Slumping Blue Jays off to worst start in 13 years
The Toronto Blue Jays are finally heading home, but only after a disastrous start to their 2017 season.
Sunday's 7-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field dropped the Blue Jays to 1-5 on the young season. It's the first time they've started 1-5 out of the gate since 2004, according to Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com. That 2004 team couldn't shake off its opening slide, and went on to lose 12 of its first 16 contests en route to a 94-loss campaign.
During this season-opening road trip in Baltimore and Tampa Bay, Toronto was outscored 28-20 combined by the Orioles and Rays, lost twice in extra innings (including a walk-off walk on Saturday), and were forced to place reliever J.P. Howell on the disabled list with a shoulder issue. While Josh Donaldson homered, the team's vaunted offense was non-existent Sunday; Jose Bautista is hitting just .136 through the first six games, while catcher Russell Martin has yet to record a hit this season.
A much bigger concern after Sunday would be the health of Donaldson, who left Sunday's contest in the sixth inning due to right calf tightness. Donaldson missed a large portion of spring training thanks to a calf issue; his status going forward remains unknown.
The Blue Jays will now look to shake off the horrid start when they host the Milwaukee Brewers at Rogers Centre on Tuesday in their home opener.