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Berrios dragged to worst start in two months, Blue Jays blitzed by Arraez’s Marlins

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1 year ago

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MIAMI — As wild as it would’ve been to suggest only 12 weeks ago as spring training broke, Jose Berrios entered Monday’s start against the Miami Marlins as the Toronto Blue Jays’ most reliable source of length from its rotation.

He’d pitched into the sixth inning in each of his last 11 outings. He’d gone at least five innings in 13 of his 14 starts. Kevin Gausman’s done that 12 of his 15 times out; Chris Bassitt in 11 of 15.

But facing a plucky, contact-oriented Marlins team that’s been quietly piling up wins while playing one of MLB’s softest schedules, Berrios couldn’t make it 14 of 15. He bled base hits from the jump, got dragged deep into counts, and threw 30 pitches in two of his four innings as the Marlins wore on Berrios throughout his worst start in over two months and blitzed the Blue Jays 11-0.

“They made him work. Threw a lot of pitches. Ran deep counts. I think the execution just wasn’t quite there with either fastball or breaking ball,” said Blue Jays manager John Schneider. “Good lineup, they’re playing well right now. And I think pitch count just got him today.”

Blue Jays’ Schneider on inconsistent pitching of late: ‘It puts you in a bind’

After back-to-back games that saw Toronto’s starter depart in the fourth inning — one by design in Saturday’s bullpen game; the other by necessity as Bassitt struggled to contain hard contact Sunday — this was the last thing the Blue Jays needed. They’ve now essentially thrown three consecutive bullpen days, asking relievers and a position player to record 40 of 72 outs over that span.

Here’s a sentence: Good thing the Blue Jays recalled Trent Thornton Monday as an insurance policy, optioning Bowden Francis to open a roster spot. He followed Berrios and threw 24 pitches over two clean innings, buying Schneider some much-needed breathing room in the middle of Monday’s debacle.

But Schneider was still forced to use Nate Pearson on back-to-back days for only the third time this season — he threw 22 pitches while giving up three runs on Sunday — which did not go well. The Marlins shortened up and put wood on the big right-hander’s big velocity, fouling off seven upper-90’s-to-low-100’s fastballs while putting two others in play.

After allowing five of the six batters he faced to reach, Pearson gave way to Mitch White, who also worked the day prior, throwing 31 pitches. He surrendered Luis Arraez’s fifth single of the night — the contact king’s third five-hit performance of the season and second in three days raised his batting average to .400 — before allowing the rest of the runners Pearson left behind to score as the snowball barrelled downhill.

Marlins’ Arraez dominates Blue Jays, rockets back to .400 with five-hit night

Utility infielder Ernie Clement took the mound in the eighth, chucking an inning of batting practice at 50-80 mph, and earned three outs on 18 pitches.

“You hate having a position player out there at any point in time,” Schneider said. “Unfortunately, that’s where we landed today.”

Yusei Kikuchi — effectively wild at the best of times — starts Tuesday, which is no given for a deep outing. The Blue Jays have been reticent to allow Kikuchi, who began the season as the club’s fifth starter, to journey too far into a third trip through the order, routinely pulling him after five innings even with pitch counts in the 80’s.

Berrios not surprised with Arraez’s absurd batting average: ‘I’m happy for him’

But given how things have gone lately — plus the looming reality of a 12:10 p.m. ET start Wednesday — Schneider may not enjoy that luxury if Kikuchi is anything close to pitch efficient.

Rolling a four-man rotation and routinely sending pitching coach Pete Walker to the bullpen phone early in games, Schneider’s in-game decision-making over the last week has been less about putting pitchers in optimal matchups and more about deciphering who can get his team its requisite 27 — often 24 on this losing road trip — outs.

Blue Jays crushing loss to Marlins displays how team hasn’t connected on all fronts

“It puts you in a bind,” Schneider said. “You get guys over-worked a little bit and I think you see the results, too.”

