Chris Bassitt threw 6.2 solid innings in a 6-2 comeback win over the Rays |
After dropping the last game of the series yesterday, the Blue Jays began the last road series of the regular season. The Rays have won 4 of the first 7 games of the season series, but the Blue Jays outscored the Rays 42-33. Chris Bassitt got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad was back in the lineup as DH after missing a couple of days with a sore knee. Cavan Biggio started at 1B. Daulton Varsho was in CF and Whit Merrifield was in LF. Santiago Espinal go the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays start the weekend with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Rays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Harold Ramirez singled scoring Randy Arozarena
- The Blue Jays tied the game in the top of the 6th as Bo Bichette singled scoring George Springer
- Three batters later, Bichette was forced in on a bases loaded walk to Alejandro Kirk
- A batter later, Matt Chapman was ht by a pitch with the bases loaded, forcing in Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- A batter after that, Daulton Varsho singled scoring Cavan Biggio
- Tyler Glasnow pitching line: 5.1IP 3H 4R (all earned) 4BB 7K 101 pitches (79 for strikes)
- The Rays got one back in the bottom of the 7th as Curtis Mead whacked a solo blast to left and into the Rays bullpen for his first career HR
- Chris Bassitt pitching line: 6.2IP 6H 2R (both earned) 0BB 8K 88 pitches (61 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 9th as Varsho hammered a solo bomb to right
- Three batters later, Springer doubled home Santiago Espinal
- Jordan Romano got the last 4 outs for his 36th save of the season
- Final score: Blue Jays 6 Rays 2
My Take:
- Chris Bassitt threw 6.2 solid innings, giving up a pair of runs on 6 hits while walking none and striking out 8. After giving up a run on 2 hits in the 1st inning, Bassitt retired 10 in a row. Bassitt should get consideration for a post season start in a deep Blue Jays rotation where any of the five would be a good choice to start a game.
- The bullpen threw 2.1 shutout innings, allowing 2 hits and a walk. Jordan Romano recorded the last 4 outs. The Rays made both Romano and Jordan Hicks work, with both relievers throwing over 20 pitches
- Offensively, the Blue Jays got to Tyler Glasnow in the 6th inning after the Rays ace held the Blue Jays batters to a walk and a single over the first 5 innings. They scored 4 off Glasnow and co. on 3 hits, 3 walks and a hit batter with all runs charged to Glasnow. They also added a pair of insurance runs in the 9th off a solo HR and RBI double
- Every Blue Jays starter reached base at least once and all but Vlad, Alejandro Kirk and Matt Chapman had at least 1 hit
- The Blue Jays were 3-5 with runners in scoring position
- In terms of the wild card race, one of Seattle or Texas will remain a half game back of the Blue Jays for the 2nd WC spot with the other team falling a game back of the last WC spot (Texas was up (Texas had an 8-4 lead on Seattle going into the bottom of the 6th. Houston, who holds a half game lead on the Rangers and Mariners for the AL West division title (they were down 7-2 to KC).
- Up next, the Blue Jays go for 2 straight wins and their 29th series win of the season. Hyun-Jin Ryu starts against Rays righty Zack Littell