After a solid win on the back of an early 4-0 lead in the 1st inning and the pitching/defense doing just enough to hold that lead, the Blue Jays were looking for the series win over the Rays with a victory today. The last time the Blue Jays won a series in Tampa Bay was August 5-7, 2019. George Springer looks like he might make his Blue Jays debut either this weekend or for sure Tuesday at home vs. Washington. He played in a game last night and reported no issues physically. Tonight, Robbie Ray got the start and was looking to rebound after giving up a career-high six walks in his last start. Alejandro Kirk, his personal catcher, got the start behind the plate. Jordan Romano returned from the 10-day IL. Righty Ty Tice was recalled from the alternate training site. Lefty Travis Bergen and OF Josh Palacios were optioned to the alternate training site. Cavan Biggio was at the hot corner today. Jonathan Davis got the start in CF and Randal Grichuk was in RF. Vlad was in the field and Rowdy Tellez served as the DH today. Could the Blue Jays make it two wins in a row? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 1st as Randal Grichuk hammered a three-run bomb to left; also scoring Cavan Biggio and Rowdy Tellez
- Brent Honeywell Jr. pitching line: 1IP 3H 3R (all earned) 1BB 2K 30 pitches (19 for strikes)
- The Rays got one back in the bottom of the 2nd as Mike Zunino lined a screamer down the left field line
- The Rays tied things up in the bottom of the 6th as Mike Brosseau hammered a 2-run bomb down the left field line also scoring Randy Arozarena
- Robbie Ray pitching line: 6IP 6H 3R (all earned) 0BB 9K 94 pitches (67 for strikes)
- The Rays scored a run in the bottom of the 8th on a fielding error by Biggio that scored Brandon Lowe. Brosseau was thrown out trying to score on the play. The ball was hit by Miguel Margot
- A batter later, Margot scored on a ground out by Kevin Kiermaier
- Andrew Kittredge pitched a scoreless 9th for his 1st save of the season
- Final score: Rays 5 Blue Jays 3
My Take:
- Robbie Ray had a much better outing today. He gave up 3 runs on 6 hits while walking none and striking out 9 over 6 innings. The big numbers for me were the walks and strikeouts. Last time out Ray walked 6 in the first three innings. Today, he didn't walk anybody and struck out 9 batters. Ray made 2 mistake pitches that went over the fence, so he got a no decision today
- Jordan Romano made his return from a neuritis issue in his pitching elbow. He walked the first 2 batters he faced and a fielding error by Biggio cost him an unearned run. The inherited runner Ryan Borucki faced scored on a groundout. He only threw 4 strikes in 13 pitches. More concerning is his velocity was down significantly
- The Blue Jays again only managed to score in one inning. After scoring 3 runs on three hits and a walk in the first inning, the Blue Jays managed just 8 base runners more in the final 8 innings. They were 2-10 with runners in scoring position on the night.
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had his season-long on-base streak come to an end. He was 0-5 with a strikeout
- Joe Panik showed no effort running to 1st base in the 9th
- Up next, the Blue Jays wrap up the series with the Rays and the road trip. Hyun-Jin Ryu gets the start for the Blue Jays. The Rays have not named a starting pitcher for tomorrow
