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| Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drove in a pair of runs in a 7-3 loss to the Rays |
First off, deepest condolences to Blue Jays 1st base coach Mark Budzinski, who's eldest daughter passed away suddenly yesterday. After dropping both ends of the double header yesterday, the Blue Jays were looking to end their mini 2 game skid, notch their 14th series win of the season and end the home stand on a winning note. Ross Stripling got the start with Gabriel Moreno behind the plate. George Springer was back in the lineup as DH after getting the second game of the double header completely off. Bo Bichette was back in the field after DH'ing the second game of the double header. Raimel Tapia was in CF and Cavan Biggio got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays notch their 14th series win of the season? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Rays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Harold Ramirez scored on a throwing error by Matt Chapman on a ball hit by Isaac Paredes
- The Blue Jays tied the game in the bottom of the 3rd as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled home George Springer `
- The Rays retook the lead in the top of the 5th as Yandy Diaz singled scoring Taylor Walls
- Two batters later, Ramirez whacked a 2-run blast; also scoring Wander Franco
- A batter later, Ji-Man Choi smacked a solo blast to right
- Two batters later, Randy Arozarena hammered a 2-run bomb to center; also scoring Paredes
- Ross Stripling pitching line: 4.2IP 7H 4R (3 earned) 1BB 3K 86 pitches (54 for strikes)
- Shane Baz pitching line: 6IP 7H 1R (earned) 2BB 7K 94 pitches (61 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 8th as Lourdes Gurriel Jr. scored on a sac fly by Matt Chapman
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 9th as Guerrero Jr. doubled home Cavan Biggio
- Jason Adams got the final 2 outs for his 3rd save of the season
- Final score: Rays 7 Blue Jays 3
My Take:
- Ross Stripling was solid through the first four innings, allowing one run on a pair of hits and a throwing error. He then retired 8 straight. Stripling ran into trouble in the 5th inning, allowing three runs on four hits. Unfortunately, the bad Trent Thornton was in the game today. The inconsistent righty allowed 2 home runs for three more runs.
- Over the final 4 innings, Trevor Richards, Matt Gage and David Phelps held the Rays to 4 hits and a walk over the final 4 innings while striking out 4
- The Blue Jays were brutal with runners in scoring position, going an ugly 2-14.
- Every Blue Jays starter except Matt Chapman reached base at least once. Chapman did have a productive out with a sac fly in the 8th
- Up next, the Blue Jays head west to start a West Coast swing with a series starting tomorrow night in Oakland. Alek Manoah starts against A's lefty Cole Irvin
