After a solid win off a 4-run 8th inning rally yesterday, the Blue Jays were looking to make it two straight wins and their first series win since April 29-May 1 against Houston. George Springer returned to the lineup as DH after missing yesterday's game with an ankle injury.Alek Manoah got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Could the Blue Jays mke it two in a row and their first series win since late-April/early May? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- Jeffrey Springs pitching line: 4.2IP 4H 0R 0BB 2K 76 pitches (52 for strikes)
- The Rays took the lead in the bottom of the 6th on a fielder's choice hit by Harold Ramirez that scored Brandon Lowe
- A batter later, Wander Franco scored on a wild pitch by Alek Manoah
- Same batter, Ji-Man Choi singled scoring Ramirez
- Alek Manoah pitching line: 6IP 5H 3R (1 earned) 0BB 4K 82 pitches (57 for strikes)
- Andrew Kittredge pitched a scoreless 9th for his 5th save of the season
- Final score: Rays 3 Blue Jays 0
My Take:
- Alek Manoah threw 6 solid innings,giving up three runs (1 earned) i=on 5 hits while walking none and striking out 4. It was just the one inning (the 6th and final inning for Manoah) where the Rays did their damage. First Harold Ramirez beat out a fielder's choice. Then Manoah threw a wild pitch for another run and Ji-Man Choi knocked in a third run a pitch later. MManoah retired 7 in a row at one point.
- The bullpen was excellent, allowing just a hit while striking out 4 over the final 3 innings
- Offensively, the bats were dormant. The Blue Jays were 0-3 with runners in scoring position. Every Blue Jays starter except Bo Bichette, George Springer and Teoscar Hernandez reached base once
- Up next, the Blue Jays return home after a disastrous road trip that saw them win twice in 9 games. They've won just three times in 12 games. The Blue Jays open the home stand against the Mariners. Robbie Ray returns to Toronto after signing with Seattle in the off-season. Ray is not scheduled to pitch against his former team. Yusei Kikuchi starts tomorrow night against Mariners righty Chris Flexen
