This past offseason, the Toronto Blue Jays were often scrutinized for various plays they actually made or didn't make. One of those moves was the failure to re-sign star third baseman and fan favorite Matt Chapman. When he finally signed a three-year contract worth just $54 million with the San Francisco Giants, the fan base became even angrier because the Jays couldn't match such an offer. Ultimately, Chapman was the best third baseman available in free agency and the perfect example of a player who could provide elite offense and defense at the same time for any team.

But after seeing Chapman's rocky start to his tenure with the Giants so far, it turns out the Jays finally got it right. In 37 games this season, he has posted a paltry .204 batting average along with a .595 OPS, 18 runs scored, 4 home runs, and 14 RBI. Additionally, his 4.6:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio is his best since 2020. So it appears that his offensive regression that we saw with the Jays in 2023 was actually a taste of what was to come for Chapman would come.

To add insult to injury, his Gold Glove-caliber defense this year with the Giants was anything but elite. In fact, he was difficult to watch at times as this type of erratic fielding became more and more the norm for him.

CHANGE 48

April 24th @Mets at @SFGiants

T4 Harrison Bader reaches third base on an infield single off Matt Chapman and advances to second base on a throwing error by Chapman. It was originally a two-base throwing error

Change 2 for SF#LGM #SFGiants pic.twitter.com/RP93Jh7rzA

— MLB Scoring Changes (@ScoringChanges) April 30, 2024

As of Tuesday night, Chapman had already committed 6 errors in just 102 chances, for a fielding percentage of .941, easily making it his worst defensive season of his MLB career.

As much as the Jays have struggled so far in 2024, at least the so-called Chapman replacements on the team have performed solidly for Toronto so far. Overall, the Blue Jays' starting third baseman had a .244 batting average with an OPS of .690, along with 15 runs scored, 3 home runs, 14 RBI, 3 stolen bases and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.5 :1. Defensively, they committed just four errors and had a respectable fielding percentage of .960.

Looking closer at the players, Ernie Clement and Isiah Kiner-Falefa have received the most starts at the hot corner. Statistically, Clement posted a solid .271 average with a .760 OPS with 10 runs scored, two home runs and 6 RBI in 28 games, while Kiner-Falefa also held his own with a .260 average and 9 runs scored one Home run and 10 RBI in 35 games played. When we also factor in Justin Turner, who played a few stints at third and was more or less Chapman's replacement on offense, it's clear to see that the Jays made the right choice. Turner currently leads the team in batting average (.282), on-base percentage (.357), OPS (.821), doubles (8), RBI (16) and is second in hits (31), runs scored (16). ). Home runs (4) and slugging percentage (.472). Without Turner, who knows where the Jays would be right now.

As disappointing as the 2024 season has been for the Jays with all of the recent negative backlash, they can rest assured that they did at least one thing right, and that's not re-signing Chapman to a multi-year deal. It's hard to imagine, but if that were the case, it could have been even worse. Going forward, let's just hope that the Jays can make a few smart moves now and somehow salvage the season before it starts to spiral out of control.

The post Matt Chapman’s unhealthy begin with Giants proves Blue Jays made the proper alternative shifting on appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

MARCIA DUNN AP Aerospace Writer

2 months ago

(AP) – A rare blue supermoon — the closest full moon of the year — dazzled stargazers Wednesday night.

Saturn joined the celestial spectacle, visible alongside the moon, at least where skies were clear.

It was the second full moon of August, thus the blue label. And it was unusually close to Earth, therefore a supermoon.

The moon appeared to be bigger and brighter than usual, given its close proximity to Earth: just 222,043 miles or so. The Aug. 1 supermoon was more than 100 miles farther away.

