Sunday, July 26, 2020

Game #3 Toronto Blue Jays (1-2) @ Tampa Bay Rays (2-1) - game recap

Randal Grichuk was 2-2 with a walk and run scored before leaving the game in the bottom of the 6th in a losing effort as the Rays came from behind to win 6-5 in 10 innings

After suffering their first loss of their season when Sam Gaviglio coughed up three runs in the 8th, the Blue Jays were back at it, trying to win their first series in Tampa Bay since August 5-7, 2019. Thomas Hatch got the start and made his big league debut. Vlad was back at first base after a half night off DH'ing last night. Brandon Drury saw his first action of 2020, playing the hot corner today. Rowdy Tellez served as DH and Danny Jansen was back behind the plate after a night off yesterday. Could the Blue Jays take the rubber match and win their first series of the season? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

  • Blake Snell pitching line: 2IP 3H 0R 2BB 5K 46 pitches (26 for strikes)
  • Thomas Hacker pitching line: 2.1IP 0H 0R 2BB 3K 47 pitches (26 for strikes)
  • The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 6th as Teoscar Hernandez doubled scoring Randal Grichuk
  • A batter later, Danny Jansen singled home Hernandez
  • Three batters later, Bo Bichette singled home Jansen and Brandon Drury 
  • The Rays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as LH batter Ji-Man Choi turned around and cranked a solo blast to dead center as a RH batter
  • The Rays got one back in the bottom of the 7th as the Jays conceded a run on a ground out by Yoshi Tsutsugo. Manuel Margot scored on the play
  • The Rays got one back on a bases loaded walk by Choi that forced in Joey Wendle
  • A batter later, the game was tied on a great hustle by Brandon Lowe who got an infield single scoring Willy Adames
  • The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 10th on a sac fly by Lourdes Gurriel jr. that plated pinch runner Santiago Espinal
  • The Rays won it in the bottom half of the inning as Kevin Kiermaier tripled scoring Kevan Smith and Jose Martinez
  • Final score: Rays 6 Jays 5
My Take:
  • It was a costly loss for the Blue Jays as Randal Grichuk (SI joint irritation) and Ken Giles (right elbow soreness) were both forced to leave the game. Giles might be the bigger concern because the Blue Jays will have to find a pitcher that can close out a game in the event he has a lengthy absence
  • Thomas Hatch had a solid debut not allowing any hits or runs while walking 2 and striking out 3 over 2.1 innings
  • Montoyo was complaining about lack of available relievers, so he uses 7 relievers today (one was forced by the Giles injury)
  • A positive from today: the bats are looking good early with every starter getting on base at least once. Cavan Biggio extended his hitting streak to three games.
  • Up next, the Blue Jays head to Washington to take on the World Series champs.Trent Thornton starts against Nats righty Anibal Sanchez.