solid 2.90 ERA. Not a hard thrower, he has 35 strikeouts in 31 innings. He was an All-Star in 2025.
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