Milwaukee Brewers fans let All-Star closer Trevor Megill hear it after he blew a save, but manager Pat Murphy was not having it.

Murphy passionately defended Megill after he blew a 4-3 lead in the Brewers’ eventual 9-7 extra-inning loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday at American Family Field.

“These aren’t machines out there. These are people,” Murphy said at his postgame press conference.

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Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy reacts during the third inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, on April 6, 2026. (Paul Rutherford/Imagn Images)

“But the fans booing him after he saved 30 games for this team, a kid that’s been through all that he’s been through and what he did the year before for us to help us win the division,” Murphy said. “For them to be booing him, that’s just not our best fans, that’s for sure.”

The 32-year-old closer has struggled this season, as he has a 14.40 ERA and an 0-2 record in six games, while recording three saves in five innings pitched. It’s far cry from his performance last year when in 50 games he recorded a 2.49 ERA with 30 saves in 47 innings pitched and was named to his first All-Star team.

The California native has given up eight earned runs through five innings this season. Last year, he didn’t allow his eighth earned run until mid-June.

RED SOX OUTFIELDER JARREN DURAN FLIPS OFF FAN WHO ALLEGEDLY TOLD HIM TO HARM HIMSELF IN LOSS TO TWINS

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Trevor Megill catches a ball during the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on April 14, 2026. (Aaron Gash/AP Photo)

While Murphy was critical of the fans, he acknowledged their frustration, as Tuesday’s loss was the team’s sixth straight, marking the Brewer’s longest losing streak since 2023. Murphy also acknowledged that Megill has struggled so far this year.

“Is he throwing the ball well? No,” Murphy said. “Is he giving up hard contact? Yes. Do they swing at it like they know it’s coming? Yes. But did the guy save 30 games for us last year? I think he did. My heart goes out to him right now. It bleeds for him. He’s feeling it.”

Megill agreed with his manager’s assessment.

“I’m definitely way better than that,” Megill said. “Pitches can be a lot better. Pitch execution can be a lot better. A lot of things can be better.”

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Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Trevor Megill reacts after allowing an RBI single in the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on April 14, 2026. (Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

The manager said he has considered removing Megill from the closer role amid his struggles, but didn’t want to make any decisions after an emotional loss.

“The way he’s throwing the ball now, he doesn’t deserve it,” Murphy said, “but he can earn it back.”

The Brewers (8-8) will play the Blue Jays (7-9) in the second game of their three-game series on Wednesday at 7:40 p.m. ET.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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TORONTO – John Tavares and his teammates opened the NHL season with plenty of hope.

Toronto’s sports scene was buzzing. The Blue Jays were in the early stages of what would turn into a memorable run to the World Series.

The Maple Leafs, meanwhile, had made the second round of the playoffs just the second time in the league’s salary cap era back in the spring.

Sure, star winger Mitch Marner had bolted town, but the Original Six club still found itself among the Stanley Cup favourites with a core led by captain Auston Matthews and supported by Tavares and fellow star forward William Nylander.

Things went off the rails quickly. Now it’s almost time for the autopsy after missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade.

Toronto (32-35-14) closed out its home schedule Monday with an entertaining, mistake-filled 6-5 loss to the Dallas Stars (49-20-12) where the Maple Leafs had built a 3-0 lead by the first intermission and led 5-3 midway through the third.

“When you know it’s the last home game, it’s not a good sign,” said the 35-year-old Tavares. “In some ways, tough coming in today knowing this was the last routine you’re going through, opportunity to go play in front of your fans. In some ways it’s difficult, but you try to go out there and put your best foot forward.

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“Unfortunately, it was some of the same for us.”

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Head coach Craig Berube, whose future is unclear beyond Wednesday’s finale in Ottawa against the Senators, lamented another night where crucial errors cost his group.

The playoff-bound Stars, meanwhile, became just the sixth team in NHL history — and first in almost 40 years — to overcome three-goal and two-goal deficits in the same game en route to a regulation win.

Despite the bitterly frustrating season, fans still on hand at Scotiabank Arena gave the players a nice ovation after the final buzzer.

“The support in Toronto is fabulous,” said Berube, whose club finished 18-15-8 on home ice. “It’s been fabulous for as long as I can remember, and it’s going to continue to be fabulous. It’s a great hockey market, it’s a great sports town. The fans are awesome here.

“This is a special place.”

Another member of the organization with clouds of uncertainty is defenceman Morgan Rielly. The longest-serving member of the current roster with 950 games across 13 campaigns, there are questions about his future with a club that will look to a chart its path once a new brain trust is in place following general manager Brad Treliving’s firing last month.

The 32-year-old Rielly, who has four seasons left on a contract that carries a US$7.5-million salary cap hit, would have to agree to a trade out of Toronto, but he was asked following the morning skate if he’d thought about Monday potentially being his last home game.

“It’s crossed my mind,” Rielly told reporters. “All athletes have that at some point.”

Tavares called the blueliner “one of the most selfless teammates” he’s played alongside.

“The way he handles himself day-to-day, the way he puts the team first, and how much he cares about each and every individual,” Tavares said post-game as the Maple Leafs fell to 0-5-1 over their last six. “And you talk about the level of hockey’s played for an extended period of time. With where we’re at this season, it’s pretty obvious everyone’s got to look themselves in the mirror.

“We didn’t come close to where we wanted to get to, so that’s on everyone. He’d be the first guy to put his hand in the air saying, ‘I gotta be better. I got to find ways to improve my game’ — especially as a leader to continue to push forward and find ways to push the group to where we need it to go.”

