TORONTO – Russell Martin wanted the pitch low and away, J.A. Happ left it up and Kyle Seager sent it flying over the right-centre field wall.
“In a big moment, I threw a pitch down the middle to a really good hitter,” Happ said. “It didn’t get much better from there.”
Just six batters into the game, the Mariners took a 4-0 lead on Seager’s grand slam, the first of two homers he’d hit in a lopsided 9-3 Seattle win over the Toronto Blue Jays that never really seemed close. On that pitch and others Thursday, Happ’s command abandoned him in yet another disappointing starting pitching effort for a team in need of more from its rotation.
Happ allowed 10 hits, though many of them were merely ground balls that snuck through the infield in what Happ described as a ‘Murphy’s Law game.’ Still, the Seager grand slam and the Ryon Healy solo shot that followed two innings later were the result of missed location.
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As Healy stepped in to lead off the third, Martin again called for a fastball low and away. Again, Happ left it over the middle of the plate and Healy sent it over the left field wall to extend Seattle’s lead.
Those mistakes within the strike zone cost Happ, who saw his ERA rise from 3.67 to 4.80 after allowing seven earned runs. A fastball-first pitcher, Happ relies on the placement of those pitches more than most. On nights that his command betrays him, he can struggle.
“I’m going to try to flush it the best I can,” Happ said. “It’s not easy. The line is what it is, and it’s not a pretty one, but you bounce back and continue to figure out why it happened.”
At the plate, the Blue Jays got a home run from Russell Martin and a three-hit game from Josh Donaldson, but Kendrys Morales’ career-long hitless streak extended to 28 at-bats with two more ground ball outs and a pop up.
Meanwhile, Seattle starter Mike Leake allowed just two runs over seven innings, providing the Mariners with the kind of start that has been elusive for the Blue Jays of late. Short outings from Marcus Stroman and Jaime Garcia Tuesday and Wednesday meant the Blue Jays called on their relievers for four innings both nights.
An extended start from Happ would have given the bullpen the chance to rebound ahead of a weekend series against the Boston Red Sox, but instead manager John Gibbons had to get 5.2 innings from his relievers. Jake Petricka, Aaron Loup, and Tim Mayza provided solid relief after Happ’s exit, but that still leaves the Blue Jays contemplating roster moves ahead of the weekend.
“We might,” Gibbons said. “For getting pounded pretty good, we were (still) able to give some (relievers) a night off, but that’s kind of been in the plans. We were probably going to need to (add to the bullpen), so it could happen.”
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Complicating matters, there’s no obvious reliever to call up from triple-A Buffalo for the Red Sox series. Danny Barnes hasn’t spent the requisite 10 days with the Bisons since being optioned May 3, so he can’t rejoin the team yet barring an injury.
Luis Santos would be one option, though he’d require a spot on the Blue Jays’ full 40-man, and starter Sam Gaviglio could be a consideration, though he threw 82 pitches in Monday’s start. Alternatively, the Blue Jays could even look to Joe Biagini, who’s scheduled to start for the Bisons Saturday.
One way or another, there’s reason to expect some sort of reinforcements for a rotation that has now combined for a 5.53 ERA on the season. That would only offer a temporary solution, though, as more pressing questions persist for the starting five.
“We’re good, but we’ve just got to get a couple of good outings on the mound,” Gibbons said. “That’s for sure.”
“We know we’re capable of a lot more as a group,” Happ added. “We haven’t hit our stride together, I know that for sure. I know that’ll come.”
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