Game #106 Tampa Bay Rays (59-48) @ Toronto Blue Jays (40-66) - game recap

Teoscar Hernandez hit a walk off solo HR in the 12th as the Blue Jays came from behind to edge the Rays 10-9

Even with a former Rays coach as their manager, the Blue Jays still can't beat the frustrating division rivals. Last night, the Blue Jays dropped another one figuratively and literally. In hindsight, they might have deserved a different outcome had a certain controversial play gone their way. Today, the Blue Jays were back at it, trying to even the three game series. The Rays used another opener with reliever Andrew Kittredge with southpaw Jalen Beeks pitching the bulk of the innings. Ryan Borucki got his second start of the season. He pitched into the 6th inning in his season debut Monday. Eric Sogard was back batting leadoff and playing in RF after a day off yesterday. Randal Grichuk got a half day off, serving as the DH today. Brandon Drury got the start at 1st base for the second straight day (might the Blue Jays have a trade in the works for Justin Smoak?). Oh and Luke Maile pulled an oblique muscle during batting practice and was placed on the 10-day IL. Sogard was the emergency catcher in case Jansen got hurt during the game. Could the Blue Jays snap the 2 game losing streak? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in bottom of the 1st as Randal Grichuk doubled home Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
• The Rays added a run in the top of the 2nd as Willy Adames lined a 3-run blast to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen also scoring Michael Brosseau and Guillermo Heredia
• Four batters later, Travis d'Arnaud smacked a 3-run bomb to left-center also scoring Austin Meadows and Tommy Pham
• The Blue Jays got one back in rhe bottom half of the inning as Cavan Biggio led off with a solo bomb to right-center
• Ryan Borucki pitching line 2IP 8H 6R (all earned) 2BB 3K 61pitches (38 for strikes)
• The Rays added a run in the top of the 3rd as Adames singled home Heredia
• A batter later, Adames scored on a groundout by Pham
• Andrew Kittridge pitching line: 3IP 5H 2R (both earned) 0BB 7K 48 pitches (35 for strikes)
• The Rays added a run in the top of the 6th on a sac fly by Heredia that scored d'Arnaud
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Brandon Drury singled home Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 8th as Brandon Drury smashed a solo bomb to dead center
• A batter latter, Teoscar Hernandez hit an opposite field shot out to right and into the Rays bullpen
• The Blue Jays got three back in the bottom of the 9th as Guerrero Jr. slammed a 3-run blast to left-center also scoring Gurriel Jr. and Randal Grchuk
• Three batters later, Drury hit a game-tying HR to right-center
• Hernandez walked it off in the bottom of the 12th with a solo bomb to dead center
• Final score: Blue Jays 10 Rays 9

My Take:

• Ryan Borucki had one very rough inning in the second inning, giving up a pair of 3-run HR. In all, he gave up 6 runs, 5 hits and a walk in the fateful inning. He simply didn't have it today.
• Once again, the bats cam alive late with 4 HR, including a big 3-run shot by Vlad to complete the unlikely comeback. The Blue Jays were down 9-3 heading into the 8th, but the Rays opted to remove Jalen Beeks after 4IP. They then burned through 5 more pitchers.
• Eric Sogard (2-6), Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (3-6, 2 runs scored), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (2-6, 2 runs scored, 3RBI), Brandon Drury (4-6, 2 runs scored, 3RBI, and Teoscar Hernandez (2 solo HR, including the game-winner in the 12th) all had strong days at the plate
• Every starter except Danny Jansen had at least one hit today
• Full credit to the bullpen who held the Rays to 1 hit (solo HR by Heredia off Wilmer Font in the 6th) who retired 19 straight Rays batters
• Up next, the Blue Jays go for the series win as Aaron Sanchez tries to build on his best start of the season (1 run on 5 hits and 6 strikeouts over 5 innings and 80 pitches. The Rays will counter with righty Yonny Chirinos