Ace Cristopher Sanchez was spotted five-run lead from his Philadelphia Phillies teammates to beat Toronto 5-2
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It’s one thing to fall behind 4-0 against a Baltimore Orioles team whose starter is not in the Cy Young Award conversation, but quite another when facing an elite arm in Cristopher Sanchez when his Philadelphia Phillies spot him a five-run lead.
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As a point of reference, the left-hander hadn’t given up more than two runs since an April 23 start against the host Chicago Cubs when he was roughed up for six runs.
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From, there, one begins to understand the gravity of the Jays’ situation in Monday night’s series opener against the visiting Phillies, which Toronto lost 5-2.
Even when the Jays had a runner on third with none out in the sixth inning, Sanchez struck out the top of Toronto’s order. The lone hitter to give Sanchez issues was Ernie Clement, who stroked his seventh homer of the season as he recorded a multi-hit game.
Sanchez went seven complete innings, striking out 10 as he lowered his ERA to 1.54.
On this night, Toronto’s best pitcher was Simeon Woods Richardson, who gave up one hit in four scoreless innings in his Jays debut that was seven years in the making.
Toronto threatened late by bringing the tying run to the plate twice, but it was of little consolation. Climbing out of the early hole was tough enough, made even more daunting knowing Sanchez was on the mound.
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The following are three takeaways on a night Blue Jays hitting coach David Popkins was ejected from the game in the fourth inning for arguing with the home plate umpire.
1. Corbin’s last stand?
Yielding a two-run homer in the second inning is never ideal.
Loading the bases two innings later when two walks are allowed and when a hit batter unfolds speak to major issues. Throw in a third walk and damage becomes inevitable.
Welcome to Patrick Corbin’s world.
He provided a much-needed lift when the Jays’ starting rotation was marred by injuries. With the injured arms returning, one wonders if Corbin’s time is coming to an end or whether a role change is on the horizon, assuming he’s amenable.
For someone whom the Jays doled out $1 million to sign, it was money well spent.
In his 12th start of the season, Corbin went a season-low three innings, while the five earned runs were a season high.
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2. Leaders of the pack
The night featured two of baseball’s elite leadoff hitters in George Springer and Kyle Schwarber, the respective designated hitters for the Jays and Phillies.
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Each is known for going deep, occasionally forcing pitchers to go deep into counts.
When the Jays made their run last season, Springer emerged as the offensive catalyst.
He hasn’t been as productive in 2026 and has twice been hit on the same big toe on his front foot, each time against the Minnesota Twins, including a foul tip that resulted in a fracture.
Schwarber, if you recall, hit three home runs in one game back on Sept. 3, 2024, when Philly was in town. He entered the night having hit 23 dingers this season.
In his first at-bat on Monday, he struck out swinging on a slider.
Springer will forever be known in Toronto for last fall’s three-run dinger in Game 7 of the ALCS against Seattle.
Perhaps another momentous swing awaits, but keep in mind he has yet to regain last year’s form that vaulted the veteran into the MVP conversation.
In his first at-bat Monday, Springer swung through an elevated fastball.
Schwarber made a loud out in the third inning.
Springer had a non-competitive at-bat in his second plate appearance and struck out.
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Schwarber drew a leadoff walk in the fourth when Adam Macko was on the mound.
In the sixth, Schwarber faced his third pitcher on the night when the Jays had Woods Richardson on the mound. He flew out.
As for Springer, he struck out for the third time in his third at-bat en route to an 0-for-4 night, while his leadoff counterpart went 1-for-4.
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3. A-Mayzing gesture
In the first inning, the Jays paid tribute to Tim Mayza, whose seven-year run with the club featured far more good moments than bad.
By the end of his run, the left-hander reliever wasn’t effective and the decision was made to part ways.
Judging by the ovation he received and the reciprocal gesture made by Mayza, absolutely no hard feelings exist nor should they.
Some may wonder why a setup man would receive a tribute and no doubt many did. The fact is Mayza was good during his days with the Jays and no one can utter a bad word about him.
Make no mistake because he did not have the same impact as Chris Bassitt, who was feted when the Baltimore was in town.
Entering the night, Mayza had pitched in 29 innings for the Phillies.
Up next
It doesn’t get an easier for the Jays, who are scheduled to face Zack Wheeler (5-1, 2.31 ERA) Tuesday night (7:07 p.m. first pitch); Dylan Cease, whose last start came on May 24 when he exited with a hamstring issue, will be back on the mound in a duel of high-end righties.
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