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| Randal Grichuk bashed a 3-run hr in a 6-4 victory over the Rays |
The Blue Jays were looking to avoid dropping below .500 and losing 3 straight games. After a rough day yesterday with news that Matt Shoemaker was going on the IL with a lat strain (he's considered week-to-week and Trent Thornton injured his pitching shoulder, the Blue Jays were looking for Tanner Roark to pitch deep into the game today. The Blue Jays DFA'd Thomas Pannone and added lefty Travis Bergen. They also acquired Dan Volelbach, who was just recently DFA'd by the Mariners for cash considerations. Interesting move since 1B/DH are already platooned by Rowdy Tellez and Vlad. Speaking of Vlad, he was back in the field after 2 days as DH, Travis Shaw got the start at 1B, Joe Panik was at the hot corner and Santiago Espinal was at SS. Could the Blue Jays snap the 2-game losing streak? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Rays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Yoshi Tsutsugo hammered a solo bomb off the right foul pole
- The Blue Jays executed a brilliant relay to gun down Joey Wendle at the plate to keep the score 1-0 for the Rays
- The Blue Jays tied it in the top of the 2nd as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled scoring Cavan Biggio
- The Rays took the lead in the bottom of the 4th as Willy Adames lined a two-run blast to left; also scoring Tsutsugo
- The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 6th as Lourdes Gurriel Jr. lined a solo blast to left-center
- Blake Snell pitching line: 5.2IP 4H 2R (both earned) 1BB 9K 101 pitches (66 for strikes)
- Tanner Roark pitching line: 5IP 6H 3R (all earned) 3BB 2K 96 pitches (56 for strikes)
- The Blues Jays took the lead in the top of the 7th as Randal Grichuk smashed a 3-run blast to left; also scoring Santiago Espinal and Biggio
- Kevin Kiermaier left the game prior to the top half of the 8th inning after getting hit by a pitch in the bottom of the 6th
- The Rays got one back in the bottom of the 8th on a fielder's choice hit by Joey Wendle that scored Ji-Man Choi. Espinal was charged with a throwing error on the play
- The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 9th as Biggio doubled home Espinal
- Jordan Romano pitched a scoreless 9th for his 2nd save of the season
- Final score: Blue Jays 6 Rays 4
My Take:
- Tanner Roark pitched five solid innings (although I'm sure the Blue Jays would have hoped he could have been a bit more efficient and gone an extra inning or two with the rotation in shambles) giving up 3 runs on 6 hits while walking 3 and striking out 2. After Chase Anderson pitches tomorrow, the injured Nate Pearson's spot comes up on Wednesday. Anthony Kay, Thomas Hatch or Jacob Waguespack will likely get the start.
- There were pretty defensive plays from both sides. The Rays made fine plays on all three outs in the 2nd inning and Cavan Biggio robbed Joey Wendle of a base hit with a diving stop in the 4th
- Offensively, the long ball carried the day for the Blue Jays, capped off by a 3-run shot off the hot bat of Randal Grichuk.
- Up next, the Blue Jays fly home to begin a three-game set starting tomorrow against the AL East basement dwellers, the Boston Red Sox, who have already begun the process of moving veteran players having completed a trade on the weekend sending Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree to the Philles. Chase Anderson gets the start for the Blue Jays, while The Red Sox will counter with lefty Kyle Hart
