Jays’ bullpen snatches defeat from jaws of victory
Leaky ’pen loses another seventh-inning lead in loss to Red Sox at Fenway
BOSTON— Miguel Castro and Roberto Osuna were the biggest good-news stories at Blue Jays spring training this year.
Both just 20 years old and having never pitched above A-ball, their emergence as two of the team’s top relievers was remarkable, while their early dominance of big-league hitters quieted some of the questions about the lack of proven arms at the back end of the Jays’ bullpen.
Their obvious kinship and genuine delight to even be invited to spring camp, meanwhile, made it tough not to root for them.
But in the past week both Castro and Osuna have had to face the harsh realities of the regular season, while questions about how heavily the Jays have leaned on the two rookies will continue to grow louder after the club’s beleaguered bullpen blew another late-inning lead Monday night.
It was Osuna and Castro who combined to give up the tying and winnings runs in the eighth and ninth innings as the Jays were walked-off 6-5 by the Red Sox for their fourth straight defeat.
Monday marked the second time in the last three games — and the third time this young season — that the team’s bullpen had lost a lead after the seventh inning. And it was the third straight game and fourth time in his last five appearances in which Castro — who has been the Jays’ most often-used closer — allowed a run. Osuna, meanwhile, has allowed runs in two straight appearances.
“We’re asking a lot out of them but it’s just the way it goes,” manager John Gibbons said afterward.
“You find some things out. I love both of them, I think they’re both going to be great pitchers when it’s all said and done, but we’re asking a lot out of them and I’m not sure how fair that is,” Gibbons said.
Monday’s defeat, the fifth of the Jays’ 11 losses pegged on the bullpen thus far this season, will once again raise calls for the team to add an experienced reliever or two via trade or free agency.
It also highlights the fact general manager Alex Anthopoulos failed to address an obvious weakness this past off-season and was forced instead to go with unproven arms who would likely pitching in the high-minors if the team had more bullpen depth.
Both pitchers may yet have to undergo some minor-league seasoning before this season is done. Gibbons wasn’t about to make that suggestion immediately following Monday night’s game, but he said it’s not uncommon for young players to go back-and-forth between the majors and minors.
“That’s very common in baseball, but to succeed you have to have a chance to fail,” he said. “That’s part of it, too. Instead of looking over your shoulder . . . who’s behind you, are you going to yank me? Those things make you tougher. But it is a lot to ask from the kids.”
The Jays led 5-2 at one point, thanks in part to another home run by another rookie, Devon Travis. But the home side chipped away until the end, delivering the fatal blows to Osuna and Castro.
“What happened today was going to happen one day,” Osuna said after the game. “We just got to keep working and try to make those adjustments, that’s it. We can pitch in these situations and we going to make those adjustments and we will.”
Osuna and Castro may be the youngest pitchers on staff but they also may be the most talented.
“It’s that thing you battle,” Gibbons said. “These guys, inexperienced and youngest guys on the team but they have the best stuff. That’s the problem that you battle. When they’re on, they can dominate you. I think they’re both good enough and that’s big-league baseball. It’s a tough rack- et down in the bullpen.”
Jose Bautista returned to the Jays’ lineup Monday after missing five games with shoulder soreness.
His arm is not yet strong enough for him to play right field, so he served as designated hitter, going 0-for-3 with a walk.