A supermoon rises over Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. The cosmic curtain rose with the second full moon of the month, also known as a blue moon. A little bigger and brighter thanks to its slightly closer position to Earth. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)The blue supermoon sets over the White Mountain National Forest at sunrise, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023, in Carroll County, New Hampshire. The next blue superman won’t occur until 2037. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)A supermoon rises over a headstone at a cemetery in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. The cosmic curtain rose with the second full moon of the month, also known as a blue moon. A little bigger and brighter thanks to its slightly closer position to Earth. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)A blue supermoon rises between the Salesforce Tower and the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)The full moon rises beyond a sign in the outfield during a baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. The moon was a rare blue supermoon, named so because it was the second full moon in August, thus the blue label, and it was unusually close to Earth, therefore a supermoon. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)A man watches from the upper deck of a baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and the Pittsburgh Pirates as the moon rises in the distance Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. The moon was a rare blue supermoon, named so because it was the second full moon in August, thus the blue label, and it was unusually close to Earth, therefore a supermoon. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)The supermoon, blue moon, rises behind a thick layer of clouds near a statue of the angel Moroni perched atop The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, in Kensington, Md. The cosmic curtain rose Wednesday night with the second full moon of the month, the reason it is considered blue. It’s dubbed a supermoon because it’s closer to Earth than usual, appearing especially big and bright. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)A rare Blue Supermoon rises over Lake Michigan as spectators watch from Chicago’s 31st Street beach Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)People watch a supermoon rise above Lisbon, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. It’s the month’s second supermoon, when a full moon appears a little bigger and brighter thanks to its slightly closer position to Earth. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)A supermoon rises over Montevideo, Uruguay, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. The cosmic curtain rose Wednesday night with the second full moon of the month, also known as a blue moon. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)Akıncı unmanned aerial craft passing in front of the Supermoon during a demonstration flight on the first day of Teknofest technology and aerospace festival in Ankara, Turkey, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)The full moon rises beyond the Martyrs statue, in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. August 30 will see the month’s second supermoon, when a full moon appears a little bigger and brighter thanks to its slightly closer position to Earth. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)The supermoon rises behind the Chlemoutsi medival castle in Kyllini, Peloponnese, Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. The cosmic curtain rose Wednesday night with the second full moon of the month, the reason it is considered blue. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)A supermoon rises over the Colosseum in Rome, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)The moon known as blue moon rises behind the small village of Ujue, northern Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)The August Super Blue Moon sets behind a historical building and the St. Basil’s Cathedral, right, as people walk in Red Square in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. The cosmic curtain rises Wednesday night with the second full moon of the month, the reason it is considered blue. It is dubbed a supermoon because it is closer to Earth than usual, appearing especially big and bright. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)The supermoon rises in the sky over the houses of Gaza City, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. The cosmic curtain rose Wednesday night with the second full moon of the month, the reason it is considered blue. It’s dubbed a supermoon because it’s closer to Earth than usual, appearing especially big and bright. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)The supermoon rises in the sky of Gaza City, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. The cosmic curtain rose Wednesday night with the second full moon of the month, the reason it is considered blue. It’s dubbed a supermoon because it’s closer to Earth than usual, appearing especially big and bright. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)The full moon rises behind the Galata tower in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. The cosmic curtain rose Wednesday night with the second full moon of the month, the reason it is considered blue. It is dubbed a supermoon because it is closer to Earth than usual, appearing especially big and bright.(AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)The supermoon rises behind Ayioi Anargiroi Orthodox church near Ayia Napa and Protaras in the eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus, on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. The cosmic curtain rose Wednesday night with the second full moon of the month, the reason it is considered blue. It is dubbed a supermoon because it is closer to Earth than usual, appearing especially big and bright. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)The supermoon rises over the Mediterranean sea as a boat passes at Konnos bay near Ayia Napa and Protaras on the eastern part of the island of Cyprus, on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. The cosmic curtain rose Wednesday night with the second full moon of the month, the reason it is considered blue. It’s dubbed a supermoon because it’s closer to Earth than usual, appearing especially big and bright. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)The supermoon rises behind the ancient temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, about 70 kilometers (45 miles) south of Athens, Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. The cosmic curtain rose Wednesday night with the second full moon of the month, the reason it is considered blue. It’s dubbed a supermoon because it’s closer to Earth than usual, appearing especially big and bright. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)A Supermoon is seen on the sky as a woman walks on the street, in Vosloorus, east of Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. August 30 sees the month’s second supermoon, when a full moon appears a little bigger and brighter thanks to its slightly closer position to Earth. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)The supermoon rises near the equestrian statue of Damdin Sukhbaatar on Sukhbaatar Square in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. August 30 sees the month’s second supermoon, when a full moon appears a little bigger and brighter thanks to its slightly closer position to Earth. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)A peacock sits on a chimney as a nearly full moon rises behind it, in Hyderabad, India, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. August 30 will see the month’s second supermoon, when a full moon appears a little bigger and brighter thanks to its slightly closer position to Earth. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

If you missed it, it will be a long wait: The next blue supermoon isn’t until 2037. But another regular supermoon is on the horizon at the end of September, the last one of the year.

The post AP PHOTOS: Uncommon blue supermoon dazzles stargazers across the globe appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

The property manager of a building where a woman fell three stories to her death during a Fleet Week Blue Angels party is investigating the incident, according to the building’s property management company. 

The woman, identified Tuesday as Patricia Hamon, 51, apparently tripped and fell during the rooftop party on Oct. 7, according to her ex-husband, Clark Hamon, and a Facebook post made by a friend. Hamon was known to her friends as Tricia O’Connor—her maiden name.

“Our office is investigating this matter and will follow up when we have more information,” said Stefan Calic, property management director at Hanford-Freund & Company. “Our office is still gathering all of the relevant facts of the incident.”

READ MORE: Woman Died Falling From San Francisco Building During Blue Angels Party

The roof of 2940 Van Ness Ave., where a woman fell to her death during a Fleet Week party, was easily accessible to a reporter from The Standard. | Source: Garrett Leahy/The Standard

Tenants and neighbors said the party happened on the roof of the apartment building at 2940 Van Ness Ave. and that about 10 people may have been present.

‘You’re Not Supposed To Go Up There’

The Standard visited the apartment building Thursday and accessed the roof via an unlocked door that was slightly ajar. Signs reading “keep out” and “emergency exit only” were posted to the door. The roof did not appear to be built for leisure use, felt spongy, was covered in gravel and had no guardrails or significant ledges around its perimeter.

In San Francisco, a roof does not need guardrails or protective walls, known as parapets, unless a building has a permitted rooftop deck, or has machinery on the roof being worked on, such as an HVAC system.

Signs warn tenants not to access the roof of 2940 Van Ness Ave., where a woman fell to her death during a Fleet Week party. | Source: Garrett Leahy/The Standard

“It’s not the owner’s responsibility; you’re not supposed to be up there,” said Engin Yagmur, a structural engineer with San Francisco firm ECS Engineering.

The property is owned by three individuals and two trusts. The Standard was unable to reach them for comment.

‘I Knew She Was Dead’

A witness who lives across the street from 2940 Van Ness Ave. said Patricia Hamon fell onto the steps of the neighboring home at 2930 Van Ness Ave. | Source: Garrett Leahy/The Standard

A witness who lives across the street from where the incident happened told The Standard that Hamon fell onto the outdoor steps of the neighboring home at 2930 Van Ness Ave.

The witness, who asked to remain anonymous because she said she feels traumatized by the incident and wants privacy, said she heard a “loud sound” around 4 p.m. Saturday before seeing a woman’s body on the concrete steps. The Standard has been unable to verify where Hamon landed after her fall. The San Francisco Fire Department said it could not confirm the location due to legal reasons.