Berrios was able to contain the Marlins attack early Monday, casually working his way out of a two-on, none-out jam in the first and stranding a one-out double in the second. But after Arraez led off the third with a single, as he does, Jorge Soler punished a 2-0 Berrios breaking ball 411-feet over the left-centre field wall for a two-run shot.

“We threw him a sinker and then a curveball for a ball,” Berrios said. “And then when I tried to make that curveball for a strike, I left it right in the middle and he got me.”

And the loud contact didn’t end there, as it took a tremendous diving effort by Kevin Kiermaier to rob Bryan De La Cruz of a hit in right-centre before Jesus Sanchez rocketed a full-count slurve to the base of the left field wall for a double. Sanchez ultimately scored on a Garrett Cooper single to shallow left-centre.

Blue Jays’ Kiermaier adds to his highlight reel with another diving snag

After a mound visit from Walker, Berrios got himself out of it with a pair of strikeouts. But not before throwing 34 pitches in the inning. Considering his ballooning pitch count, Berrios beginning the fourth by loading the bases with a walk, hit batter, and Arraez’s third single of the night — also his 100th hit of the season in only his 67th game — was less than ideal.

And so, Thornton began to warm in the Blue Jays bullpen as the runs began to cross home plate. The first on a sacrifice fly; the next on a groundout to first. By the time he got out of it, Berrios had thrown 100 pitches and allowed five runs on eight hits. Which is where his night ended as the Blue Jays got less than five innings from a starter for the fourth time in five games.

“They were taking good pitches. In and off. Pitches that looked like a strike but were off. They were taking it — they weren’t swinging at that pitch. So, I think that’s why they got better results against me,” Berrios said. “I was trying to be aggressive, attack them. I was trying to throw quality pitches. But they were taking them. So, I was getting behind them. They made me work. I threw 100 pitches in just four innings. But I’m just trying to compete. And they did better than me.”

Meanwhile, the Blue Jays offence couldn’t sustain any of the momentum it generated Sunday during a mini, six-run breakout in Texas. Toronto hitters went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and squandered what few opportunities they generated, scoring fewer than four runs for the fifth time in six games. It was Toronto’s first shutout of the season, snapping a 91-game streak of scoring at least one run — the third-longest stretch in franchise history.

Danny Jansen led off the third with an opposite field double off the end of his bat and advanced on a Cavan Biggio grounder to the right side. But neither Kiermaier (soft groundout) nor George Springer (strikeout chasing a slider) could cash him.

Similar refrain in the fourth, as Daulton Varsho and Bo Bichette singles put runners on first and second with none out for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who promptly grounded into a double play on the first pitch he saw. Guerrero swung at a good pitch to hit and the ball came off his bat at 113.7-m.p.h., his seventh-hardest hit ball in play of the season and the fourth-hardest hit double play ball across MLB this season.

“It’s been the theme for us a little bit. Looking at Vladdy’s double play — he hits it, whatever he did, 114. That’s kind of where we’re at,” Schneider said. “We’ve been talking about it for a little bit. And hopefully the numbers neutralize and things start going our way.”

Spencer Horwitz — elevated to the five hole in only his second MLB game as the club sought to space out its left-handed hitters and optimize matchups on a Marlins bullpen day — worked a long plate appearance with Varsho on third, but went down looking at a called third strike at the letters.

Base hits by Kiermaier, Horwitz, Springer, and Bichette were stranded in the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth, respectively.

“You need to string together a couple of hits with guys on,” Schneider said. “Whether it’s getting a guy in from third with less than two or getting a couple of hits in a row like we did yesterday in Texas. And, sooner or later, you’ve got to hit a home run with a couple guys on base, too.”

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CN workers in Jasper face uncertainty as company plans to move rail ops an hour away

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6 hours ago

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September 19, 2024

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MONTREAL – Canadian National Railway Co. told employees this week it plans to relocate its operations in Jasper to near Hinton, Alta., about 100 kilometres away.

In a memo sent to employees in the fire-ravaged town, the company said it’s aiming to increase efficiency by minimizing train stops between Edmonton and Blue River, B.C., which sits across the Rockies.

