After a lacklustre effort all-around the Blue Jays were looking to get back on track and even the final series before the all-star break. Ross Stripling got the start with Danny Jansen behind the plate. Espinal Santiago was at the hot corner. George Springer got the half day off as the DH with Randal Grichuk in CF, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. in LF and Teoscar Hernandez in RF. Could the Blue Jays set up a rubber match Sunday? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Rays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Brandon Lowe led off with a solo blast to right-center
- The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 2nd as Marcus Semien smashed a 2-run bomb to left-center; also scoring Santiago Espinal
- The Rays tied the games in the bottom half of the inning as Mike Zunino smashed a solo blast to left
- Two batters later, Lowe hammered a 2-run bomb to right; also scoring Kevin Kiermaier
- Ross Stripling pitching line: 3.1IP 4H 4R (all earned) 2BB 5K 73 pitches (44 for strikes)
- Ryan Yarborough pitching line: 5IP 5H 2R (both earned) 2BB 4K 104 pitches (66 for strikes)
- The Rays added a run in the bottom of the 8th as Randy Arozarena singled home Austin Meadows
- Diego Castillo pitched a scoreless 9th for his 13th save of the season
- Final score: Rays 5 Blue Jays 2
My Take:
- It was a rough one for Ross Stripling, who was hurt by the long ball today, giving up three balls that left the yard for four runs. Honestly, he was pitching in and out of trouble all day. Just one of those days where not everything was working for him.
- The bullpen had mixed results today. Anthony Kay walked a couple of batters but escaped the jam. Trevor Richards was excellent striking out 4 in 1.2 innings. Tim Mayza struck out one, but the singled he allowed in the 8th came around to score. Jordan Romano was a questionable choice with one game left to play tomorrow and he threw 20 pitches. Romano gave up a couple of hits and walked a batter before escaping the jam, helped by a pair of strikeouts.
- Offensively, it was more of the same as last night. Marcus Semien briefly gave the Blue Jays the lead, but the Rays countered with three in the bottom half of the inning and the Blue Jays couldn't scrape another run across the board. The Blue Jays were an abysmal 1-8 with runners in scoring position
- Vladimir Guerrero had has hitting streak snapped but kept the on base streak alive with a walk
- Danny Jansen struck out in both AB's and Reese McGuire doubled. It will be interesting to see if the Blue Jays opt to recall Alejandro Kirk after the all-star break or if a catcher is moved at the trade deadline.
- Up next, the Blue Jays wrap up the pre-all-star break schedule. It will be a battle of the lefties with Robbie Ray pitching against Rays lefty Rich Hill
