In the end, it’s just another one of the losses that are becoming all too common for the Toronto Blue Jays. But when J.P. Arencibia and Yu Darvish are the ones responsible for the defeat, it’s at least a little bit more painful.
Arencibia, the Blue Jays’ starting catcher from 2011-13, hit the three-run home run that put the finishing touch on a 5-1 Texas Rangers win Friday. And Darvish, who drew serious interest from Toronto before joining the Rangers three off-seasons ago, dominated a Blue Jays lineup that continues to struggle in the absence of Edwin Encarnacion, Brett Lawrie and Adam Lind.
Still, the Blue Jays say they can catch the first place Baltimore Orioles with improved play and a positive attitude.
“We’re a second place team that’s (4.5) games back and we’ve got to start thinking positive now, not really entertaining all of these negative questions,” right fielder Jose Bautista said. “I don’t see the point. We’re a second place team (4.5) games back. We’re in good shape.”
R.A. Dickey, who looked strong early on before allowing home runs to Adrian Beltre and Arencibia, also argued that losing one game to one of the American League’s best pitchers should not be blown out of proportion.
“We know we’re only one good streak away from being right in there neck and neck with Baltimore and everybody knows that in here,” Dickey said.
Yet after losing for the ninth time in their last 11 games, the Blue Jays are just one game above .500 at 49-48 and have lost 24 of their last 35 games. The American League East remains tightly packed, but with the Orioles starting to build a lead over the competition, the Blue Jays had hoped to play better baseball against a Rangers team that entered play with MLB’s worst record.
For a few innings it looked as though Dickey would build on a string of strong outings and hand the Rangers their ninth consecutive loss in front of 38,012. Instead, Beltre homered and Arencibia all but put the game out of reach by smashing a knuckler into the seats.
“It’s not fun to hit, I can tell you that,” Arencibia said. “He’s got a special pitch.”
Darvish, meanwhile, was sensational. The three-time All-Star pitched into the seventh inning, striking out 12 Blue Jays with what general manager Jon Daniels describes as “elite stuff.”
“He can take a different approach game to game with what feels good to him,” Daniels told Sportsnet Friday. “Usually if he gets through the first couple, he locks in.”
That’s exactly what happened Friday, as Darvish had little trouble limiting the Blue Jays to just one run — a home run off the bat of centre fielder Colby Rasmus.
“Darvish was outstanding. We did strike out a lot, but he’ll carve you up pretty good,” manager John Gibbons said.
As a result, the Blue Jays are just one game above .500 for the first time since May 18. They’re hoping their bats break out, but needing an offensive breakout and getting one are two different matters.
“Baseball’s a game where if you go out and try harder it gets worse,” Gibbons said. “It’s not like a contact sport where the harder you try, you might be better. Baseball works that way.”
Despite getting just one run of support, Dickey said the team’s recent offensive struggles don’t distract him on the mound.
“I can’t control any of that,” he said. “I have a hard enough time tending to my own garden. If I can just concentrate on being me, hopefully I can get us deep into ballgames.”
Yet the starting rotation has generally been strong this year, Dickey included. One way or another the Blue Jays need more from their offence and generate a more balanced effort.
“We need to play good and we haven’t played good in a while,” Gibbons said before the game. “We just haven’t played good consistently, so, yeah, we need to do that. We’re still in this thing.”
For now, Gibbons is absolutely right. The American League East is winnable. Which means starting Saturday they must beat up on inferior teams like the Rangers before they squander their hot start.