CN plans to close its Jasper bunkhouse and build a crew change facility east of Hinton, with workers slated to clock in at the new site starting in September 2025, according to the document obtained by The Canadian Press.

“CN has made the decision to implement operational changes to improve network fluidity,” regional vice-president Nicole James said in the memo.

The union representing rail workers criticized the relocation, which affects about 200 employees, though no layoffs are expected.

“This is another devastating blow to the town of Jasper, after this year’s catastrophic wildfires. Rail is one of the largest industries in Jasper, after tourism, and CN’s move will cripple this community even further,” said Paul Boucher, president of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference.

“And for the workers who’ve already lost so much — some even their homes — this is a truly cruel blow.”

Union spokesman Christopher Monette noted that most residents or their spouses must work in town to qualify to live there under Jasper National Park’s residency rules. The company has told the union it will apply for an exception for the workers, he said.

CN spokeswoman Ashley Michnowski says the railway is committed to supporting employees through the transition and keeping them updated.

“These types of changes take time to fully plan out and implement. That’s why one of our initial steps was to have this discussion with our employees as well as advising the town of Jasper,” she said in an email.

A wildfire ripped through Jasper in July, destroying a third of the mountain town and displacing many of its 4,800 residents.

The blaze also caused smoke damage to the CN bunkhouse, which the company says it has worked to restore since it was allowed to re-enter the community with contractors on Aug. 16.

Engineers and conductors have been reporting for work in Hinton, roughly an hour away, since the wildfire.

With roots as a fur trade outpost, Jasper launched as a railway town in the early 20th century after tracks built by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway — CN’s predecessor — paved the way for the municipality.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.

Companies in this story: (TSX:CNR)

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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Red Wings sign Moritz Seider to 7-year deal worth nearly $60M

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11 hours ago

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September 19, 2024

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DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Red Wings made another investment this week in a young standout, signing Moritz Seider to a seven-year contract worth nearly $60 million.

The Red Wings announced the move with the 23-year-old German defenseman on Thursday, three days after keeping 22-year-old forward Lucas Raymond with a $64.6 million, eight-year deal.

Detroit drafted Seider with the No. 6 pick overall eight years ago and he has proven to be a great pick. He has 134 career points, the most by a defenseman drafted in 2019.

He was the NHL’s only player to have at least 200 hits and block 200-plus shots last season, when he scored a career-high nine goals and had 42 points for the second straight year.

Seider won the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie in 2022 after he had a career-high 50 points.

Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is banking on Seider, whose contract will count $8.55 million annually against the cap, and Raymond to turn a rebuilding team into a winner.

Detroit has failed to make the playoffs in eight straight seasons, the longest postseason drought in franchise history.

The Red Wings, who won four Stanley Cups from 1997 to 2008, have been reeling since their run of 25 straight postseasons ended in 2016.

Detroit was 41-32-9 last season and finished with a winning record for the first time since its last playoff appearance.

Yzerman re-signed Patrick Kane last summer and signed some free agents, including Vladimir Tarasenko to a two-year contract worth $9.5 million after he helped the Florida Panthers hoist the Cup.

___

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Veterans Tyson Beukeboom, Karen Paquin lead Canada’s team at WXV rugby tournament

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12 hours ago

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September 19, 2024

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Veterans Tyson Beukeboom and Karen Paquin will lead Canada at the WXV 1 women’s rugby tournament starting later this month in the Vancouver area.

WXV 1 includes the top three teams from the Women’s Six Nations (England, France and Ireland) and the top three teams from the Pacific Four Series (Canada, New Zealand, and the United States).

Third-ranked Canada faces No. 4 France, No. 7 Ireland and No. 1 England in the elite division of the three-tiered WXV tournament that runs Sept. 29 to Oct. 12 in Vancouver and Langley, B.C. No. 2 New Zealand and the eighth-ranked U.S. make up the six-team WVX 1 field.

“Our preparation time was short but efficient. This will be a strong team,” Canada coach Kevin Rouet said in a statement. “All the players have worked very hard for the last couple of weeks to prepare for WXV and we are excited for these next three matches and for the chance to play on home soil here in Vancouver against the best rugby teams in the world.