“Then I saw blood pouring out [of her head], and I just screamed,” the witness said. “Her friends were looking over the roof. I was screaming for them to call 911, because I was too horrified to do so myself.”

An old exercise bike on the roof of 2940 Van Ness Ave. | Source: Garrett Leahy/The Standard

The witness said a passerby called 911 and they performed CPR for about five minutes until police responded and continued to administer medical aid. The witness said medics arrived shortly after and tried to use a defibrillator on Hamon.

“When they gave up, I knew she was dead,” the witness said. “They were taking the body away, and [her friends] all held hands, and talked about her,” the witness said.

A friend of Hamon, Alix Rosenthal, posted a message on Facebook Tuesday on behalf of Hamon’s family.

“I am sad to announce that Tricia suffered a fatal accident at a Blue Angels party on Saturday,” wrote Rosenthal. “We are still working on plans for a memorial, and will announce details as soon as we have them. Trishie was a bright light in our community, her passing is an unspeakable loss for all of us. Please seek support from one another as we grieve together.”

Rosenthal and the O’Connor family declined to comment further.

The post San Francisco Blue Angels Get together Loss of life: Roof Lacks Security Rails appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

A man watches the blue supermoon rise in San Pedro, CA, Wednesday, August 30, 2023.  It was the second full moon of August, thus the blue label. And it was unusually close to Earth, therefore a supermoon. The next blue supermoon isn’t until 2037. But another regular supermoon is on the horizon at the end of September, the last one of the year.  (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG) (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

A plane flies past the blue supermoon in front of Orange Grove Elementary in Whittier on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

A rare blue supermoon — the closest full moon of the year — dazzled stargazers in Southern California and around the world pn Wednesday night.

Saturn joined the celestial spectacle, visible alongside the moon, at least where skies were clear.

It was the second full moon of August, thus the blue label. And it was unusually close to Earth, therefore a supermoon.

A blue supermoon rises over the Korean Friendship pagoda in San Pedro, CA, Wednesday, August 30, 2023.  It was the second full moon of August, thus the blue label. And it was unusually close to Earth, therefore a supermoon. The next blue supermoon isn’t until 2037. But another regular supermoon is on the horizon at the end of September, the last one of the year.  (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

The moon appeared to be bigger and brighter than usual, given its close proximity to Earth: just 222,043 miles or so. The Aug. 1 supermoon was more than 100 miles farther away.

If you missed it, it will be a long wait: The next blue supermoon isn’t until 2037.

But another regular supermoon is on the horizon at the end of September, the last one of the year.

A blue supermoon rises above Yucaipa on Wednesday, August 30, 2023.  (Photo by Charles L Convis)
A blue supermoon rises above Yucaipa on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. (Photo by Charles L Convis)
A supermoon rises over Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. The cosmic curtain rose with the second full moon of the month, also known as a blue moon. A little bigger and brighter thanks to its slightly closer position to Earth. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
A super blue moon is seen above the stadium lights during the game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
A supermoon rises over a headstone at a cemetery in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. The cosmic curtain rose with the second full moon of the month, also known as a blue moon. A little bigger and brighter thanks to its slightly closer position to Earth. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
A blue supermoon rises over downtown Houston on the Buffalo Bayou Trail on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023 in Houston. (Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle via AP)
SAN RAFAEL, CA – AUGUST 30 A man sits on a rock along the San Francisco Bay Trail as he watches the blue supermoon rise in San Rafael, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Alan Dep/Marin Independent Journal)
A supermoon rises over Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. The cosmic curtain rose with the second full moon of the month, also known as a blue moon. A little bigger and brighter thanks to its slightly closer position to Earth. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
The blue supermoon is seen over the skyline in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)
A peacock sits on a chimney as a nearly full moon rises behind it, in Hyderabad, India, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. August 30 will see the month’s second supermoon, when a full moon appears a little bigger and brighter thanks to its slightly closer position to Earth. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

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The post Blue supermoon dazzles Southern California and viewers all over the world – Day by day Information appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

27 February 2022

Image source, Joanna Hudson

Image caption,

Joanna Hudson said she wants to remind people of the sacrifice and extreme working conditions Victorian children endured

A blue plaque to commemorate the short life of a Victorian chimney sweep is set to be placed on the building where he died.

George Brewster was 11-years-old when he became trapped in a former Victorian asylum in Fulbourn, Cambridgeshire.

Amateur historian Joanna Hudson said he deserved the recognition as his death was the catalyst that stopped children from going up chimneys.

She said he was the last “climbing boy” to die in England in 1875.

Image source, Joanna Hudson

Image caption,

A volunteer tending the unmarked grave of George Brewster at Mill Road cemetery in Cambridge

The mother of two, from Pampisford, said George was “forced by his master” to climb and clean the narrow chimney of the building, which was since been turned into offices.

He was unable to get out and 15 minutes later a wall was pulled down to get to him but he died shortly after.

The 7th Earl of Shaftesbury read about his death and pushed a bill through Parliament putting an end to children being used as chimney sweeps.

Image source, Joanna Hudson

Image caption,

The former Victorian asylum in Fulbourn has since been turned into offices

It’s chief executive officer, James Littlewood said: “This is the first blue plaque application we have received for a child”. His story was “different and special”, he added.

Joanna Hudson said: “George Brewster died not knowing that he changed the lives of thousands of children across the land – a story of huge historical significance, for not only Cambridgeshire, but the whole country.

“A blue plaque and commemorative statue would be a powerful reminder of how far we have come since those dark days and that we shouldn’t take our child labour rights for granted.”

