Game #87 Toronto Blue Jays (45-42) @ Tampa Bay Rays (53-37) - game recap

 

Robbie Ray threw 7 shutout innings in a 3-1 victory over the Rays

After dropping the first two games of the last series before the all-star break, the Blue Jays were looking to end the first half (unofficial) with a win. Robbie Ray got the start. Vlad got the half day off, serving as DH with Cavan Biggio at 1B. Randal Grichuk was given the full day off with George Springer back in CF, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. in LF and Teoscar Hernandez in RF. Could the Blue Jays end the first half of the season with a win? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 3rd as Danny Jansen whacked a solo blast to left
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 4th as Santiago Espinal singled home Teoscar Hernandez
• A batter later, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. scored on a sac fly by Cavan Biggio
• Rich Hill pitching line: 5IP 4H 3R (all earned) 3BB 2K 68 pitches (41 for strikes)
• Robboe Ray pitching line: 7IP 1H 0R 1BB 11K 103 pitches (71 for strikes)
• The Rays broke the shutout bid in the 9th as Brandon Lowe hammered a solo bomb to dead center
• Jordan Roman pitched the 9th for his 7th save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 3 Rays 1

My Take:

• Robbie Ray was excellent in this one, taking a no-hit bid into the 7th inning. His final line: 7 shutout innings, 1 hit , 1 walk, 11 strikeouts. He's the most improved pitcher.
• Unfortunate that Jordan Romano gave up a solo blast to ruin the shutout bid.
• It was unlikely heroes that provided the offense today. Danny Jansen hit a solo shot, Santiago Espinal singled home another run and a third run crossed the plate on a sac fly by Cavan Biggio. Santiago was excellent, getting three hits
• Up next, the all-star break. Vlad, Bo, Marcus Semien and Teoscar Hernandez head to Coors Field in Denver to play in the all-star game. The game was initially supposed to be in Atlanta but it was moved after the state of Georgia passed a controversial voting rights law. The Blue Jays open the second half Friday at home vs. the Rangers, who took 2/3 at Arlington. Both teams scored 11 runs in that series. Righty Jordan Lyles will start for Texas and the Blue Jays will likely counter with ace Hyun-Jin Ryu.