“France, Ireland and England will each challenge us in different ways but it’s another opportunity to test ourselves and another step in our journey to the Rugby World Cup next year.”

Beukeboom serves as captain in the injury absence of Sophie de Goede. The 33-year-old from Uxbridge, Ont., earned her Canadian-record 68th international cap in Canada’s first-ever victory over New Zealand in May at the Pacific Four Series.

Twenty three of the 30 Canadian players selected for WXV 1 were part of that Pacific Four Series squad.

Rouet’s roster includes the uncapped Asia Hogan-Rochester, Caroline Crossley and Rori Wood.

Hogan-Rochester and Crossley were part of the Canadian team that won rugby sevens silver at the Paris Olympics, along with WXV teammates Fancy Bermudez, Olivia Apps, Alysha Corrigan and Taylor Perry. Wood is a veteran of five seasons at UBC.

The 37-year-old Paquin, who has 38 caps for Canada including the 2014 Rugby World Cup, returns to the team for the first time since the 2021 World Cup.

Canada opens the tournament Sept. 29 against France at B.C. Place Stadium in Vancouver before facing Ireland on Oct. 5 at Willoughby Stadium at Langley Events Centre, and England on Oct. 12 at B.C. Place.

The second-tier WXV 2 and third-tier WXV 3 are slated to run Sept. 27 to Oct. 12, in South Africa and Dubai, respectively.

WXV 2 features Australia, Italy, Japan, Scotland, South Africa and Wales while WXV 3 is made up of Fiji, Hong Kong, Madagascar, the Netherlands, Samoa and Spain.

The tournament has 2025 World Cup qualification implications, although Canada, New Zealand and France, like host England, had already qualified by reaching the semifinals of the last tournament.

Ireland, South Africa, the U.S., Japan, Fiji and Brazil have also booked their ticket, with the final six berths going to the highest-finishing WXV teams who have not yet qualified through regional tournaments.

Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team WXV 1 Squad

Forwards

Alexandria Ellis, Ottawa, Stade Français Paris (France); Brittany Kassil, Guelph, Ont., Guelph Goats; Caroline Crossley, Victoria, Castaway Wanderers; Courtney Holtkamp, Rimbey, Alta., Red Deer Titans Rugby; DaLeaka Menin, Vulcan, Alta., Exeter Chiefs (England); Emily Tuttosi, Souris, Man., Exeter Chiefs (England); Fabiola Forteza, Quebec City, Stade Bordelais (France); Gabrielle Senft, Regina, Saracens (England); Gillian Boag, Calgary, Gloucester-Hartpury (England); Julia Omokhuale, Calgary, Leicester Tigers (England); Karen Paquin, Quebec City, Club de rugby de Quebec; Laetitia Royer, Loretteville, Que., ASM Romagnat (France); McKinley Hunt, King City, Ont., Saracens (England); Pamphinette Buisa, Gatineau, Que., Ottawa Irish; Rori Wood, Sooke, B.C., College Rifles RFC; Sara Cline, Edmonton, Leprechaun Tigers; Tyson Beukeboom, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England);

Backs

Alexandra Tessier, Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Que., Exeter Chiefs (England); Alysha Corrigan, Charlottetown, P.E.I., CRFC; Asia Hogan-Rochester, Toronto, Toronto Nomads; Claire Gallagher, Caledon, Ont., Leicester Tigers (England); Fancy Bermudez, Edmonton, Saracens (England); Julia Schell, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Justine Pelletier, Rivière-du-Loup, Que, Stade Bordelais (France); Mahalia Robinson, Fulford, Que., Town of Mount Royal RFC; Olivia Apps, Lindsay, Ont., Lindsay RFC; Paige Farries, Red Deer, Alta., Saracens (England); Sara Kaljuvee, Ajax, Ont., Westshore RFC; Shoshanah Seumanutafa, White Rock, B.C., Counties Manukau (New Zealand); Taylor Perry, Oakville, Ont., Exeter Chiefs (England).

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 18, 2024.

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