Instant Reaction: Blue Jays blow late lead in 4-2 loss to White Sox

Originally posted on Bluejaysnation | By Ryley Delaney | Last updated Jun 22, 2025 4:45 PM ET

That was ugly.

The Toronto Blue Jays played the rubber match against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday afternoon, falling 4-2 to move their season record to 41-36. With the loss, they’ve lost two of their last three series.

In the top of the fourth, the White Sox took the lead as Luis Robert Jr. hit into a force out with the bases loaded, driving in Chase Meidroth. The Jays tied the game in the bottom of the fifth, as Myles Straw hit a double and was cashed in by Bo Bichette to bring the game even at one.

Alan Roden hit a lead-off triple in the bottom of the seventh, his first big league triple of his young career. Up next was Bichette, who drove in his second run of the game for the 2-1 lead.

Roden runs
Bichette cashes
We lead pic.twitter.com/TXI34DX4tL

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) June 22, 2025

Sadly, it all came apart in the top of the eighth. Austin Slater walked, but Brendon Little got the next two outs. Michael A. Taylor hit a single to chase Little from the game, and in came Jeff Hoffman. Their closer walked a batter, committed an error to tie the game, and gave up a double to Miguel Vargas to give the White Sox a 4-2 lead.

Takeaways…

This was a series that the Blue Jays needed to win. If they wish to be a postseason team, they have to beat teams at the bottom of the standings, and dropping two of three to the White Sox is not a good sign.

With the series loss, the Blue Jays have lost two of their last three series, as they were swept by the Philadelphia Phillies before coming home and taking two of three from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Moreover, this was only the White Sox’s second road series win of the season.

Chris Bassitt did what he needed to do, going six innings with one earned run allowed and seven strikeouts. Yariel Rodriguez struck out two in a clean inning. In the top of the eighth, Brendon Little struck out two but gave up two unearned runs in two-thirds of an inning. Jeff Hoffman gave up the double that essentially won the White Sox the game.

The White Sox nearly scored more runs in the top of the ninth, as Nick Sandlin walked two batters and allowed a hit to load the bases with two outs. Braydon Fisher got a groundout to end the threat.

It was a quiet day for the Blue Jays’ offence. Bo Bichette drove in both runs with two singles. Ernie Clement also had a two-hit game, as both his singles came against a right-handed pitcher. Myles Straw hit his seventh double of the season, and Alan Roden hit his first big league triple.

George Springer led off the bottom of the ninth with a single, but Bichette hit into a double play to end the threat. Andres Gimenez also hit a single.

The Blue Jays are off on Monday, but return to action on the road against the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday at 6:40 PM ET. Eric Lauer is the Blue Jays’ expected starter.

This article first appeared on Bluejaysnation and was syndicated with permission.

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