Blue Jays seek to shake off bullpen troubles in finale against Twins

The Toronto Blue Jays are facing some bullpen questions that will continue past the rubber match in their three-game series against the visiting Minnesota Twins on Wednesday night.

Despite being fortified at the trade deadline, Toronto's bullpen continues to be inconsistent entering the stretch drive.

It was never more evident than in the ninth inning on Tuesday when closer Jeff Hoffman allowed two homers and four runs in a 7-5 loss to the Twins that brought boos from the crowd. Toronto won the opener on Monday, 10-4.

On Tuesday, the American League East-leading Blue Jays could not hold a 4-0 lead against the struggling Twins, who had lost three games in a row.

If any bullpen changes are being considered, Toronto manager John Schneider is not letting on. He continued to express confidence in his relievers.

"We've gotten to this point for a reason, and the trust will never, ever waver with those guys coming out of the 'pen," Schneider said. "Some nights you don't have it. Tonight was one of those nights."

Relievers Brendon Little and Louis Varland, the latter obtained at the trade deadline from the Twins last month, also continued to struggle on Tuesday. The Blue Jays still led 4-3 entering the ninth with the help of some poor running on the bases by the Twins that cost them outs.

Twins catcher Mickey Gasper ended an 0-for-27 drought -- he had not had a hit since July 26 -- with three hits that included his first career major league homer to lead off the ninth against Hoffman. A single and a hit batter later, Matt Wallner slammed his fourth homer of the series to give Minnesota the lead.

Hoffman, who has a 6.75 ERA in his past seven outings, has blown two straight save opportunities. He has allowed 12 home runs in 54 2/3 innings.

Hoffman has 28 saves in 35 opportunities.

"Hoff has been so good," Schneider said. "The closer's role is scrutinized like my role, like a couple different roles in this game, and that comes with it, but when he's available and we want to save a game, I will bring him in. He has shown he can do it."

Toronto scored once in the ninth Tuesday, but the game ended on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 's routine flyout to right. Guerrero, in his second start as designated hitter on his return from a hamstring injury, was 0-for-4 with a sacrifice fly and a double-play grounder.

Toronto is scheduled to start left-hander Eric Lauer (8-2, 2.76 ERA) on Wednesday. He pitched 2 1/3 one-hit relief innings to earn the 6-4 win against the Twins on June 6 and is 1-2 with a 7.59 ERA against them in three career outings (two starts) against them.

Minnesota is slated to go with right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson (5-4, 4.24), a former Blue Jays prospect. He has one career start against Toronto, a no-decision outing last season in which he allowed five runs in 4 1/3 innings.

The Twins could complete their six-game road trip with a split by winning on Wednesday.

"We're in every game," Gasper said. "Our defense wasn't crisp, our baserunning wasn't crisp, but we found a way to win that game, just by not giving up and sticking to it."

Gasper also threw out Ernie Clement trying to steal in the eighth.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said he was impressed by the way his players responded to mistakes.

"We pressed on," he said. "We had some guys come up huge. That was so enjoyable to watch."

--Field Level Media

--Field Level Media