Still, the Blue Jays\u2019 2-1 win at Comerica Park didn\u2019t exactly feature the offensive outburst they\u2019ve been hoping for.<\/p>\n
This time, they got just enough. Yohendrick Pi\u00f1ango<\/a> hit his first big-league home run to tie the game in the seventh and Daulton Varsho<\/a> singled home the winning run in extras as the Blue Jays improved to 20-25 on the season.<\/p>\n “That’s the hardest thing, to hit a homer, especially in a close game like this,\u201d Pi\u00f1ango said afterwards through interpreter Hector Lebron. \u201cI knew it was very important for the team, so yeah: it was great.”<\/p>\n At the plate, Guerrero Jr. greeted his younger teammate with a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cCongratulations,\u201d he told him. \u201cOne of many.\u201d<\/p>\n Yet Guerrero Jr. was unable to build on Pi\u00f1ango\u2019s success Saturday. In four trips to the plate, he grounded into a double play, popped up to first and grounded out to short twice, extending his hitless streak to 22 at-bats.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cObviously I don\u2019t feel okay right now,\u201d he said through Lebron. \u201cI\u2019m not feeling right and you guys can tell that. I\u2019ve been working very hard. I want to keep battling, keep working. I\u2019ll be ready.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just looking to hit one ball very hard and it will stay in my head and my mind,\u201d he added. \u201cI know things are going to change.\u201d<\/p>\n On defence, Guerrero Jr. made a throwing error, allowing Zach McKinstry to reach in the seventh. Asked which teammates are supporting him during this difficult stretch, he said all of them.<\/p>\n \u201cBut when it’s time to compete at the plate, I’m on my own so I’ve got to find a way myself to get through this,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n “He’s a humble guy,” Pi\u00f1ango said. \u201cAnd man, since I got here he\u2019s welcomed me with the open arms.\u201d<\/p>\n Of course Guerrero Jr.\u2019s not the only one struggling. Leadoff hitter George Springer went hitless in four trips to the plate, never hitting a ball out of the infield. His season OPS sits at .566, lower than his 2025 slugging percentage of .588.<\/p>\n \u201cI have total trust that the guys that need to get going will get going,\u201d said manager John Schneider.<\/p>\n And just one of the Blue Jays\u2019 No. 6 through 9 hitters reached base Saturday as they combined for only five hits as a team. The at-bats of Lenyn Sosa are particularly quick right now, as the free swinging second baseman never seems to see a pitch he doesn\u2019t like \u2013 a tendency opposing pitchers seem ready to exploit.\u00a0<\/p>\n The offensive struggles are tied to injuries, of course. This isn\u2019t the lineup the Blue Jays thought they\u2019d be starting when the season began. But the regulars who remain in the lineup are performing poorly and despite Pi\u00f1ango\u2019s best efforts the second wave of players hasn\u2019t come close to making up the difference.<\/p>\n \u201cYou need some people to kind of stabilize you a little until guys start rolling,\u201d Schneider said.<\/p>\n Without those contributions, the Blue Jays rank last in the AL in on-base percentage a year after leading the league in that category.<\/p>\n As for the pitching, the bullpen game started with a strong effort from Mason Fluharty, who struck out three on his way to 1.1 scoreless innings. From there, the Blue Jays handed the ball over to Miles, the Rule 5 pick who impressed last weekend with a three-inning effort against the Angels.<\/p>\n Pitching on five days’ rest, Miles held his own again, providing 3.2 scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and two walks. His curveball was especially effective as he lowered his season ERA to 2.55 and built up to 56 pitches, a season high.<\/p>\n \u201cFastball command was just okay today,\u201d Miles said. \u201cThat’s something I want to hone in on. But other than that the curveball was working and so I was just ripping it, honestly.\u201d<\/p>\n Watch the Toronto Blue Jays, Blue Jays Central pre-game, marquee MLB matchups, Jays in 30, original documentaries, the wild card, divisional series, championship series and entire World Series on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.<\/p>\n![\"MLB](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Vladimir-Guerrero-Jr-640x360.jpg\")
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