She said the group was currently in negotiations with Capital Park, who own the building, about where it will be located.

A fundraising page set up to pay for the plaque and to place a marker on his unmarked grave in Mill Road Cemetery, Cambridge, has been created.

The post Fulbourn blue plaque deliberate to honour chimney sweep appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

TORONTO — Brandon Belt said before the start of this series that he hoped to beat Logan Webb and joked, “I just want to embarrass his whole family.” The former Giants first baseman certainly did his best and batted at his 739 total feet of flyballs in their first two appearances, but Toronto didn’t have to leave the stadium to beat Webb harder than any other team this season.

The Blue Jays brought nine men to the plate and tagged Webb for five runs in the first inning, putting the Giants in a rare hole that proved too deep to climb out. The Giants lost the middlegame of their series 6-1 and lost away at Oracle Park for the first time since Memorial Day weekend. They broke a San Francisco-era record of 10 consecutive away wins.

A night after the Giants defeated the Blue Jays’ top starter Kevin Gausman with a game of bullpen, Toronto dosed San Francisco with the same medicine. A quartet of Blue Jays relievers limited the Giants to one run on six hits — three by LaMonte Wade Jr. — or the number Toronto hit in the first inning alone.

Austin Slater, coming on for Michael Conforto (left hamstring strain) early in the second half, made the Giants’ only run with a 402-foot solo shot over Tim Horton’s shield in right midfield. The Giants only got two other runners into goal position, Wade with a wild pitch after his leadoff single in the first and Patrick Bailey with a scoring double in the seventh inning.

The Blue Jays’ five earned runs in the first inning was the most Webb had ever conceded in a single inning and represented their worst season for a single game.

Belt entered the box at the bottom of the first pass, a run was already on the board and a man was on first base. At first it looked like he’d executed his intentions and blasted a ball deep into left center field, but had to settle for an RBI double as the ball landed a few yards from the wall. He fell just short again on his second attack, sending Luis Matos onto the runway in midfield for the lowest point of the game.

As Belt returned to the dugout, he appeared to exchange a few words with his former teammate up the hill.

While the Blue Jays marked Webb for six hits — four doubles — in the first inning, Belt’s 98.8 mph two-bagger was their hardest-hit ball of the inning until a 109-mph line-drive single from Danny Jansen won the last run. According to Statcast, George Springer’s double to lead from the inning and Daulton Varshos, driving in Belt, each had a 16% or less chance of hitting. It was only the fourth time in the Statcast era (since 2015) that a pitcher had allowed four doubles in an inning and neither registered an exit speed of 100 mph or more.

After the big first inning, Webb managed to give up 11 of the last 13 batters he faced but left Ross Stripling to start the sixth inning. Stripling, recurring for the first time since May 17 (low back strain), won the last three innings but conceded a run on three hits and had three strikeouts.

The first inning cost the Giants more than the game. Conforto was sent off for a pinch hitter early in the second period after chasing several balls down right field, including a foul by Matt Chapman that catapulted Conforto into foul territory and eventually into the waist-high wall while he was recorded the second of the inning.

©#YR@ MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit mercurynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Copyright 2023 Tribune Content Agency.

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IAN HARRISON
Associated Press

TORONTO — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Alejandro Kirk each had three hits, Whit Merrifield reached twice and drove in two runs and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Milwaukee Brewers 7-2 Tuesday night.

Brandon Belt and Cavan Biggio each reached base three times and drove in a run as the Blue Jays snapped a four-game home losing streak.

On this episode of Rewind: Your Week in Review, Emilee and JR discuss how Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred sent a serious message that the repairs to American Family Field will require public funding to extend the Milwaukee Brewers lease and said he’s confident lawmakers will figure out a plan to provide the needed funding. Manfred’s visit came on the same day the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors issued a rare unanimous vote against putting any more county money toward renovating the ballpark.

Watch: https://wiseye.org/2023/05/26/rewind-your-week-in-review-for-may-20-26

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“Today was a perfect example of doing things that we’re good at,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “It was good starting pitching, it was clean defense and really good at-bats.”

William Contreras hit a two-run home run, his second homer in two games, as the Brewers lost for the fourth time in five games.

Yusei Kikuchi (6-2) allowed two runs and three hits in five innings, snapping a three-start winless streak. Kikuchi walked a season-high five and struck out four.

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Nate Pearson pitched two innings, Adam Cimber got two outs in the eighth and Tim Mayza retired Rowdy Tellez to strand a pair. Yimi Garcia finished for Toronto.

Contreras gave Milwaukee an early lead when he connected for his sixth homer in the first, but Toronto answered with four runs in the bottom half against Adrian Houser (1-1). Guerrero and Matt Chapman had RBI singles and two runs scored on Merrifield’s double.

“Any four-run inning in a nine-inning game is going to be tough to come back from,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said.

Houser came in having pitched 11¹/³ scoreless innings over his previous two outings. He gave up seven runs, six earned, and a career-worst 11 hits in 4¹/³ innings.

“I just wasn’t executing as good as I have been the last few games,” Houser said.

Kirk reached base to begin the second when Houser couldn’t find first base with his foot after taking a feed from first baseman Mike Brosseau.

“I didn’t get quite far enough over there to the line,” Houser said.

Two more batters reached before Bo Bichette drove in a run with a fielder’s choice and Belt added an RBI single.

The Brewers played north of the border for the first time since sweeping a two-game series in Toronto to start the 2017 season.

Winker goes on IL

Designated hitter/outfielder Jesse Winker was put on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a cervical strain. The move was made retroactive to Sunday.

Winker, 29, is batting .204 with a .315 on-base percentage and .231 slugging percentage in 39 games this season.

