They allowed the situation to linger for too long, and then everything went wrong. The Blue Jays initially capitalized on Washington starter Patrick Corbin’s struggles, scoring three runs in the second inning. However, they failed to build on that lead, allowing the Nationals to mount a comeback and ultimately secure a 9-3 victory at Nationals Park on Friday night.
Corbin, known for his poor performance over the past four years with a high ERA of 6.82, continued to struggle early in the game, conceding walks and hits that led to the Jays’ early lead. Despite this, the Jays failed to maintain their momentum, allowing Corbin to settle in and pitch six innings, which was a rare occurrence considering his recent form.
Although Jays starter Yusei Kikuchi performed admirably, only allowing one run through six innings, the bullpen couldn’t hold the lead after his departure. Erik Swanson, in particular, had a rough outing, surrendering crucial hits and ultimately allowing the Nationals to take the lead with a decisive home run by pinch-hitter Luis Garcia Jr.
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The bullpen’s struggles continued as they conceded multiple runs, with a significant portion being unearned due to defensive errors. This loss extends the Jays’ recent poor form, as they have now lost nine of their last 12 games, dropping them three games below a .500 winning percentage for the season.
