TORONTO — The Rogers Centre scoreboard malfunctioned in the sixth inning on Thursday shortly after the Kansas City offence started to pour it on.
It was probably best the Toronto Blue Jays and the sellout crowd of 42,621 were spared from seeing the gory details.
The Royals scored six times in the frame and piled on for a 13-2 rout that dented the Blue Jays’ fading playoff chances.
“It’s never a good feeling to be sitting there when (they) put up a six spot and we’re thin on pitching,” said Toronto manager John Schneider.
Carter Jensen hit a leadoff homer, Jac Caglianone drove in six runs and Bobby Witt Jr. scored three times as the Royals (60-75) won for the 10th time in 11 games.
Caglianone had a two-run single in the second inning and added another in the sixth inning. He tacked on a two-run homer in the ninth to finish with five hits and three runs scored.
Vinnie Pasquantino also homered for the Royals. George Springer hit a two-run shot for the Blue Jays, who were outhit 16-8.
Kansas City led 4-0 after two innings and drilled Toronto reliever Simeon Woods-Richardson for six earned runs in the sixth.
Boo-birds could be heard around the stadium throughout the frame, particularly when Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a weak grounder to second base.
“When you’re getting your ass kicked pretty good, they’re allowed to have their opinion,” Schneider said. ‘But we love their support every night."
Guerrero, who was 0 for 3 with a walk, has yet to hit a home run at Rogers Centre this season.
Toronto (65-70) missed an opportunity to gain ground in the American League playoff race.
The Blue Jays fell 3 1/2 games behind the Cleveland Guardians, who hold the third wild-card spot. The Texas Rangers, who are two games behind Cleveland, were also idle.
Toronto starter Spencer Arrighetti (7-7) gave up three straight hits to open the game. He allowed three earned runs, five hits and three walks over his four-inning appearance.
“Obviously I would like to give the team more of a chance when we’re in a push like we are,” Arrighetti said. “I feel like I didn’t really do that tonight, and that’ll be my goal the next time out.”
Newly signed reliever Michael Lorenzen was pressed into action shortly after arriving in Toronto. He threw 42 pitches over two innings and gave up one earned run.
Position player Myles Straw worked the ninth inning for the Blue Jays.
Toronto’s chances of reaching the post-season stood at 9.8 per cent after the game, per FanGraphs. The 65-70 Blue Jays - currently last in the American League East Division standings - have 27 games remaining.
Toronto ace Dylan Cease (8-5, 2.37) was tabbed to start on Friday night against the Seattle Mariners in the opener of a three-game series.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 28, 2026.
Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press
