Blue Jays fall to short-handed Royals in series opener

John Schneider’sInterim Manager Blue JaysThe manager was a complacent rout. His followup game ThursdayA 3-1 loss to a last-place Kansas CityThe team was missing nearly half its regular roster

“This is way worse than last night,”The affable SchneiderHe laughed as he sat for a postgame media availability.

Bobby Witt Jr.. and Nate EatonHomered as RoyalsA patchwork crew was used toYou will win openerA four-game set seriesat Rogers Centre.

WithTen roster players not permitted to travel to CanadaDue to their COVID-19 vaccine status Kansas CityEight players were called from minor-league affiliates prior to the game.

“You don’t want to say this was a letdown game,” Schneider said. “I think it was a little bit of an unlucky game and that’s going to happen over the course of the year, and it sucks that it happened tonight.”

Double-A call-up Angel Zerpa(2-0) seized the opportunity and allowed only one earned run, four runs and two walks in five innings. Relievers Jackson KowarAnd Taylor ClarkeKeep it up TorontoThere is a scoreboard. Scott BarlowHe closed it for his 16th save.

“One of the best wins of the year, all things considered,” said RoyalsManager Mike Matheny.

OnePositive for TorontoThat was it Kevin Gausman(6-7), threw six innings inHe made his first appearance since he took a liner off of his ankle inA game is July 2. HeFor seven hits, two earned run and two walks, while striking out six.

“I needed” toGet back out there

“Great to get him back out there before the [all-star] break,” Schneider said. “We liked what we saw obviously. Everything was there as it is usually is. Just a couple bad pitches – that’s it.”

Gausman saidThe ankle felt at 85 percent. It was also a bit swollen and bruised.

“It was just me knowing that this is going to be maybe painful but we need to get through it,”He said. “It has been 12 days and so I needed to get back out there.”

Matt ChapmanFor the, hit a single homer Blue Jays (47-43). Danny JansenAnd Alejandro KirkTwo hits were each recorded.

GausmanWe gave up on our backs-toSingles with a back inThe second inning, before the big-league first at-bats were lost. Nick PrattoAnd EatonWith strikeouts The veteran right-hander got Nicky LopezFor the third out, a groundout is required.

Kansas CityScores opened at (36-53) inThe fifth after LopezLed off with a double, and then moved toThird place on a sacrifice basket. HeWhen Edward OlivaresA ball should be lined toBefore being thrown out at the second base, he was in right field.

WittHe was followed by his 13th homer for the season. ChapmanAnswered inThe bottom half, with his 14th homer for the year.

WithRunning runners at the corners inThe eighth inning, left fielder Lourdes Gurriel JrWith a nice dive catch on a sinking liners,., the deficit was kept to a single run Ryan O’Hearn.

Bo BichetteReached on a 2-out walk inThe TorontoThe frame was half-finished before it was called out for a attempted theft of base. TheCall was overturned upon review, but he was left stranded. Teoscar HernandezGet grounded.

Anthony Banda gave up a solo shot to EatonHis first big-league homer in his career inThe ninth inning.

Kansas CityOuthit Toronto 12-7. AnnouncedThe attendance was 24,426. The game lasted three hour. to play.