The Blue Jays had a tough Sunday, losing both games of the doubleheader to the division leading New York Yankees. But what happened after the game was even more chaotic for the struggling team. Pitcher Kevin Gausman, one of the Blue Jays top arms, had a rough day that ended with his ejection—and a pretty embarrassing misstep.
A Day Gone Wrong: The Blue Jays’ Doubleheader Woes
It wasn’t just another loss for the Blue Jays—it was a series of unfortunate events. In two games they scored only 3 runs combined and are now 13-15 on the season. The Yankees are 17-11 and lead the American League East by 4 games.
For Kevin Gausman it was arguably his worst outing of the year. 2.2 innings, 6 earned runs, 5 walks. His ERA went from 3.16 to 4.50. For a guy known for being consistent this was uncharacteristic and clearly frustrating.
Gausman’s Heated Exchange with the Umpire
Things got worse when Gausman was ejected in the second game. As he was leaving the mound after the inning he was pulled he exchanged words with home-plate umpire Chris Conroy. According to MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson, Gausman told reporters after the game he wasn’t exactly subtle.
“As I was coming off the mound, I let him know I was going to watch his bad umpiring inside,” Gausman said. “Didn’t see the stairs.”
That last part? He tripped and fell down the dugout stairs as he was heading back after being ejected—an awkward moment that was caught on camera and is already online.
This is only the 3rd ejection of Gausman’s 13 year career. So yeah, it’s not common for him to lose his cool. But given the circumstances, I get it.
Manager John Schneider Joins the Fray
Gausman wasn’t the only one tossed. Manager John Schneider was ejected later in the game after arguing a call on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s at-bat. Schneider’s tantrum showed the growing frustration in the Blue Jays dugout as calls were going against them all day.
Between Gausman’s meltdown, Schneider’s ejection and the overall stinkiness of the game, it was clear tempers were short in the Bronx.
Did Gausman Go Too Far?
While yelling at an umpire is part of the game, Gausman’s words raised questions if he went too far. By calling out Conroy’s officiating, he risked making things worse—especially since MLB is cracking down on player-umpire incidents lately.
On the other hand, Gausman was honest postgame. He didn’t try to sugarcoat or make excuses. He owned up to his mistake and maybe hoping to move on from it.
What This Means Going Forward?
For the Blue Jays, this loss and the drama that came with it comes at a bad time. With the Yankees pulling ahead in the division, Toronto needs to regroup fast. Gausman’s struggles on the mound adds another layer of concern since the team relies on the rotation to stay in the game.
As for Gausman himself, this is a reminder to keep his cool even when he’s losing his mind. While the fall down the stairs might be funny, the underlying issues are serious.
Leave a Reply