Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene is a great prop target on Monday.
The Toronto Blue Jays watched another win slip away after their bullpen faltered once more. Bo Bichette’s heroics weren’t enough to save them as the Cincinnati Reds walked off with a 5-4 victory on Monday.
Bichette Shines, But Lead Vanishes Fast
Bo Bichette delivered when his team needed him most. His two-run homer in the top of the ninth gave Toronto a 4-3 lead. It was his fourth hit of the game and pushed his MLB-leading hit tally to 176. For a brief moment, it looked like the Blue Jays had stolen momentum.
But the joy didn’t last. Reliever Tommy Nance allowed two baserunners, forcing a quick move to Brendon Little. He surrendered a TJ Friedl double, then a Noelvi Marte walk-off single sealed the Reds’ win. In a matter of minutes, Bichette’s clutch moment was erased.
Bullpen Issues Continue to Mount
Toronto’s bullpen problems are becoming impossible to ignore. In August, Blue Jays relievers posted a 4.76 ERA, five blown saves, and the league’s worst walk rate at 14.2 percent. Monday’s collapse marked yet another painful reminder of the struggles.
Starter Chris Bassitt sympathized with his relievers. “Those guys are tired,” he said. Manager John Schneider echoed the sentiment, noting the mental grind. “The life of a reliever is tough. You’ve got to have a short memory. This is the big leagues.”
Bassitt’s Strong Start Wasted
Chris Bassitt gave Toronto a chance. He battled through command issues and pitched into the seventh inning, striking out six while allowing just two runs. His outing kept the Blue Jays close on a day the bullpen was thin.
Still, Bassitt blamed himself. “I feel like I cost us the game not getting through the seventh,” he admitted. “I know our bullpen is worn down. We need length from our starters.”
On the other side, Reds starter Hunter Greene was electric. He struck out seven, allowed only one run, and averaged 99.5 mph with his fastball. Outside of Bichette, the Blue Jays lineup struggled to make any impact.
Offensive Woes Add to Frustration
While Bichette looked unstoppable at the plate, the rest of the team combined for just four hits. Schneider praised Bichette’s approach but admitted the lineup lacked balance. Without support, his four-hit day wasn’t enough to overcome Greene or the bullpen’s collapse.
Rotation Shuffles and Roster Moves
Before the game, Toronto announced adjustments to its rotation and roster. Shane Bieber will now start Wednesday in Cincinnati, while Eric Lauer shifts to the bullpen. That move ensures Kevin Gausman, Max Scherzer, and Bassitt are lined up for the Yankees series.
The Blue Jays also added reliever Dillon Tate and utility man Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Tate bolsters the bullpen, while Kiner-Falefa provides defensive flexibility across the infield and outfield.
Eyes on the Playoff Push
The loss dropped Toronto to 79-59. They’ve now dropped three of their last four games, raising urgency as the playoff race heats up. Bichette remained focused on the bigger goal. “We’ve got to win the division,” he said. “We have an opportunity, but we haven’t done it yet.”
With Jose Berrios scheduled to start Tuesday, the Blue Jays will try to rebound quickly. Their rotation depth may be the key to easing the bullpen’s workload down the stretch. Bassitt remains confident. “Our starters are good enough to go deep into games. That’s how we help the bullpen.”
The message is clear: if the Blue Jays want to stay alive in the AL East race, their starting pitchers must carry the load until the bullpen regains stability.
