Blue Jays Hit Five Home Runs, Still Lose To Braves

Despite hitting five home runs, the Blue Jays found away to lose yet another close game. Things looked promising early on when Devon Travis hit a home run in the Jays' first at bat against Julio Teheran. A Russell Martin solo shot in the second, followed by a Josh Donaldson two-run home run in the third, gave the Blue Jays an early 4-2 lead.

Drew Hutchison gave up two runs through the first four innings, before giving up a two-out, two-run hit to the last batter he faced. Hutch left to a tie game, but Roberto Osuna gave up the lead by allowing a triple to Jace Peterson.

Josh Donaldson's second home run of the night tied things up in the bottom-half of the inning. A Jose Bautista walk and Edwin Encarnacion double followed, but the Jays failed to take the lead. With a runner on third and less than two out, Dioner Navarro struck out before Martin grounded out to end the inning.

The game remained tied until Brett Cecil entered in the eighth. He surrendered a pinch-hit home run to Jonny Gomes, before a two-run home run by Freddie Freeman gave the Braves a 3-run lead.

An eighth inning comeback attempt fell just short. Russell Martin hit his second solo shot of the game, before a pair of singles from Dalton Pompey and Kevin Pillar. Devon Travis just missed a game-tying double, but the ball went foul. His eventual groundout scored one, but the Jays couldn't produce another run in the ninth to tie things up.

On Offence:

• Devon Travis: 2 for 5, lead off HR, single, 2 groundouts, line out.
• Josh Donaldson: 2 for 5, 2 HR, K, 2 groundouts. How did the Jays manage to get this guy again?
• Jose Bautista: 0 for 3, 2 BB, ground out, fly out, K.
• Edwin Encarnacion: 2 for 5, double, single, 2 pop outs, fly out.
• Dioner Navarro: 1 for 4, single, deep line out, ground out, 2K.
• Russell Martin: 2 for 3, 2 HR, BB, ground out.
• Dalton Pompey: 1 for 3, single, HBP, infield fly, K. He was also picked off at first in the second.
• Kevin Pillar: 1 for 4, single, 2 lineouts, groundout. Alberto Callaspo robbed him of a double with a diving grab. He later made a diving catch of his own, potentially saving a run for the Jays. Incredible defence thus far.
• Ryan Goins: 0 for 3, sacrifice bunt. Though it was a tough play, he did make an error that later led to a run.

Pitching:

• Drew Hutchison: 4.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 6K, 3 BB. Plenty of strike outs, but plenty of earned runs as well. He did pitch better than his line suggests.
• Roberto Osuna: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2K, 1BB. A diving catch from Pillar helped him avoid giving up a run. He gave up a triple to the first batter he faced, adding an earned run to Drew Hutchison's total.
• Aaron Loup: Pitched a clean 7^th, in a tie game.
• Brett Cecil: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER. Gave up home runs to Jonny Gomes and Freddie Freeman, which ended up costing the Jays the game.
• Liam Hendriks: 0.1 IP. Induced a fly-out to the only batter he faced
• Miguel Castro: 1 IP, a two-out walk kept him from a clean inning.

The Jays of the day are Josh Donaldson (.240) and Russell Martin (.145), who both hit two home runs. Suckage goes to Brett Cecil (-.420), Drew Hutchison (-.253) and Dioner Navarro (-.223).

Tough loss, as it really feels like the Blue Jays outplayed the Braves today. It would be nice to win some close games. R.A. Dickey goes up against left-hander Alex Wood in game two tomorrow, which will be a nice change for the Jays' right-handed heavy lineup. If the Jays get back to .500, the Raptors win the first game of their playoff series, and the Leafs win the draft lottery tomorrow, it would sure help Toronto sports fans forget about today's game.