Game #105 Tampa Bay Rays (59-47) @ Toronto Blue Jays (39-66) - game recap

Travis d'Arnaud drove in a pair of runs in a 3-1 victory over the Blue Jays 

The Blue Jays better have enjoyed their day off yesterday because it's now twenty days before the next off day (August 15th). Tonight, the Blue Jays began a three-game set with the Tampa Bay Rays and potentially the last home series for Eric Sogard (not in the lineup tonight), Aaron Sanchez (might get a bucket of balls for him), Freddy Galvis, Justin Smoak, Marcus Stroman, David Phelps and Ken Giles. None of the above have been moved yet, but could be any second. Cavan Biggio was batting leadoff for the first time in his career. Jacob Waguespack got the start on the mound with Danny Jansen behind the plate. Could the Blue Jays beat the Rays? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• Diego Castillo pitching line: 1IP 0H 0R 0BB 1K 10 pitches (6 for strikes)
• The Rays opened the scoring in the top of the 3rd as Austin Meadows tripled home Tommy Pham
• The Blue Jays tied the game in the bottom of the 4th on a ground-rule double by Freddy Galvis that scored Justin Smoak
• The Rays retook the lead in the top of the 5th as Travis d'Arnaud singled scoring Willy Adames and Ji-Man Choi
• Jacob Waguespack pitching line: 5IP 6H 3R (all earned) 3BB 2K 93 pitches (54 for strikes)
• Colin Poche threw a perfect 9th for his 1st save of the season
• Final score: Rays 3 Blue Jays 1

My Take:

• Jacob Waguespack fired 5 innings, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits, while walking 3 and striking out a pair. At this point, I'm more concerned with saving the bullpen with so many days before the next off day. Four relievers were used today. I expect Waguespack will get a regular turn in the rotation for the remainder of the season
• The umpiring was awful tonight, blowing 2 key calls. In the top of the 1st Tommy Pham stole second base. Replays appeared to show Freddy Galvis tagging Pham when he was in a plank position. Pham had both hands on either side of the base and his upper body was above the base, but did not appear to have made contact. The other erroneous call came in the bottom of the 4th when Freddy Galvis slapped a ball down the line. Pham deflected/threw the ball into the stands. By the rule, Galvis and the other baserunners should have been awarded an extra base. Instead, it was ruled a ground-rule double and only Smoak was allowed to score. This call was more crucial because the Blue Jays would have had the lead.
• Not much to say about the offence. Four base hits (1 each by Smoak, Randal Grichuk, Galvis and Brandon Drury) and 3 walks (1 each drawn by Vlad, Smoak and Danny Jansen)
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to even the series as Ryan Borucki gets his second start of the season. Blue Jays batters will be facing another slew of Rays relievers, starting with an opener likely to go 1-2 innings.