Instant Reaction: Blue Jays’ season-high 11 runs were not enough in their 14-11 loss to the Tigers

Spencer Torkelson hit his fourth home run in the bottom of the third, bit the Blue Jays would answer in the top of the fourth with a two-run shot by Cavan Biggio, his second home run of the season. The Jays would score another run in the top of the fifth thanks to a Justin Turner ground out RBI.

Then it was Tiger time, as a Carson Kelly home run scored three runs making it an 8-3 lead. At this point, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Jays had no more fight in them, but for what was maybe the second time all season, they commenced the comeback.

A Davis Schneider sac fly in the top of the sixth made it an 8-4 game, before Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a single to make it 8-5. Matt Vierling hit a home run for the Tigers to make it 9-5, but Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit his second home run of the series in the top of the seventh to make it 9-6.

The Blue Jays did the improbable in the top of the eighth, as Bo Bichette’s single dove in two runs to make it 9-8 for Detroit, before Daulton Varsho hit his 10th home run of the season, a three-run shot, to make it a 11-9 game for Toronto.

But this team can’t have nice things. The ever-reliable Yimi García gave up two runs on a Mark Canha single to tie the game at 11. In the bottom of the ninth. Jordan Romano gave up a home run to Matt Vierling, walking off the Blue Jays who lost 14-11.

Things worth mentioning…

It wasn’t a good day for any Blue Jays pitcher, but starter Yusei Kikuchi finished with a line of 3 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 0 BB, 0 K with a home run given up to bring his season ERA to 3.25. He’s shown a tremendous ability to bounce back though, so no worries.

Yimi García finally allowed a few earned runs, as he gave up three hits and two earned runs in his inning of work today while picking up the blown save. Despite the rough outing, his ERA sits at a fantastic 1.35 this season.

Trevor Richards has been the team’s second-best reliever all year, but he gave up three earned runs and three walks in an inning and a third of work to bring his season ERA to 3.75.

Erik Swanson was the only pitcher on the Jays side who didn’t allow a run, as he struck out a batter in his inning of work to bring his season ERA to 8.78. Still, this is an encouraging sign to get him back on track.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had one of his best games of the season, as he went 4-5 with a double and three singles. This game brought his batting average over .300. Other players with a multi-hit game were Danny Jansen. Bo Bichette, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Cavan Biggio.

Daulton Varsho continues  to be Toronto’s best power hitter this season, as he is the first Blue Jays with a double-digit home run total. They by no means, lost this trade.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa has been good for the Blue Jays, can’t really fault this signing either for how poorly this season has gone. The utility player is slashing .270/.314/.405 with four homers in 160 plate appearances and is halfway to his career-high in home runs. He could hit double-digit homers for the first time in his career.

Up next: The Blue Jays have only won one of their last 10 series, but that series win came against the Chicago White Sox. The good news is that starting Monday, they’ll be playing the White Sox in a three-game series, with the first game coming our way at 2:10 PM ET. Chris Bassitt will start for Toronto.

me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.