Blue Jays no match for lowly Chicago White Sox in series opener

National Post

5 hours ago

In his first start for the Blue Jays, veteran right-hander Spencer Turnbull didn't exactly leave a stirring first impression.
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In fact, he left a lot to be desired.
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Turnbull's outing took a turn for the worse two batters into the evening when he served up a home run to Andrew Benintendi.
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The visiting Chicago White Sox were off and running, while the Jays continued to play from their heels.
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On Pride Night at Rogers Centre, not many prideful moments could be mustered as the Pale Hose took the series opener, 7-1.
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A day earlier in the series finale against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks, the Jays, who were looking for a sweep, trailed 9-1 before saving some face in an eventual 9-5 loss.
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As for Turnbull, he faced 12 White Sox hitters and allowed seven to reach base.
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His 45-pitch outing was one to forget, a regrettable night featuring five hits and two walks.
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A four-run fourth inning by the ChiSox would extend the lead to 7-0.
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The Jays didn't get their first man on base until Bo Bichette's leadoff single in the fourth, only to be erased on an inning-ending double play.
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The Jays finally mounted some kind of threat in the fifth inning when they loaded the bases with one out only to see Tyler Heineman hit into a double play.
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It was that kind of night.
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At least the evening did usher in the return of Nathan Lukes and Nick Sandlin, each activated off the injured list.
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Lukes started in left field and would make a nice catch at the wall, while also recording one hit in the loss.
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Bichette added a double in the home half of the frame, but was left stranded, and drove in the Jays' lone run in the eighth to complete his three-hit evening.
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Chad Green became the fifth pitcher the Jays used when he started the seventh inning.
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Through six innings, the Jays' offence had recorded a total of five hits.
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On any given day or night, any team, even the lowly White Sox, who brought a 23-52 record into the evening, can topple an opponent who boasts a better record.
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What made Friday's loss so alarming was how meekly the Blue Jays succumbed, how quickly they dug themselves a hole and how emphatic they would lose as their record dropped to 40-35.
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