Hoffman blows late lead as Blue Jays head into all-star break with tough loss
SAN DIEGO – Six outs away from a hard-fought win on the road, the Toronto Blue Jays handed the ball to Jeff Hoffman.
Tyler Rogers had just pitched a clean seventh. Louis Varland was mentally preparing himself for the ninth. Within reach: a series win, a 5-4 road trip and a strong finish to a challenging first half.
But Xander Bogaerts led off the inning with a single and promptly stole second. Manny Machado then singled home Bogaerts to tie the game 4-4 and pinch runner Jase Bowen stole another base against Hoffman, setting up a go-ahead sacrifice fly from former Blue Jay Ty France.
Three Mason Miller outs later, the San Diego Padres had defeated the Blue Jays 5-4 and the first half of........
