Jays’ pitcher at a loss to explain mounting losses
Toronto heading on the road after losing 8-1 to Tampa Bay
TORONTO (CP) — Marco Estrada’s words were confident and optimistic, but the soft tone of the Toronto right-hander’s voice and glum look on his face told a different story as he tried to explain the Blue Jays’ recent skid that continued Wednesday with a demoralizing 8-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.
“Our team morale is still high, guys are picking everybody else up every inning,” Estrada said following the loss that knocked Toronto down to third place in the American League East.
“It’s just hard to explain this,” Estrada said, his gaze often finding the floor as TV cameras flashed on his face. “I guess when things are going bad they stay there for a bit. But the good thing is we can only go up from here. I know things are going to change. I know time is running out, but things are going to change. We’re too good for it not to.”
The loss capped a 2-4 stint at Rogers Centre that included a crucial series loss to the Boston Red Sox.
September has been a disaster for the Jays, who have lost four straight series for the first time this season. They have won just three of their last 12 games and are two games behind Boston for first place in the AL East after the Red Sox fell 1-0 to Baltimore Wednesday night. Toronto held sole possession of the division lead on Sept. 5.
“I’ve got to believe we’re rock bottom,” manager John Gibbons said. “I don’t see how much lower it can go. So I’m optimistic that this will turn, and turn in a hurry.”
Kershaw nearly perfect for 5 innings
NEW YORK (AP) — For Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers, pitching five innings was nearly perfect. They almost were, too. Kershaw gave up just one hit in a start twice interrupted by rain, and Justin Turner grounded an RBI double off Dellin Betances in a two-run ninth that sent the Dodgers over the New York Yankees 2-0 Wednesday.
“For us to see Clayton go out and do what he does, it’s a huge lift for us,” manager Dave Roberts said.
The lefty ace threw 64 pitches in his second start since missing 10 weeks because of a herniated disk in his lower back. Last week in his return, he gave up two runs and five hits in three innings at Miami.
“Overall, a little bit better, for sure,” Kershaw said.
Of course, the three-time Cy Young Award winner still saw room for improvement.
“I gave up a hit,” he said, “so there’s a bad pitch there.”