Published Apr 27, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 4\u00a0hours ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 4 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n It was hockey night at the Rogers Centre on Monday night \u2014 thanks to a giveaway feting wildly popular Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement \u2014 so apologies in advance for the puck analogies.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The Maple Leafs may not be in the playoffs, but with hockey fever alive and well in downtown Toronto \u2014 for one night anyway \u2014 it did not go so well for the blue and white.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Facing the nastiness of Red Sox starter Ranger Suarez \u2014 and some sloppiness from their own counterpart, Dylan Cease \u2014 the Jays were never in the opener of the three-game series, falling 5-0.<\/p>\n In their first game against an AL East opponent this season, the Jays were thoroughly drubbed and fell to 12-16 while the tumultuous Sox (12-17) won their third in a row.<\/p>\n The Jays didn\u2019t manage a hit off of Suarez until the sixth inning \u2014 a thumping leadoff double from Jesus Sanchez, who wasn\u2019t able to advance further.<\/p>\n Other than a spectacular Davis Schneider catch in left field to rob the Red Sox of another run, that was the extent of the excitement for the sellout crowd of 41,785, many of them hoping to get a Clement Blue Jays hockey jersey. And many of those leaving empty-handed of swag and disappointed with the result.<\/p>\n Your Midday Sun<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Where it went wrong<\/p>\n Cease, off to such a great this season, was at his best through the first three innings, mowing down Red Sox hitters, five of them via strikeout to that point.<\/p>\n But things unravelled over the next two-plus innings when he made a throwing error and fell off the mound, leading to an infield single, and ran his pitch count up.<\/p>\n Exiting after 5.2 innings, Cease allowed four runs on seven hits and threw a workhorse volume of 107 pitches. It was an uncharacteristic outing for the right-hander, who had allowed just three earned runs combined in his previous three starts and six total in his five outings with the Jays.<\/p>\n For Cease, his fortunes turned when Boston hitters started taking him deep in counts, the one area where he\u2019s been lacking so far this season. And with those struggles, he didn\u2019t manage a strikeout beyond the third.<\/p>\n \u201cHe lost feel for it, for whatever reason,\u201d is how Jays manager John Schneider described his starter\u2019s effort. He\u2019s really good for a reason, but it was one of those battles for him after the third.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n There was also a scary moment when Cease tumbled to the turf in the fifth inning. Schneider\u2019s immediate thought went to the tumble from Cody Ponce that ended the righty\u2019s season in his first start back in March.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m glad he\u2019s okay, Schneider said. \u201cI had Cody Ponce flashbacks.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got all the confidence in the world that he\u2019ll rebound and be a little more stable going forward in games.\u201d<\/p>\n With the offence not able to crack Suarez, that 4-0 lead felt insurmountable. The veteran right-hander was dominant, pitching eight complete and allowing that one hit and a walk while striking out 10.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s good. He\u2019s stubborn and he doesn\u2019t give in,\u201d Schneider said of Suarez. \u201cHe was even more stubborn tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n Prior to the Boston beatdown, it was an Ernie love-in both outside and inside the Rogers Centre.<\/p>\n Lines that began in the morning to snag the giveaway Clement Blue Jays jersey had stretched down city streets by mid-afternoon, causing mayhem in the vicinity of the dome.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Prior to the game, it was Clement\u2019s teammates getting in on the show. All of them sported the jersey, with George Springer coming out with a hockey (not batting) helmet and Hartford Whalers coloured gloves, and Louis Varland sporting a full visor.<\/p>\n It was quite a scene all around, for Clement who also caught the ceremonial opening pitch from Toronto Sceptres and Team Canada forward, Daryl Watts.<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n With Blue Jays’ struggling starter Max Scherzer on IL, what now?<\/p>\n![\"Jays](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Dylan-Cease-April-28-e1777341200819.jpg\")
Jays pitcher Dylan Cease reacts during Mondays game against the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre. Mark Blinch\/Getty ImagesArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/21.0.2\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-tsun.svg\"){kind=logo}
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Jays outfielder George Springer wears a fan giveaway Ernie Clement hockey jersey ahead of the game against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday. Mark Blinch\/Getty ImagesWhy the hockey talk?<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0428-max-scherzer-blue-jays.jpg\")
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