Blue Jays find a new way to lose vs. Dodgers, drop seventh straight

TORONTO – The Toronto Blue Jays were perilously close to ending their losing streak. Then they discovered a new way to lose.

With the Blue Jays a strike away from their first victory since July 13, the ball bounced over the head of centre fielder Colby Rasmus, allowing the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig to cross the plate and tie the score. An implosion by reliable reliever Juan Perez in the 10th inning sealed the Blue Jays’ seventh straight loss, 8-3 to the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Rogers Centre.

When closer Casey Janssen entered the game in the ninth to protect a one-run lead, it looked like Toronto finally had a winning recipe. Starter Esmil Rogers worked his way out of several jams, and the offence manufactured the go-ahead run in the eighth.

But in a season that has grown increasingly frustrating, Rasmus’ error provided another chapter. Andre Ethier lined a 1-2 pitch to centre, and it hopped over Rasmus’ head, scoring Puig from first.

When the Blue Jays couldn’t bail Rasmus out, the vaunted bullpen fell apart for the second straight night. One of the team’s lone bright spots blew a five-run lead Tuesday, and on Wednesday Perez had his nearly-perfect season hit a roadblock.

Perez, who entered with a 0.00 ERA, allowed a walk and then a two-run home run to Dodgers second baseman Mark Ellis. It was just the start of an unravelling inning.

Puig homered to break the game open, and later Ethier hit a two-run double to send fans streaming to the exits.

Rasmus’ error was one of five total in the game, and it cost all-star Steve Delabar a victory and Janssen his 19th save of the season.