Although Winker hit 24 home runs with Cincinnati as recently as 2021, when he made an All-Star Game appearance, he hasn’t homered at all this season. He has only three extra-base hits — all doubles — in 127 plate appearances.

Milwaukee acquired Winker and infielder Abraham Toro from the Seattle Mariners last December for second baseman Kolten Wong and $1.75 million. Winker underwent disk replacement surgery on his neck and meniscus repair in his left knee during the offseason.

The Brewers filled Winker’s spot on the roster by recalling Toro from Triple-A Nashville. Toro was hitting .258 with a .344 on-base percentage, one homer, 18 RBIs and four steals in 43 games with Nashville while playing third base and second base.

Big day

Brewers shortstop Andruw Monasterio celebrated his 26th birthday by picking up his first big league hit, a single in the second.

Monasterio said he planned to give the ball to his father.

“That’s my first coach,” he said. “He taught me everything I knew before I signed.”

Up next

Right-hander Alek Manoah (1-5, 5.53) starts for the Blue Jays on Wednesday against Brewers right-hander Julio Teheran (0-1, 1.80).

5 greatest Milwaukee Brewers pitchers of all time

5 greatest Milwaukee Brewers pitchers of all time

Milwaukee Brewers’ Corbin Burnes thorws during a spring training baseball workout Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Morry Gash

Pitching has always been a vital component of success in major league baseball. 

Having a reliable ace is a treasured asset for franchises and the Milwaukee Brewers have been blessed with some of the top arms. 

Spring training is complete and Opening Day is Thursday for the Brewers and the rest of the league. Last season, the Brewers registered 1,530 strikeouts (third in the MLB) while giving up 1,238 hits (fifth fewest) as well as ranking 12th in ERA (3.83).

As the Brewers’ No. 1 pitcher, right-hander Corbin Burnes (12-8) racked up the second-most strikeouts in the majors (243) while finishing eighth in WHIP (0.97) along with an ERA of 2.94 last season. Burnes amassed at least 10 strikeouts in nine contests, with the highest amount being 14 when he allowed one run and three hits vs. the San Francisco Giants on Sept. 8. 

Yet, even with Burnes’ lofty numbers, the Brewers didn’t reach the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Still, Burnes has collected 670 strikeouts with a 35-19 record since beginning his career with the Brewers in 2018. This has resulted in Burnes making the All-Star Game twice, in addition to capturing the Cy Young Award in 2021. 

Leading up to the March 30 season opener at the Chicago Cubs, here’s a look at the five greatest pitchers in Brewers history. 

LHP Teddy Higuera (1985-94)

Baseball commissioner and former Milwaukee Brewers owner Bud Selig hugs former pitcher Teddy Higuera during a Brewers Wall of Honor ceremony June 13, 2014, before a game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Cincinnati Reds in Milwaukee. 

MORRY GASH, ASSOCIATED PRESS

During his prime, Higuera was perhaps the most elite lefty in the AL. 

Higuera posted a 15-8 record during his rookie season in 1985. In his second season, Higuera announced his dominance to the baseball world. 

In 1986, Higuera (20-11) became the second Mexican in MLB history with at least 20 wins, while also recording 207 strikeouts with a 2.79 ERA. Higuera was runner-up to Roger Clemens for the AL CY Young Award. 

Higuera followed up in 1987 with an 18-10 record and career-high 240 strikeouts to finish sixth in CY Young voting. In 1988, Higuera went 16-9 with 192 strikeouts and a career-low 2.45 ERA. 

A rotator cuff injury five appearances into the 1991 season resulted in Higuera missing almost three seasons before closing out his career with modest numbers in 1993 and 1994. 

Higuera is rated by Baseball Reference as the No. 5 Brewers player of all time with a WAR of 30.3. For career figures, Higuera is third in wins (94) and strikeouts (1,081), and fifth in ERA (3.61) in Brewers history. 

Higuera was inducted into the Mexican Professional Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011 and also included in the Brewers’ Wall of Honor and the American Family Field Walk of Fame. 

RHP Ben Sheets (2001-08)

Sheets fought through ailments to produce four All-Star Game appearances (2001, 2004, 2007, 2008) during his time with the Brewers. 

The first trip to the All-Star Game came during a rookie season in which he finished with an 11-10 record and 94 strikeouts. In Sheets’ ninth career start, he pitched a five-hit shutout vs. the St. Louis Cardinals. 

A bulging disc caused Sheets to regress in 2002 and 2003 before bouncing back with a career-best campaign in 2004. 

During that season, Sheets made the All-Star Game for the second time as he set a franchise record for strikeouts (264). Sheets recorded a Brewers-best 18 strikeouts vs. the Atlanta Braves on May 16, 2004. Sheets also had an immaculate inning (three strikeouts on nine pitches) in a loss to the Houston Astros on June 13, 2004. 

After 2004, Sheets suffered a string of more injuries but capped off his time with the Brewers with his last two All-Star appearances in 2007 and 2008. 

On Opening Day in 2007, Sheets tossed a complete-game two-hitter in a win vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 2008, Sheets became the first pitcher in franchise history to start in the All-Star Game. 

In franchise history, Sheets ranks second in strikeouts (1,206), sixth in wins (86) and eighth in ERA (3.72). Baseball Reference regards Sheets as the eighth-best Brewers player ever (22.8 WAR). Sheets is a part of the Brewers’ Wall of Honor. 

RHP Yovani Gallardo (2007-14)

Brewers’ Yovani Gallardo delivers a pitch during the first inning Saturday night at Dodger Stadium.

MARK J. TERRILL — Associated Press

Gallardo followed in the footsteps of Higuera as another dominant Mexican pitcher for the Brewers. 

