Los Angeles Angels defeat Toronto Blue Jays to prevent three-game series sweep

TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays’ series finale against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday produced a good-news, bad-news afternoon. Mostly bad news, however.

Leading off the unwelcome headlines was Addison Barger having suffered another injury that prevented him from playing in the Blue Jays’ 6-1 loss before 40,977 at Rogers Centre.

Barger returned Saturday after missing 29 games with a sprained left ankle. There was a sign that all was not right with the outfielder because he showed up for his post-game session with reporters with a bandaged pack of ice on his right elbow.

He had earlier drilled home a pinpoint throw from right field to stop a run at the plate in the second inning. It was also the hardest thrown outfield assist in major league baseball this season.

Barger was sent for an MRI to determine the extent of his latest health setback.

“It was kind of weird,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider explained. “He woke up, and he just had a lack of range of motion.

“For the time that he’s missed and how important he is to us, we wanted to be careful so we’ll know when he gets back.”

Following Barger’s difficult developments were the continued struggles of left-hander Eric Lauer.

The Blue Jays allowed Spencer Miles to extend past the traditional one or two innings. He wound up going three shutout innings. Tommy Nance followed with a clean fourth.

Lauer, who went an impressive 9-2 in 15 starts a year ago, has now gone 1-5 in 2026 after Sunday’s outing.

His 80-pitch, five-inning outing saw him yield three homers, six runs on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

“I have to be able to find it earlier,” said Lauer, who gave up four runs in the fifth and the first of two homers by Jo Adell to lead off the sixth.

“It was a combo of getting in bad counts and missed pitches.”

On the positive side of the ledger was the effort from the 25-year-old Miles. The 38-pitch, three innings were his longest outing since his days with the University of Missouri in 2022.

Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker toyed with the idea of not telling his young player about his start until Sunday morning.

“I think he wanted me to get a good night’s sleep,” Miles said. “I slept, just not as good as usual.”

His confidence grew after striking out the second batter he faced, future Hall of Famer Mike Trout.

“Trusting the sinker, trusting my stuff and trying to get that first strike,” Miles said, when asked why his first major league baseball start and 12th appearance went so well.

He ranks fifth among major-league rookies with a 3.00 earned-run average.

“I thought he was obviously really good,” Schneider said. “His stuff held up. The plan was to see how far he could take us with that lineup.

“He continues to check boxes and has good composure. He has good demeanour out there. I really like what I saw.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 10, 2026.

Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press