Blue Jays Rout Guardians 10-0, Cantillo Struggles
The Toronto Blue Jays scored early and often, handing the Cleveland Guardians a 10-0 loss on Wednesday. Starter Joey Cantillo allowed nine runs over 5.1 innings, while the Guardians' offense was shut out. The defeat evened the three-game series at Progressive Field.
Cantillo's rough outing marked his 29th start of the season, a campaign defined by inconsistency but also resilience—he has repeatedly rebounded after difficult appearances. His final line was inflated by two inherited runners scoring under reliever Carlos Hernandez, pushing his earned total to nine despite only four being charged directly to him. Hernandez, meanwhile, made an emotional return to the majors after surviving a serious car crash in December. He settled in after a shaky sixth, striking out two in the seventh before surrendering a solo homer to Josh Smith in the eighth, prompting position player Austin Hedges to take the mound.
This lopsided loss could weigh on Cleveland's clubhouse morale as the season winds down, particularly for young pitchers like Cantillo who are still developing consistency. Fans may grow concerned about the rotation's reliability in high-stakes late-season matchups, though Hernandez's comeback story offers a counterpoint of perseverance. The result also tightens the series narrative, potentially influencing playoff positioning and ticket demand for the rubber match.