Kikuchi, Blue Jays aim to avoid sweep against Guardians – Sportsnet.ca

Left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi heads to the hill Sunday afternoon as the Toronto Blue Jays take on the Cleveland Guardians looking to snap a five-game losing streak and avoid a second straight sweep.

Kikuchi’s previous outing against the Boston Red Sox last Monday kickstarted the skid. Although Kikuchi (4-6, 3.65 ERA) had zero walks and seven strikeouts, that was offset with five runs, all earned, on seven hits over four innings as Toronto fell 7-3.

The Blue Jays have been outscored 31-13 during their losing streak and have scored no more than three runs in any game.

Toronto lost 6-3 Saturday with infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa hitting two solo home runs and outfielder Davis Schneider added another.

Schneider is batting 7-for-34 with a double, three home runs and five RBIs over his past 10 games.

Right-handed pitcher Jose Berrios took the loss after giving up five runs, all earned, on six hits with one walk and three strikeouts over five innings.

The Blue Jays also lost outfielder Daulton Varsho, who is considered day-to-day with lower back tightness. Varsho hit a grounder during his last at-bat in the ninth inning but never left the batter’s box area as he dropped to the field. Manager John Schneider came out to assist Varsho back to the dugout.

After coming close to levelling their record to .500, the Blue Jays are now 35-41 and sit last in the American League East. The Guardians top the AL Central with a 48-26 record.

Cleveland will counter with right-hander Triston McKenzie on the mound. McKenzie (3-4, 4.48) will look to rebound from his shortest start of the season after pitching just 2.1 innings, giving up four runs on three hits and four walks, during an 8-5 loss to the Seattle Mariners last Tuesday.

First baseman Josh Naylor, from Mississauga, Ont., is hitting 13-for-38 with three homers and 10 RBIs over his past 10 games.

Watch the Blue Jays take on the Guardians live on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ with first pitch scheduled for 1:40 p.m. ET / 10:40 p.m. PT.