Gallardo began his career with a 9-5 record and 101 strikeouts in 2007. A knee injury cost Gallardo to practically miss the entire next season. However, once that cleared up, Gallardo’s career took off. 

Gallardo produced five consecutive winning seasons from 2009-13, which included an All-Star Game appearance in 2010. Gallardo had at least 200 strikeouts every season from 2009-12. 

In 2010, Gallardo posted a 14-7 record, 3.84 ERA, 200 strikeouts and two shutouts. Gallardo also flashed his versatility as the NL’s Silver Slugger recipient for pitchers that season. He hit .254 with four home runs and 10 RBIs and a .508 slugging percentage. For his career, Gallardo hit 12 home runs, including one off Randy Johnson in a 1-0 victory vs. the Giants. 

Gallardo (17-10, 3.52 ERA, 207 strikeouts) finished seventh in CY Young voting in 2011. In 2012, Gallardo (16-9, 3.66 ERA, 204 strikeouts) led NL pitchers with 33 starts and set a career high with 14 strikeouts vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

Gallardo is the franchise leader in strikeouts (1,226), fifth in wins (89), and seventh in ERA (3.69). Gallardo is deemed by Baseball Reference as the No. 18 Brewers player of all time (18.3 WAR). Gallardo is on the Brewers’ Wall of Honor. 

RHP Corbin Burnes (2018-present)

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Corbin Burnes throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Morry Gash

It might seem early for this coronation, but in the past three seasons, Burnes has asserted himself as one of the top arms in the NL. 

Burnes’ rise was preceded by a rocky start to his career. Burnes went 7-0 with a 2.61 ERA as a reliever in his 2018 rookie campaign. However, when thrust into the rotation the next season, Burnes went 1-5 with an 8.82 ERA. 

Burnes was demoted to Class AAA and he floundered in the minors until reinventing his game in 2020. Burnes developed a vicious cut fastball and posted a 4-1 mark with a 2.11 ERA during the pandemic-shortened campaign. Burnes finished sixth in NL CY Young voting. 

That set the tone for the comeback story’s apex in 2021. Burnes won the NL CY Young Award and was an All-Star behind an 11-5 record, 2.43 ERA, and 234 strikeouts. Burnes became the third Brewers pitcher to win the award. His masterful control was on full display, as he got his first 58 strikeouts with zero walks to set an MLB record.

Last season, Burnes was a pitching finalist for the NL Golden Glove Award. 

During the past two seasons, Burnes failed to earn victories in 17 games in which he threw a quality start, which consists of six-plus innings while allowing three or fewer earned runs. 

Burnes holds the franchise single-season record for strikeouts per nine innings (12.6 in 2021) as well as second in ERA (2021) and sixth in WAR (5.6 in 2021). Burns also tied an MLB record with 10 consecutive strikeouts vs. the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 12, 2021.

RHP Rollie Fingers (1981-85)

Brewers closer Rollie Fingers shown in 1982.

CAPITAL TIMES ARCHIVES

The legendary reliever with perhaps the most famous mustache in MLB history graced the Brewers with the final four seasons in his 17-year career. 

With the arrival of Fingers, one of the game’s trailblazing relievers, the Brewers qualified for the postseason for the first time in franchise history in 1981. Fingers won both MVP and the CY Young Award for the AL as he recorded 28 saves and 61 strikeouts with a 1.04 ERA. 

Then the following season, the Brewers captured the AL pennant before falling to the St. Louis Cardinals in a seven-game World Series. In 1982, Fingers had 29 saves, 71 strikeouts and a 2.60 ERA to earn an All-Star selection.

However, Fingers missed the World Series and the entire 1983 season due to injury.

Fingers surpassed Sparky Lyle’s AL record for career saves (232) in a road victory vs. the Minnesota Twins on Sept. 4, 1985. 

The Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher had 97 saves during his stint with the Brewers and is the lone pitcher to have his number retired by the franchise. Fingers’ number also is retired by the Oakland Athletics, making him one of only 10 players with the multiple-team distinction. 

Honorable mention: LHP Mike Caldwell (1977-84)

Milwaukee Brewers’ pitcher Mike Caldwell raises his arms in victory as he watches a popout for the last out of the game in the World Series opener Oct. 13, 1982, in St. Louis.

ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES

Caldwell began his career with the San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, and Cincinnati Reds, but the best stretch of his career came with the Brewers. 

The trade of minor leaguers Dick O’Keefe and Garry Pyka to the Reds for Caldwell goes down as one of the most significant in the history of the franchise. 

Caldwell shook off a slow start with the Brewers in 1977 to set a single-season franchise record for wins (22) in 1978. 

During that campaign in which he finished second in AL Cy Young voting, Caldwell registered a 2.36 ERA, an AL-best 23 complete games and three shutouts vs. the eventual World Series champion New York Yankees. Caldwell earned the moniker “Yankee killer” for his 12-5 record and 2.66 ERA vs. the Yankees from 1977-82. 

In 1982, Caldwell (12 complete games) registered 17 wins, including two in the World Series vs. the Cardinals as the Brewers captured the AL pennant. 

Caldwell earned double-figure victories for six straight seasons with the Brewers (1978-83). 

He retired as the winningest lefty pitcher in Brewers history (102), which also ranks second for the franchise. Caldwell also is the franchise leader in complete games (81) and second in shutouts (18). 

Caldwell (17.3 WAR) is the 21st best Brewers player according to Baseball Reference. Caldwell is recognized on the Brewers’ Wall of Honor. 

Honorable mention: LHP CC Sabathia (2008)

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher CC Sabathia throws a pitch during the 2008 season. After Milwaukee announced the acquisition of Sabathia on July 7, 2008, he carried the Brewers to their first postseason appearance since 1982.

ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES

It was a glorious lone season in Milwaukee for Sabathia.

The lefty arrived with the Brewers in 2008 via a midseason trade from the then-Cleveland Indians. Sabathia registered an 11-2 mark with a 1.65 ERA, 1.003 WHIP, 128 strikeouts and only 25 walks. 

Sabathia tossed a complete-game, four-hit shutout in the regular-season finale vs. the Chicago Cubs, which coupled with a loss by the New York Mets, clinched a wild card berth for the Brewers. 

Sabathia finished fifth in Cy Young voting and sixth in the MVP race in the NL despite not spending a full season in the league. Sabathia additionally captured his second consecutive Warren Spahn Award. 

Sabathia spent the final 11 seasons of his career with the New York Yankees. 

Honorable mention: RHP Jim Slaton (1971-77, 1979-83)

Slaton spent the majority of his career in Milwaukee and is the franchise leader in wins (117), shutouts (19), games started (268), and innings pitched (2,025.1). 

Slaton is also second in complete games (69) and fourth in strikeouts (929) in Brewers history. In 1977, Slaton was selected to the All-Star Game and finished with 104 strikeouts and a 3.58 ERA. 

Slaton was the Brewers’ winning pitcher in Game 4 of the 1982 World Series vs. the St. Louis Cardinals, throwing two scoreless innings in replacement of Moose Haas. 

In a dozen seasons with the Brewers, Slaton averaged a 3.86 ERA. Slaton is recognized on the Brewers’ Wall of Honor. 

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By Zach Buchanan, Nick Groke and Stephen Nesbitt

Like the Cardinals, Astros, burnt ends and the fourth Mad Max movie, some things are worth waiting for. The barbecue should take hours to do correctly. “Fury Road” came out 30 years after “Beyond Thunderdome.” And the Astros and Cardinals needed six weeks to finally show up this season.

We are now more than 25 percent through this season. Some teams are still finding their way, and others are ready to find a third gear. Some needed a while to get off the line and others are hitting their stride. But all of them are looking for that one kick to push them into new territory.

Shout-out to Keith M., who took top honors as our commenter of the week for his biting observation that it is “definitely reigning comity in here.” Kudos to Keith for his totally sincere take that wasn’t at all sarcastic and for having a good vocabulary.

All of us are still waiting for more comity in this world. Meanwhile, let’s take stock of baseball’s hierarchy this week by zooming in on one thing each team is still waiting for that might take them to the next level.

Record: 34-14
Last Power Ranking: 1

Truthfully, the Rays regulars have almost all been clicking on all cylinders these past two months. They have no star who has yet to find his footing, no should-be ace scuffling in a slow start. They are powered by a mishmash of Yandys, Randys, Wanders, Harolds and Lowes, and somehow they are still standing despite rolling out half a rotation. But we are here to pick nits. And so I will say, like a real hard-hitter, “Gosh, their backup catcher … yikes.” Yes, Francisco Mejía is batting .211 with a .590 OPS. He is doing what he did last year, just a little worse. Same with Manuel Margot. Great defense, OK hitter. So there, we knocked the Rays’ bench. That’s about it. A couple other hitters have come back to earth this month (Brandon Lowe, Wander Franco, Christian Bethancourt), along with the Rays’ win/loss record, but the way they clicked from Day 1 this season, they’re certainly capable of doing it again any day now. — Stephen Nesbitt

Record: 29-17
Last Power Ranking: 3

OK, I’m stumped. I have scrutinized the Rangers roster up and down and I’m having a hard time picking out someone important who is underperforming in a meaningful way. Sure, Jacob deGrom is out with an injury, but terrific pitching interrupted by stints on the injured list is kind of what you expect, right? Almost every lineup regular is turning in above-average offensive production. Unsurprisingly, the Rangers are scoring the most runs per game in MLB. What, am I going to pick on Robbie Grossman? He may be the weak spot in left field, but he’s actually performing better than he did a year ago. Starting pitchers Martín Pérez and Andrew Heaney are carrying mediocre ERAs, but those numbers are inflated by a few rough outings. Perhaps this explains a lot about the Rangers — aside from a few key injuries, almost everything is going well and very little is going poorly. — Zach Buchanan

Record: 29-17
Last Power Ranking: 4

It’s too early to truly be concerned about Michael Harris II. Right? Right?? RIGHT??? Through 25 games in his rookie season, Harris was batting .330 with a .900 OPS, so seeing him below the Mendoza line is a little jarring. Harris, who missed three weeks in April with a lower back strain, has a .171/.253/.256 triple slash, with just five extra bases and four steals so far in 2023. The reigning NL Rookie of the Year has struggled against righties in general and against fastballs in particular. But it does seem like things should start clicking. With as consistently as Harris barrels baseballs, factor in an abnormally low .213 BABIP and improved walk and strikeout rates this season and I’m betting his surface numbers will come around before long. But, if not, the slow start will soon be sounding alarm bells. — SN

Record: 31-16
Last Power Ranking: 6

It would’ve been cool to see Jorge Mateo continue his meteoric rise this month, but in reality, the Orioles weren’t counting on guys like Mateo in 2023. They were expecting an immediate impact from their top prospects like Gunnar Henderson and Grayson Rodriguez. Instead, it’s been a rough transition for those two, even as the surging Orioles have accumulated the second-best record in baseball. Henderson is batting .192 with a .685 OPS in everyday playing time, and Rodriguez has a 6.21 ERA through eight starts. There are silver linings, to be sure. Henderson is getting on base at a good clip. Rodriguez now has more solid starts than bad, with a few blowups skewing the ERA. But they’ve also looked a lot like, well, rookies. And if the Orioles are to do better than stay in the playoff conversation, if they’re going to chase down the Rays, it’ll likely be because Henderson and Rodriguez got a firm foothold and found their groove. — SN

