Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Dylan Cease was far from his usual self on Monday, allowing four runs over five innings in a 6-5 loss to the Oakland Athletics.
Cease’s fastball topped out an average of 94.9 mph in the outing, well below his season average of 97.1 mph. The 30-year-old ace shook off any concerns postgame about the drop in velocity.
“I think it’s just late in the season,” Cease said, per MLB.com. “I’ve got to kind of roll with what I’ve got and figure out how I can maybe maximize it a little better.”
The Athletics only picked up four hits and two walks off of Cease, but made the most of reaching the basepaths, stealing five bases in the first three innings to help build a 4-1 lead.
Runners have burned Cease consistently this season, with the Blue Jays star allowing an MLB-high 31 stolen bases against him this season.
“I wish I had a little more focus on that,” Cease said of the steals Monday. “I feel like looking back, I kind of just let it happen. They definitely took advantage.”
With a no decision Monday, Cease’s record remains at 10-5, with his ERA rising to 2.40 after the defeat. He is second in Cy Young odds at FanDuel at +360, though New York Yankees ace Cam Schlittler appears to have the award locked up with -550 odds.
After trailing 5-1 as Cease exited Monday’s game, the Blue Jays rallied to eventually tie the game on an Andres Gimenez solo home run in the top of the ninth inning.
The comeback was all for naught though as the Athletics walked the game off with a single from Jeff McNeil to score a run, costing the Blue Jays a chance to pull even with the Cleveland Guardians for the final wild-card spot once again.
“We’ve got to shake this one off and come back tomorrow,” Toronto manager John Schneider said.
The Blue Jays have two games left in their series against the Athletics before returning home to open a series with the Baltimore Orioles on Friday.
