Jays give up seven runs in third inning of loss to Twins

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The Blue Jays lost a game to the visiting Minnesota Twins, but it paled in comparison to the loss of veteran George Springer.

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In keeping with this early season injury theme, Springer became the latest victim.

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While no official word was available, Springer appeared to have suffered the injury when he fouled a ball off his foot in the third inning.

The club did announce in the late innings Saturday that Springer was removed because of a left big toe fracture.

Even prior to his injury, things went south for the Jays after they forged a 2-0 lead in the first inning, courtesy of a two-run home run by Daulton Varsho.

The Springer injury will steal all the headlines, but Toronto’s offence, which exploded for a season-high 10 runs in a win on Friday, reverted to its disappearing act.

The following are three takeaways from a 7-4 Blue Jays loss to the Twins, who drew even in a three-game series that wraps up Sunday afternoon in the rubber match, two games that each turned into lopsided outcomes.

1. Who Replaces Springer?

Cody Ponce was forced to leave his start in his Blue Jays debut, but at least pitching reinforcements are on their way.

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The Springer issue can’t be easily addressed.

Ernie Clement and Nathan Lukes appear to have the inside track, but neither projects as leadoff hitters.

Lukes started in right field Saturday and hit sixth in the order, while Clement started at third base for Kazuma Okamoto and hit behind Lukes.

Neither Lukes nor Clement has Springer’s power, and neither has that potential of stealing bases.

Combined, Lukes, who entered play Saturday with a .105 batting average, and Clement have gone yard zero times this season.

What Springer’s injury does do is put even more of the spotlight on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

The problem is that Vlad Jr. has no one ahead or behind in the lineup to protect him.

He did single to lead off the ninth inning and came around to score when Jesus Sanchez launched a ball into right-center for a two-run blast.

It was Sanchez’s second homer of the season as he continues to make a case to hit cleanup.

Only time will tell, as they say, especially with Addison Barger on the IL because of an ankle issue.

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2. Twins’ Hit Parade

Seemingly out of nowhere, the Twins exploded for seven runs in the third inning, one game after the visitors witnessed a five-run uprising by the Jays in the fourth inning.

Turnabout is fair play?

What was so shocking about Minny’s onslaught was how in control Blue Jay starting pitcher Eric Lauer looked when he begin his outing.

In the Twins’ first inning, the lefty needed all of 10 pitches to retire the side.

Lauer was feeling under the weather last week, an ailment that forced the Jays to push back his start against the White Sox in Chicago by one day.

It was clear, almost from the first pitch he tossed to the ChiSox, that Lauer wasn’t completely healthy that day.

There were no excuses on Saturday, when one can chalk up the seven-run inning to how well the Twins swung the bats and how poorly Lauer executed his pitches.

It should be noted that Lauer’s velocity hasn’t been up to speed, so to speak.

Lauer’s biggest issue was his command, or lack thereof.

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The inning began on a homer, the first of two in the frame.

When the third out was mercifully in the books, Minnesota had recorded five hits, including two that left the yard, as well as two walks.

The announced crowd of 41,591, a sellout by the way, did grow restless and a tad perturbed at Lauer languishing on the mound when more than a few boo birds could be heard.

Such is the fickle nature of fandom.

3. Back to Back for Brandon

Blue Jays catcher Brandon Valenzuela recorded his first big-league home run on Friday, and was behind the plate Saturday for the second game in a row.

Both of Toronto’s catchers, who need to somehow find ways to compensate for the loss of an injured Alejandro Kirk, are switch-hitters.

Saturday, Valenzuela showcased his arm in throwing out Austin Martin attempting to steal second base. Martin had reached base on a walk.

Tyler Heineman, Toronto’s other healthy catcher, cost his team with inaccurate throws last weekend in Chicago.

When Heineman replaced Kirk in Chicago in the 10th inning on April 3, a crucial throwing error to first base didn’t help Toronto’s cause in an eventual loss. The next day, a throwing error to third base helped open the floodgates in a loss.

Up Next

All eyes will be on veteran right-hander Max Scherzer in Sunday’s series finale (1:37 scheduled first pitch); in his most recent appearance, the 41-year-old left after two innings and 36 pitches Monday against the visiting L.A. Dodgers, because of right forearm tendinitis; the perfunctory MRI was performed, clearing the way for Scherzer to make his third start of the season; RHP Taj Bradley brings a 2-0 record and an ERA of 1.08 to his scheduled start for the Twins.

fzicarelli@postmedia.com

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