DETROIT – It feels a little like the Blue Jays got away with one.
Ultimately, it’s wins and losses that count most, so give them credit, especially on the pitching side. Spencer Miles and the Toronto bullpen limited the Tigers to just one run over ten innings Saturday.
Still, the Blue Jays’ 2-1 win over the Tigers at Comerica Park didn’t exactly feature the offensive outburst they’ve been hoping for.
This time, they got just enough. Yohendrick Piñango hit his first big-league home run to tie the game in the seventh and Daulton Varsho singled home the winning run in extras as the Blue Jays improved to 20-25 on the season.
Leadoff hitter George Springer went hitless in four trips to the plate, never hitting a ball out of the infield. His season OPS sits at .566, lower than his 2025 slugging percentage of .588.
No. 3 hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr. grounded into a double play, popped up to first and grounded out twice, extending his hitless streak to 22 at-bats. On defence, he made a throwing error, allowing Zach McKinstry to reach in the seventh.
And just one of the Blue Jays’ No. 6 through 9 hitters reached base Saturday as they combined for just five hits as a team. The at-bats of Lenyn Sosa are particularly quick right now, as the free-swinging second baseman never seems to see a pitch he doesn’t like – a tendency opposing pitchers seem ready to exploit.
The offensive struggles are tied to injuries, of course. This isn’t the lineup the Blue Jays thought they’d be starting when the season began. But the regulars who remain in the lineup are performing extremely poorly and despite Piñango’s best efforts, the second wave of players hasn’t come close to making up the difference.
That’s how you end up with the worst on-base percentage in the AL, a year after leading the league in that category.
As for the pitching, the bullpen game started with a strong effort from Mason Fluharty, who struck out three on his way to 1.1 scoreless innings. From there, the Blue Jays handed the ball over to Rule 5 pick Spencer Miles, who impressed last weekend with a three-inning effort against the Angels.
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Pitching on five days’ rest, Miles impressed again by pitching 3.2 scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and two walks. His curveball was especially effective as he lowered his season ERA to 2.55 and built up to 56 pitches, a season high.
With Jose Berríos set for surgery and Max Scherzer and Shane Bieber still on the injured list, there’s an opening in the rotation for the Blue Jays. Whether Miles continues to stretch out or not, he’s clearly capable of being an important part of this pitching staff at a time that some more established arms are sidelined.
That in itself is a significant development for the Blue Jays.
On Sunday, it’ll be Kevin Gausman opposite Jack Flaherty as the Blue Jays look to take the series before heading to New York.