Veteran pitcher Max Scherzer expressed visible frustration with teammate Jesus Sanchez after the outfielder committed two costly defensive errors during the Toronto Blue Jays' 7-6 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday. The incidents occurred in the first and fourth innings, directly impacting the runs scored by the Rays.
In the first inning, with one out and a runner on base, Sanchez misplayed a routine fly ball that eventually bounced over the wall for a ground-rule double. Following this, the Rays' Yandy Diaz hit a two-run homer. Scherzer, who later acknowledged fault for the pitch, induced a fly ball that might have been affected by the stadium's catwalk, landing near Sanchez before becoming a double.
Scherzer's frustration was more pronounced in the fourth inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Sanchez again misplayed a fly ball hit by Richie Palacious, allowing two runs to score and extending the Rays' lead to 7-1. Scherzer appeared to glare at Sanchez and may have uttered an expletive following the play. The pitcher had been on the verge of escaping the inning before the misplay led to five runs scoring.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider commented on Sanchez's performance, stating, "Today wasn't the best day for him." He added, "I'm sure it's a play [Sánchez] would have liked to have made." Schneider noted Sanchez "kind of looked like he kind of didn't see it. Or saw it and didn't see it." Sanchez did not speak to reporters after the game.
Rays announcer Brian Anderson also criticized the play, stating, "I have no idea — no idea — what he is doing." Anderson observed that the ball "was up there long enough should have been routine, plenty of time to get there and he's running away from it."
Sanchez is not known for his defensive abilities, and these errors were significant for the Blue Jays, who are currently trailing in the race for a Wild Card spot. Scherzer's outing was his shortest of the season, as he completed just four innings and allowed seven runs before being removed from the game.