Bullpen Catastrophe Leads Blue Jays to Fifth Straight Loss

Toronto dropped its fifth straight game after an atrocious ninth-inning meltdown compounded by five walks.

© Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

As far as meltdowns go, this one was pretty much nuclear.  

Blue Jays reliever Travis Bergen checked his catcher for the sign as his teammate Tyler Chatwood angrily looked on from the dugout. 

Chatwood entered the ninth inning of Sunday’s game with a two-run lead, but didn't have his best stuff. The right-hander -- who's been lights-out all season -- walked two batters, allowed two hits and a run before handing the game over to Bergen.

Bergen then promptly gifted the win to the Tampa Bay Rays in the most painful fashion, walking in three consecutive runs as Toronto lost 6-4.

All in all, Jays pitchers allowed five walks in the ninth. Bergen was nowhere near the zone, throwing just nine strikes on 22 pitches -- 20 of which were fastballs.  

Toronto's bullpen was strong early this season, but has crumbled lately. In the last 14 days, Blue Jays relievers have accounted for -0.2 wins above replacement -- 28th in the league -- and pitched to a 4.94 ERA.

Despite a recent stretch of shaky outings, Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo doubled down on his confidence in his current group of relievers. 

"[The bullpen is] going to struggle once in a while and when you play close games, that's going to happen," Montoyo said. "I trust them and they're going to be alright."

As always, ace Hyun Jin Ryu gave the Blue Jays a chance to win. 

Ryu tossed his third straight quality start. The left-hander went 6 2/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on eight hits, striking out seven Rays batters. 

The Blue Jays broke a streak of 11 straight scoreless innings when Teoscar Hernandez tied the game 1-1 with a solo home run in the fourth inning. He added another clutch RBI single in the fifth to cap off three straight two-out Blue Jays hits.

Hernandez upped his 2021 RBI total to 24 on Sunday, and has now drove in a run in four straight games. As long as Hernandez keeps hitting, teams will be forced to pitch to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and his 1.076 OPS. 

For all the good the Blue Jays offence provided, the bullpen imploded for its second blown save in the last four games. 

This is the lowest point of Toronto's season to date. After five straight losses, all to divisional opponents, Toronto sits 4.5 games back of Boston for first in the American League East.

With a series in The Bronx looming, the Blue Jays will need to straighten things out quickly or risk tumbling further down the American League standings. 

A South Korean showdown

In the second inning, Ryu squared off against fellow countryman Ji-Man Choi.  

As @thehazelmae reported. History is happening and these guys were on their feet. Both men from S Korea are beaming. And told me ‘we’ve been waiting for this for years!’ pic.twitter.com/jlgHqhcJEG

— Ben Wagner (@benwag247) May 23, 2021

"As two Koreans that get to face in a major major league game, it's something special," Ryu said through interpreter J.S. Park. 

Ryu -- who went to the same South Korean high school as Choi -- won the first battle, getting the Rays first baseman to roll over to second.

But Choi got some redemption in the fourth inning, lining a double off the wall in centre field, before an excellent Toronto relay cut the runner down at the plate. 

With game tied 2-2 in the sixth and two runners on, Choi took his third at-bat against Ryu. It took six pitches, and a little help from the home plate umpire, for Ryu to sit down Choi on a fastball away. 

There are currently just six active South Korean players in the majors, making Sunday's showdown extra unique.

Up Next: 

RHP Ross Stripling vs TBA @ 1:07 PM ET

Toronto plays its last game at TD Ballpark on Monday, then embarks on a six-game road trip before settling into Sahlen Field in Buffalo, N.Y., on June 1.

Monday's game will be an important test for Ross Stripling. The right-hander has put up a career-worst 7.20 ERA through six starts this season and is fighting for his spot in the rotation.