LOTTERY TALK

The Maple Leafs will surrender their first-round pick at June’s NHL draft to an Atlantic Division rival, the Boston Bruins, if it falls in the top-5 after the lottery.

Tavares was asked what it was like to a play on a night where many of Toronto’s fans were hoping for a loss.

“There should be an extreme amount of pride to play in this league, to play this game, and to wear the crest that we’re wearing,” he said. “I try to approach each game the same, no matter the circumstances, the challenges, the spot you’re in.”

FINAL BOW

Legendary longtime play-by-play man Joe Bowen called his final Maple Leafs home game after 43 years working in radio and television.

The 75-year-old was honoured in the third period with a video tribute and raucous standing ovation.

“Extremely special,” Tavares said. “Couldn’t be more well-deserved. He’ll be in Leafs lore for forever.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 14, 2026.

&copy 2026 The Canadian Press

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Cody Ponce was carted off the field in his first MLB start since 2021 with an apparent leg injury.

Ponce, 31, sustained the injury while trying to field a bouncing ground ball between the pitcher’s mound and first base in the third inning of the Blue Jays’ 14-5 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Monday night at the Rogers Centre.

Ponce seemed to take a bad step and hobbled for a couple of strides before falling to the infield dirt. First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. immediately waved toward the dugout before Ponce crumpled to the ground.

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Blue Jays’ Cody Ponce tips his cap to fans after leaving the game with an injury during the Colorado Rockies game at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada, on March 30, 2026. (Kevin Sousa/Imagn Images)

The Pomona, California, native remained down until he was helped onto the cart. Ponce was emotional on the cart but waved to fans as he was being taken off the field.

Ponce had last pitched in the big leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021, pitching to a 7.04 ERA in 15 appearances. He spent three seasons in Japan before pitching in South Korea in 2025, and earned a three-year, $30 million contract from the Blue Jays this offseason.

METS’ BO BICHETTE ADDRESSES BOOS FROM FANS AS HE STRUGGLES IN OPENING SERIES

Blue Jays pitcher Cody Ponce throws against the Colorado Rockies in Toronto, Canada, on March 30, 2026. (Jon Blacker/The Canadian Press via AP)

He pitched 2.1 innings while striking out three and allowing one run to score in his start before he was injured.

It is unclear when Ponce could return to action.

Ponce was projected to be a big part of the Blue Jays’ starting rotation as they look to return to the World Series after falling just two outs shy of beating the Los Angeles Dodgers in last year’s Fall Classic.

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Toronto Blue Jays’ Cody Ponce pitches at the Rogers Centre on March 30, 2026. (Kevin Sousa/Imagn Images)

Dylan Cease, who signed a seven-year, $210 million deal with the Blue Jays, was also brought in alongside Ponce to fortify the rotation.

The Blue Jays (3-1) will look to bounce back from the loss when they play the Rockies (1-3) in the second game of their three-game series on Tuesday at 7:07 p.m. ET.

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The Colorado Rockies (1-3) went against all odds and got their first of the season in the series opener against the Toronto Blue Jays (3-1) on Monday. The Rockies’ lineup scored seven runs in the sixth inning against Blue Jays relievers Spencer Miles and Brendon Little after starter Cody Ponce suffered a knee injury earlier in the game.

The Rockies will hope to continue their momentum at the Rogers Centre as the Blue Jays look to bounce back against the lesser-fancied opponents.

Blue Jays vs. Rockies Game 2: Projected Lineups and Starters

Starting Lineups

Blue Jays

1. DH G. Springer R
2. LF Nathan Lukes L
3. 1B V. Guerrero R
4. RF A. Barger L
5. C A. Kirk R
6. CF D. Varsho L
7. 3B K. Okamoto R
8. 2B E. Clement R
9. SS A. Gimenez L

Rockies

1. LF J. McCarthy L
2. C H. Goodman R
3. 2B Willi Castro S
4. SS E. Tovar R
5. 1B T. Rumfield L
6. RF Jordan Beck R
7. CF B. Doyle R
8. DH E. Julien L
9. 3B Kyle Karros R

Starting Pitchers

Blue Jays: Max Scherzer, 5-5 record, 5.19 ERA, 82 Ks, 1.29 WHIP in 2025

Rockies: Ryan Feltner, 0-2 record, 4.75 ERA, 25 Ks, 1.48 WHIP in 2025

Blue Jays vs. Rockies Game 2: Preview

Despite the loss, the Blue Jays lineup was able to hit four home runs on Monday. George Springer, Andres Gimenez, Davis Schneider and Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto, who hit his maiden MLB home run, went yard for the team. Starting for them will be Max Scherzer, whose 2025 postseason was an indication that he still has a lot to give at 41.

Opposing him will be Ryan Feltner, who had a shortened 2025 season, pitching only six times. He held a 4.49 ERA in 30 starts in 2024. Ezeqiuel Tovar leads Colorado with five RBIs in their four games.

Blue Jays vs. Rockies Game 2: Projected Odds, Tips and Prediction

Moneyline: Rockies +218, Blue Jays -271

Total: Over 8.5 (-110), Under 8.5 (-110)

Run Line: Rockies +1.5 (+104), Blue Jays -1.5 (-126)

The Blue Jays remain heavily favored to take the win, although their blowout loss on Sunday must have affected the total and the run line, which seem closer than they should for a matchup that has a clear winner.

Prediction: Blue Jays 5, Rockies 4