Game #142 Toronto Blue Jays (55-87) @ Tampa Bay Rays (84-59) - game recap

Austin Meadows was 2-4 with a run scored and an RBI as the Rays shutout the Blue Jays 5-0

After losing their 4th in a row last night, the Blue Jays try to snap the 4 game losing skid against a Rays team fighting for a wild card spot. Clay Buchholz made his 3rd start since coming off the disabled list. Utility man Brandon Drury got the start at 2nd base giving Cavan Biggio the complete day off. Teoscar Hernandez was for whatever reason known only to Charlie Montoyo batting in the #2 hole tonight. Danny Jansen got his first start behind the plate this week. Rowdy Tellez got the start at 1B and Jonathan Davis and Anthony Alford were playing the two corner infield positions. Could this more AAA-level lineup than MLB-level lineup pull off a miracle? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Rays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Avisail Garcia doubled home Austin Meadows
• The Rays added a [air of runs in the bottom of the 2nd as Mike Zunino slammed a 2-run blast to left-center also scoring Kevin Kiermaier
• Brendan McKay pitching line: 3.2IP 1H 0R 0BB 7K 59 pitches (36 for strikes)
• The Rays added a run in the bottom of the 4th on a passed ball by Danny Jansen that scored Willy Adames
• Clay Buchholz pitching line: 6IP 7H 4R (3 earned) 0BB 3K 90 pitches (63 for strikes)
• The Rays added a run in the bottom of the 8th as Meadows singled scoring Joey Wendle
• Emilio Pagan pitched a scoreless 9th for his 19th save of the season
• Final score: Ray 5 Blue Jays 0

My Take:

• Clay Buchholz battled through 6 innings, allowing 4 runs (1 unearned due to a passed ball by Danny Jansen) on 7 hits while striking out 3. He's nearly back up to the pitch count you want to see in a starter after throwing 90 pitches today. It's important that he eat up as many innings as possible the next month because the relievers are surely getting tired
• Eric Sogard has had a rough go recently, taking a fastball off the head Tuesday and leaving the to start the 4th inning after fouling a ball off his foot in the 2nd inning. Expect the Rays to be cautious with him.
• Charlie Montoyo was ejected in the 4th for arguing balls and strikes. It was his 2nd ejection of the season
• The offence consisted of a 2-out triple in the 1st by Randal Grichuk, followed by 22 straight outs before Danny Jansen drew a 4-pitch walk leading off the 9th inning. That was followed by an Athony Alford single and a Bo Bichette walk. The Rays then brought in closer Emilio Pagan, who retired the next three batters.
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 5-game losing streak. Lefty Anthony Kay will start for the Blue Jays and make his MLB debut. The Rays will counter with righty Charlie Morton