Sunday, April 14, 2019

Game #16 Tampa Bay Rays (12-4) @ Toronto Blue Jays (5-11) - game recap

Billy McKinney was 3-5 with a pair of  runs scored and a pair of RBI  in a losing effort as the Rays doubled up on the Blue Jays 8-4

After a hard-fought victory over the Rays, the Blue Jays were going for their first series win over the AL East rivals in 20 months.The last time the Blue Jays won a series over the Rays was August 14-18, 2017 when the Blue Jays took three of four from TB. Today's starter Marcus Stroman got one of the wins in that series. Socrates Brito was back in the lineup, looking for his first hit in a Blue Jays uniform. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was at second base, hoping not to screw up. Could the Blue Jays end the brief home stand on a high? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:
  • The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Freddy Galvis singled home Billy McKinney
  • The Rays tied the game in the top of the 3rd as Brandon Lowe singled scoring Michael Perez
  • The Rays added a run in the top of the 4th as Kevin Kiermaier scored on a ground out by Austin Meadows
  • A batter later, Willy Adames scored on a ground out by Yandy Diaz
  • Marcus Stroman pitching line: 4IP 3H 3R (none earned) 4BB 5K 91 pitches (51 for strikes)
  • Charlie Morton pitching line: 4.2IP 4H 1R (earned) 3BB 4K 93 pitches (53 for strikes)
  • The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 7th as Freddy Galvis launched a solo shot to straightaway center
  • The Rays got one back in the top of the 8th as Kiermaier doubled home Avisail Garcia
  • Two batters later, Mike Zunino singled scoring Daniel Robertson
  • A batter later, Guillermo Heredia sent screamer just inside the foul pole in left, also scoring Zunino
  • The Blue Jays got a pair back in the 9th as Billy McKinney cracked a 2 run blast to right center, also scoring Danny Jansen
  • Final score: Rays 8 Blue Jays 4
My Take:
  • Marcus Stroman had a rough outing because he could not control his emotions. Let's be honest, Stroman didn't have his best stuff, walking a batter in each of the 1st two innings. However, where Stroman really came unraveled was the top of the 3rd when Lourdes Gurriel Jr. bounced a short throw to 1st well wide of the mark (Justin Smoak managed to snag the ball to prevent the runner from advancing further). That should have been the third out in the inning with the 1-0 lead still intact. Instead, Stroman was clearly frustrated and walked the next batter and gave up a game-tying single. The next inning, Stroman threw the ball away on a comebacker that should have been an easy out. He allowed a walk and single before limiting the damage to a pair of runs conceded for ground outs. Stroman's emotions definitely get in the way of his arsenal at times and today was one of those days
  • Lourdes  Gurriel Jr's days with the Blue Jays may be coming to an end with Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. both due to be recalled in a matter of days/weeks. Gurriel Jr. threw the ball away on what should have been a sure out and indirectly ended Stroman's night an inning or so early
  • Thomas Pannone became the 3rd pitcher in team history to have an immaculate inning (nine straight pitches to strike out the side)
  • The top of the batting order did all the damage offensively. Billy McKinney and Freddy Galvis combined to score three runs on five hits and 4RBI.
  • Javy Guerra had his second straight rough outing in three days. After getting knocked around for 3 runs on 4 hits and a walk Friday, Guerra gave up two more runs on a hit and a walk
  • Lefty Tim Mayza didn't fare any better, getting lit up for 3 runs on 4 hits and a walk in a third of an inning
  • Up next, the Blue Jays hit the road as they begin a 4 game set in Minny tomorrow. Matt Shoemaker looks for his 4th start win to start his Blue Jays tenure. He'll be up against Twins southpaw Martin Perez.