Game #107 Tampa Bay Rays (60-48) @ Toronto Blue Jays (40-67) - game recap

Austin Meadows scored the go-ahead run in the top of the 9th as the Rays came from behind to edge the Blue Jays 10-9

After an epic late inning comeback win thanks to a bullpen that recorded 19 straight outs and the bats of Teoscar Hernandez (2 HR including the walk-off in the 12th), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (huge 3run HR to get the Blue Jays within 1) and Brandon Drury (2HR including the game-tying HR in the 9th), the Blue Jays were going for the rare series win vs. the TB Rays. Eric Sogard was a late scratch and was traded during the game to the Rays. Aaron Sanchez was looking to snap a three month long winless streak. Reese McGuire got the start behind the plate. Justin Smoak was back at 1st base after several days off from playing in the field. Vlad got a half day off, serving as the DH today. Could this current roster give the fans once last victory before several likely trades? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Justin Smoak smoked one out to left-center
• Four batters later, Teoscar Hernandez doubled scoring Billy McKinney
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 3rd as Cavan Biggio scored on a wild pitch by Yonny Chirinos
• Two batters later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled home Freddy Galvis
• The Rays got one back in the top of the 5th as Matt Duffy singled home Nate Lowe
• The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning as Guerrero Jr. singled scoring Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Smoak
• Two batters later, McKinney crushed a two-riun HR to the second deck in right also scoring Guerrero Jr.
• Yonny Chirinos pitching line: 4IP 8H 7R (all earned) 3BB 4K 93 pitches (56 for strikes)
• The Rays got a pair back in the top of the 6th as Travis d'Arnaud doubled home Ji-Man Choi and Tommy Pham
• A batter later, Lowe singled scoring d'Arnaud
• Aaron Sanchez pitching line: 5.2IP 6H 4R (all earned) 0BB 10K 95 pitches (67 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 6th as Guerrero Jr. double home Gurriel Jr.
• The Rays got a pair back in the top of the 7th as Choi crushed a 2-run bomb to dead center also scoring Willy Adames
• The Rays got two more back in the top of the 8th as Guillermo Heredia lined a 2-run blast to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen also scoring Joey Wendle
• A batter later, Adames smash a solo blast to dead center
• The Rays took the lead in the top of the 9th as Austin Meadows scored on a groundout by Wendle
• Diego Castillo got the final 2 outs for his 8th save of the season
• Final score: Rays 10 Blue Jays 9 

My Take:

• You have to feel bad for Aaron Sanchez, who looked spectacular through the 1st 3 innings, retiring the first nine batters in order. He started tiring in the 5th and 6th innings, allowing a combined 4 runs on 5 hits in those two innings. He then had to watch the bullpen blow the 5 run lead, allowing 6 runs in the final 3 innings. Sanchez must feel like he'll never win again.
• The bats came alive early, but not late, building an 8-1 lead after 5 innings. Every Blue Jays starter except Brandon Drury had at least one hit today. Vlad was excellent with a 3-4 effort, driving in 4 runs and scoring once. Billy McKinney also had a good day at the plate with a 2 run HR and drawing a walk. Teoscar Hernandez was 2-3 with an RBI and 2 walks
• Up next, the Blue Jays hit the road, opening a three-game series against Kansas City tomorrow. Thomas Pannone will get the spot start against Royals righty Brad Keller