Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (8/13/23): Blue Jays 11, Cubs 4 – Jays Put on Var-Show in Rout

The Cubs’ attempt to sweep the Blue Jays came up short on Sunday at Rogers Centre as one bad inning and a shaky performance from the recently reliable Jameson Taillon did Chicago in. Dansby Swanson gave the Cubs a 2-0 lead in the top of the 1st inning with a two-run double off Hyun Jin Ryu. and things looked promising. Then the wheels came off for Taillon in the bottom of the 2nd and the Jays scored five runs.

An infield hit and a hit batter put two on for Daulton Varsho, who cracked a go-ahead three-run homer to right field. Later in the frame, back-to-back RBI singles from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer made it a 5-2 game.

Toronto added on in the 4th inning when Guerrero had another run-scoring single to knock Taillon from the contest. Hayden Wesneski entered and surrendered a base hit to Varsho that plated two more and buried Chicago under an 8-2 avalanche.

Patrick Wisdom put a dent in the deficit with a two-run bomb to dead center in the top of the 7th inning. The Blue Jays beat up on Caleb Kilian in the 8th and the Cubs went on to lose 11-4. (Box score)

Key Moment

Wisdom couldn’t handle a Cavan Biggio line drive hit to him at first base to begin the 2nd inning. The play was generously ruled a hit and things fell apart after what appeared to be a makable play wasn’t made. It probably wouldn’t have mattered with Taillon’s poor effort but it certainly didn’t help.

Why the Cubs Lost

A bad starting pitching performance against this powerful Blue Jays lineup can make the score ugly in a hurry and that is exactly what happened Sunday.

Stats That Matter

• Let’s hope this is an aberration and not a return to first-half form for Taillon: 4 IP, 8 R, 8 H, 2 K, and 2 BB.
• Swanson was the only hitter to do much for the Cubs, reaching base three times.

Bottom Line

Chicago had a successful weekend in Toronto despite Sunday’s result, winning the series and maintaining their ground in the Wild Card race. The North Siders now enter a two-week stretch against four very bad opponents while their playoff rivals play significantly better competition. They have to take advantage of this opportunity by beating up on inferior teams.

On Deck

After a day off Monday, the Cubs return to Wrigley to begin the second half of the Crosstown Cup against the lousy White Sox Tuesday at 7:05pm CT. Kyle Hendricks gets the nod against Touki Toussaint with broadcasts on Marquee and 670 The Score.