After being swept by the Yankees to extend the losing streak to 4-games and a much-needed off-day the Blue Jays opened a weekend set against the Rays in Tropicana Field AKA the Blue Jays house of horrors. The Rays won last year's season series 11-8 and outscored the Blue Jays 83-76. Kevin Gausman got the start with Zack Collins behind the plate. Alejandro Kirk served as DH. George Springer was back in the field after DH'ing Wednesday. Could the Blue Jays snap the 4-game losing streak? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Rays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd on a fielder's choice hit by Ji-Man Choi that scored Brandon Lowe
- The Rays added a run in the bottom of the 5th as Mike Zunino singled scoring Kevin Kiermaier
- The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 6th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled home Raimel Tapia
- Drew Rasmussen pitching line: 5.2IP 3H 1R (earned) 1BB 1K 78 pitches (51 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays tied the game in the top of the 8th as Tapia singled home Vinny Capra
- The Rays retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Manuel Margot singled scoring Vidal Brujan
- Two batters later, Francisco Meija singled home Taylor Walls
- A batter later, Brandon Lowe tripled home Meija
- Kevin Gausman pitching line: 7IP 5H 4R (3 earned) 1BB 8K 98 pitches (74 for strikes)
- Jason Adam threw a perfect 9th for his 1st save of the season
- Final score: Rays 5 Blue Jays 2
My Take:
- Kevin Gausman threw seven strong innings, giving up 4 runs (3 earned) on 5 hits while walking 1 and striking out 8. Gausman kept his streak alive of not allowing a home run. The walk was just his second walk allowed of the season. He did not allow a hit until there was one out in the 5th inning. He should garner support for pitching in the all-star game.
- The Blue Jays lost George Springer to an ankle injury after the Blue Jays CF landed awkwardly leaping to catch a fly ball. Hopefully he doesn't have to miss too much time - Springer is one of the few players who has been consistently producing at the plate.
- Tim Mayza had a rare rough outing, giving up a pair of runs (one charged to Gausman) on a pair of hits.
- The offense showed signs of life tonight, going 2-5 with runners in scoring position. Tapia, who came in for the injured Springer, had hits in both AB's. The Blue Jays need to start generating runs, even if it means bunting runners into a higher probability base to score on. They also have fast runners and should be stealing bases more often.
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 5-game losing streak. Hyun-Jin Ryu will come off the 10-day IL to make the start. The Rays have not named a starter.
