Hoffman blows late lead as Blue Jays head into all-star break with tough loss
The Toronto Blue Jays suffered a late-game loss to the San Diego Padres after a blown save by pitcher Jeff Hoffman. The defeat leaves the team struggling near the bottom of the league as they head into the all-star break with slim playoff hopes.
Why it matters
The loss underscores the team's ongoing performance issues and the mounting pressure to secure a wild-card spot.
SAN DIEGO — Six outs away from a hard-fought win on the road, the Blue Jays handed the ball to Jeff Hoffman.
Tyler Rogers had just pitched a clean seventh inning. Louis Varland was mentally preparing himself for the ninth. Within reach: a series win, a 5-4 road trip and a strong finish to a challenging first half.
But Xander Bogaerts led off the eighth with a single and promptly stole second. Manny Machado then singled home Bogaerts to tie the game 4-4, and pinch runner Jase Bowen stole another base against Hoffman, setting up a go-ahead sacrifice fly from former Blue Jay Ty France.
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