Game #115 Toronto Blue Jays (46-69) @ Tampa Bay Rays (65-49) - game recap

Bo Bichette scored both Blue Jays runs in a 2-0 shutout over the Rays

After sweeping the Roals and splitting four games with the Orioles, the Blue Jays kicked off week 18 of the sched with a three-game set in Tampa Bay against Eric Sogard and the Rays. Yennsy Dia was sent right back to double-AA a day after being roughed up over 0.2 of an inning. Righty Brock Stewart was recalled to take his spot in the bullpen. Jacob Waguespack got the start against ex-Astro Charlie Morton and we all know what one start in Houston did for Aaron Sanchez. Derek Fisher was back in the lineup after missing a day to recover from taking a routine fly ball off the face. Reese McGuire got the start behind the plate. Freddy Galvis must still be dealing with lingering issues with his back because he was DH'ing tonight. Could the Blue Jays snap the two game winning streak? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Cavan Biggio singled home Bo Bichette
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 3rd as Bichette smacked a solo shot to right-center
• Jacob Waguespack pitching line: 6IP 4H 0R 1BB 4K 96 pitches (62 for strikes)
• Charlie Morton pitching line: 7IP 7H 2R (both earned) 0BB 9K 107 pitches (71 for strikes)
• Derek Law got the final 4 outs for his 2nd save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 2 Rays 0

My Take:

• Jacob Waguespack had a great start tonight, tossing 6 shutout innings, scattering 4 hits, walking one batter and striking out 4. Ever since Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez were traded, I've noticed that the remaining starting pitchers (Trent Thornton, Waguespack, SRF, and Thomas Pannone have really picked up their games. I believe that there's a renewed excitement in the clubhouse as everyone tries to prove they belong in the majors. Hopefully they can keep it up.
• Reese McGuire made a huge defensive play in the bottom of the 7th, nailing Michael Brosseau, who strayed too far from the bag. It left a runner on 1st with 2 outs. Justin Shafer ended up walking Willy Adames, but got Ji-Man Choi to ground out to 1st.
• Bo Bichette returned home literally and responded by scoring both Blue Jays runs, including a solo HR in the 3rd. Freddy Galvis and Randal Grichuk also had multi-hit days with 2-4 nights. Cavan Biggio, Justin Smoak and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had the other 3 Blue Jays hits
• In case anyone's interested, Eric Sogard was 1-4.
• Up next, the Blue Jays go for the series win as Trent Thornton tries to replicate his last outing, which saw him give up one run over 6 innings. The Rays will have their usual bullpen day.