Game #139 Tampa Bay Rays (75-64) @ Toronto Blue Jays (63-76) - game recap

Alemedys Diaz was 2-4 with 3RBI and a pair of runs scored as the Blue Jays routed the Rays 10-3

Two tough losses to start this three game series and the team was looking to salvage one game against the pesky Rays. The team might be due for a huge game or another letdown. Jonathan Davis was making his MLB debut in center field tonight. Aaron Sanchez was looking toregain his form pre-injury as his first two starts off the DL were so-so at best. Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Justin Smoak singled scoring Billy McKinney
• A batter later, Kendrys Morales singled home Devon Travis
• Two batters later, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. singled home Smoak
• A batter later, Aledmys Diaz blasted a three run HR to left also scoring Morales and Gurriel Jr.
• Four batters later, Travis singled home Danny Jansen
• Tyler Glasnow pitching line: 0.2IP 5H 7R (all earned) 2BB 2K 39 pitches (23 for strikes)
• The Rays got one back in the top of the 2nd as Kevin Kiermaier hit a solo HR to left-center
• Five batters later, Brandon Lowe was forced in on a bases loaded walk
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 5th as McKinney hit a solo HR to right
• The Rays got one back in the top of the 6th as Kiermaier homered to straightaway center
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 6th as Rowdy Tellez doubled scoring Diaz
• Aaron Sanchez pitching line: 6IP 6H 3R (all earned) 2BB 8K 98 pitches (57 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 7th as Grichuk singled scoring Smoak
• Final score: Blue Jays 10 Rays 3

My Take

• The Blue Jays jumped right out of the gate putting up 7 runs on 5 hits and a pair of walks on Rays starter Tyler Glasnow. who only recorded two outs before mercifully being removed. It was nice to see the Blue Jays score 4 of the runs off singles and doubles. Home runs are great but you can't be one-dimensional and only score off the long ball or you'll be too easy to defend/pitch to.
• Aaron Sanchez looked better in this start. He had a bit of a rough inning in the 2nd, allowing a pair of runs on three hits and a pair of walks. He had perfect innings in the 1st, 3rd and 5th. Sanchez retired 6 in a row on two separate occasions. I'll take a couple of more starts like tonight to get Sanchez into the off-season feeling positive.
• The Blue Jays scored double digits in runs for the first time since they beat Baltimore 13-3 back on June 10
• Congrats to Rowdy Tellez for getting his first MLB hit and RBI.
• The bullpen was rock solid today, pitching three perfect innings.
• Every Blue Jays starter except Jonathan Davis had at least one hit. Davis struck out all three times he came to the plate. He had one fly ball hit his way in the 6th, which he caught.
• Devon Travis, Kendrys Morales and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. each had 3 hits and Justin Smoak and Aledmys Diaz had a pair of hits each.
• Up next, the Cleveland Indians, minus Josh Donaldson, come to town for a four game series starting tomorrow. as Indians righty Shane Bieber (no relation to Justin Bieber) pitches against Jays righty Sam Gaviglio.