Gunnar Henderson (Patrick Smith / Getty Images)

Record: 29-19
Last Power Ranking: 2

When the Dodgers trade for a guy, the general expectation is that guy is suddenly going to get way better. (See, to a certain extent, Jason Heyward.) Miguel Rojas has been the opposite. Acquired from the Marlins for shortstop prospect Jacob Amaya — who is starting to hit in Triple A, by the way — Rojas was set to fill a Trea Turner-sized hole at shortstop. The 34-year-old has been a good defender, but he’s been terrible at the plate with a .494 OPS. Rojas has never been a league-average hitter in any full season, and certainly no one expected him to hit like Turner, but his offensive numbers are just plain ugly.

Of course, the Dodgers are scoring the most runs in the NL — their big problem is pitching injuries, not pitching underperformance — so maybe getting Rojas to hit would be unfair to everyone else. — ZB

Record: 27-19
Last Power Ranking: 11

Yes, the Astros, with their below-average offensive production, need Alex Bregman’s talent to float back into his body. It’s worth noting, though, that Bregman is coming off a good week and hasn’t been nearly as much of a drain on the lineup as another fixture. The guy who truly got Monstar-ed is first baseman José Abreu, who owns a .534 OPS, worse than even Martín Maldonado’s. I could throw a whole bunch of numbers at you, but this gets the point across.

Jose Altuve is back, which should help the Astros at the plate, but Abreu is still batting in the heart of the lineup. Until manager Dusty Baker drops the struggling veteran – or benches him — the (admittedly surging) Astros will be waiting for him like Godot. And if you’re familiar with the Samuel Beckett play, you know that Godot never arrives. — ZB

Record: 29-20
Last Power Ranking: 9

The answer to this prompt would have been Aaron Hicks had he not been designated for assignment Saturday, but there are a few others getting a lot of run for the red-hot Yankees and not contributing with the bat:

• Oswaldo Cabrera: .203/.258/.312, 3 HR, 10 BB, 28 K, 5 S
• Isiah Kiner-Falefa: .198/.258/.302, 2 HR, 6 BB, 14 K, 4 SB, 2 CS
• Kyle Higashioka: .191/.247/.368, 3 HR, 5 BB, 24 K

These are lower than typical numbers for Kiner-Falefa and Higashioka, but they were known commodities as glove-first guys. After Cabrera broke into the majors with a .740 OPS (109 OPS+) in 44 games last season, there was hope he’d help both ways. But through 42 games this season, that hasn’t been the case. He’s lugging around a .570 OPS and looking at a lot of blue on his Statcast page. Also worth noting: Josh Donaldson hasn’t played enough to say the Yankees are waiting for his bat to show up; right now they’d settle for him showing up healthy at all. — SN

Record: 25-22
Last Power Ranking: 7

Less than two weeks ago, Carlos Correa was hitting just .185 — and hearing boos. “I’d boo myself, too,” Correa said. Since then, he’s hitting better, with an .873 OPS over that stretch to raise his batting average to .206. He’s inching back into form. But here’s the rub: The Twins are treading water, in control of the AL Central but just three games above .500. They’re currently shorthanded. They’re … fine. And fine isn’t good enough. At some point, if they’re serious about this season, the Twins will need to reach another level. They won’t get there by going 2-4 in a week as they did after a trip through Los Angeles and Anaheim last week. They’ll get to another level behind their stars. And Correa is their brightest. “When I get right,” Correa said, “when we get right as a team, then we’re going to be playing better baseball.” He knows what’s up. — Nick Groke

Record: 27-20
Last Power Ranking: 10

Things are mostly going well with the Arizona offense. By bWAR, the Diamondbacks’ top six players are all hitters. Arizona had a couple dead spots in the outfield, but has the prospect depth to flip those guys out for replacements like Dominic Fletcher and Pavin Smith, both of whom are hitting well. Arizona has similar prospect depth in the rotation, but the results there have not been as good.

The bottom three spots in the Arizona rotation are filled by rookies Ryne Nelson and Brandon Pfaadt along with pseudo-rookie Tommy Henry. They have a combined 5.81 ERA. Each has shown positive signs, but consistency is what a rotation needs. Arizona is 13-7 when Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly pitch, and 14-13 when anyone else does. The Diamondbacks are comfortable winners right now, but that’s a hard act to keep up when three-fifths of the rotation is so shaky. If those young pitchers don’t find their footing soon, it might be time for the Diamondbacks to reach even deeper into the farm system for, say, Blake Walston or Bryce Jarvis. — ZB

Record: 26-21
Last Power Ranking: 12

The Red Sox’s starting shortstop switching from Xander Bogaerts to Trevor Story to Kiké Hernández represented an obvious downgrade, but the results have been even worse than expected. Hernández’s hitting numbers, from the traditional (.298 OBP, .646 OPS) to the advanced (87.5 mph average exit velocity, 33.3 hard-hit percentage), are among the lowest of his career, and his defense has rated as worse than all but two position players in the majors: Amed Rosario and CJ Abrams. Bogaerts, meanwhile, is tied for first in the majors in Outs Above Average. On the pitching side, Corey Kluber is throwing slower and getting hit harder than ever. His start Sunday ended after seven outs and five runs, one earned. His ERA went down, from 6.41 to 6.26. Kluber’s strikeout rate entering Sunday’s start (18.4 percent) and ground-ball rate (30.7 percent) were both career lows, which helps explain how his home-run rate (2.52 per nine innings) is more than double his previous high. — SN

Record: 25-22
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