Game #37 - Toronto Blue Jays (16-21) @ Tampa Bay Rays (24-12) - game recap

 

After dropping yesterday's game due to Tyler Rogers blowing the save, the Blue Jays were looking to snap the 3 game skid and avoid getting swept for the 2nd time this season.  Patrick Corbin got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate.  Vlad was back in the lineup at 1b after the complete day off yesterday. Davis Schneider was in LF and Yohendrick Pinago was in RF. Ernie Clement was at SS and Lenyn Sosa got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays snap the 3-game skid and avoid being swept for the 2nd time this season?  Here is today's game recap. 

Game Highlights:

• The Rays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 4th as Jonny DeLuca doubled scoring Jonathan Aranda
• Two batters later, Chandler Simpson singled home DeLuca
• Shane McClanahan pitching line: 5.2IP 2H 0R 1BB 4K 69 pitches (47 for strikes)
• Patrick Corbin pitching line: 5.1IP 5H 2R (both earned) 2BB 1K 61 pitches (37 for strikes)
• The Rays added a run in the bottom of the 8th on a fielder's choice hit by  LeDuca that scored Cedric Mullins.  Ernie Clement was charged with a throwing error on the play 
• Ian Seymour threw a perfect 9th for his 1st save of the season
• Final score Rays 3 Blue Jays 0

My Take:

• Patrick Corbin fired 5.1 innings, giving up a pair of runs on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 1. Patrick Corbin continues to consistently give the Blue Jays a chance to win. He pitched his way out of s tough jam in the 1st inning and held the Rays off the scoreboard other than the 4th inning. Given the injury situation with Jose Berrios (who suffered a setback his last rehab start), Max Scherzer (who isn't bouncing back from the forearm strain the way he would like) and Shane Bieber, who might be back in June if no setbacks, Corbin should be in the rotation for a while with the struggling Eric Lauer likely to be the first pitcher to be replaced in the rotation once the injured bodies start coming back. 
• The bullpen gave up an unearned run on a hit and 3 walks while striking out 2 over the last 2.2 innings.  Mason Fluharty retired every batter he faced. 
• The feeble offense continues to putter along. They managed just 5 total baserunners today.  Myles Straw got half the hits (2) on the day. Davis c Schneider, a likely candidate to be optioned once Addison Barger comes back, remains ice cold. I think the team is really missing Don Mattingly.
• Ernie Clement successfully overturned the Blue Jays only ABS challenge and Rays catcher Nick Fortes was 2-1 on ABS challenges
• The Blue Jays were 0-4 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, after an off day tomorrow, the Blue Jays open a week long homestand as they take on the Angels.  The Blue jays took the series in LA/Anaheim, outscoring the Angels 12-11. Dylan Cease starts against Angels lefty Reid Detmers

Game #37 - Toronto Blue Jays (16-20) @ Tampa Bay Rays (23-12)

 

Game #36 - Toronto Blue Jays (16-19) @ Tampa Bay Rays (22-12)

 

Game #35 - Toronto Blue Jays (16-19) @ Tampa Bay Rays (22-12) - game recap

 

Vladimir Guerrero Jr,. drove in the Blue Jays only run in a 5-1 loss to the Rays

After dropping the finale of the series yesterday due to a late rally falling short and a bad outing from reliever Brayden Fisher, the Blue Jays continued the road trip in Tampa Bay. The Rays won last year's season series 7-6, outscoring the Blue Jays 58-48. Eric Lauer got the start with Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday. Daulton Varsho got the half day off as DH with Myles Straw in CF. Could the Blue Jays start the week with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Rays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Ryan Vilade drilled a 3-run jack to left-center; also scoring Chandler Simpson and Junior Caminero
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 3rd as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled scoring Yohendrick Pinago
• Eric Lauer pitching line: 4.1IP 5H 3R (all earned) 1BB 2K 61 pitches (44 for strikes)
• Nick Martinez pitching line: 5IP 5H 1R (earned) 1BB 4K 71 pitches (51 for strikes)
• The Rays added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 6th as Taylor Walls singled scoring Jonathan Aranda and Ben Williamson
• Bryan Baker got the last out for his 9th save of the season
• Final score: Rays 5 Blue Jays 1

My Take:

• Eric Lauer battled through 4 innings, giving up 3 runs on 5 hits while walking 1 and striking out 4. There's no doubt he regrets making the comment about not liking the idea of an opener pitching in front of him. He did himself no favors on that front when he gave up three runs on one swing in the 1st inning to put his team in a 3-0 hole after 1 inning. At this point, he might be asked to be the long man until Shane Bieber returns from injury, but at this point, I'd just release him because he hasn't done enough to demonstrate he can be trusted even in that lower leverage role and the Blue Jays have plenty of lefties in the bullpen at the moment anyway.
• The bullpen gave up a pair of runs, both charged to Spencer Miles, on 6 hits while walking none and striking out 3 over the last 3.2 innings. None of the relievers was able to retire every batter they faced today, but at least most of the high leverage guys, except maybe Mason Fluharty were not used today.
• Offensively, Vlad drove in the only run on the night with a clutch single in the 3rd inning. They have their opportunities with everyone but Daulton Varsho getting at least a hit, but they weren't able to get the hits with runners in scoring position. Overall, their approach at the plate hasn't been as giood as last year, chasing pitches they weren't a year ago\
• The Rays were 0-1 on ABS challenges and Jesus Sanchez successfully overturned the Blue Jays only ABS challenge
• The Blue Jays were 1-8 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 2-game skid and even the series. Ace Kevin Gausman starts against Rays righty Drew Rasmussen

Game #35 - Toronto Blue Jays (16-18) @ Tampa Bay Rays (21-12)