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| Davis Schneider whacked a 2-run HR in a losing effort as the Rays hung on to edge the Blue Jays 4-3 |
After an off-day yesterday, the Blue Jays opened a weekend set and home stand against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Blue Jays and Rays split the opening 4 games of the season, with the Blue Jays outscoring the Rays 20-17. Chris Bassitt got the start with Danny Jansen behind the plate. Daulton Varsho was in CF and Davis Schneider was in LF. IKF got 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 top of the 6th as Randy Arozarena scored on a ground out hit by Jonathan Aranda
- Two batters later, Richie Palacios hammered a 2-run bomb to the second deck in right; also scoring Isaac Paredes
- Chris Bassitt pitching line: 5.2IP 5H 3R (all earned) 3BB 5K 103 pitches (65 for strikes)
- The Rays added a run in the top of the 7th as Yandy Diaz singled scoring Ben Rortvedt
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 8th as Davis Schneider drilled a 2-run jack to left-center; also scoring Danny Jansen
- Three batters later, Ernie Clement singled scoring Daulton Varsho
- Tyler Alexander pitching line: 7.1IP 3H 3R (all earned) 0BB 4K 105 pitches (74 for strikes)
- Pete Fairbanks threw a perfect 9th for his 4th save of the season
- Final score: Rays 4 Blue Jays 3
My Take:
- Chris Bassitt battled through 5.1 innings, giving up 3 runs on 5 hits while walking 3 and striking out 5, Bassitt was able to limit the damage to a base runner or two per inning that didn't score until the 6th innings when the Rays broke the game open scoring three runs on two hits, a walk and a throwing error by Vlad. He literally needed to be perfect with Rays starter Tyler Alexander taking a no-hitter into the 8th inning
- The bullpen gave up a costly insurance run in the 7th inning that proved to be the difference in the game. Genesis Cabrera and Nate Pearson both retired every batter they faced
- Realy not much to say about the offense, which did literally nothing in 8 of the 9 innings. It look a bloop hit by Danny Jansen to break up the perfect game and no-hit bid. Davis Schneider quickly ended any chance of a shuout with a no-doubter to left-centered that halved the Rays lead. George Springer killed the rally by hitting into an inning ending double play (AKA MK special)
- Vlad saw his hitting streak come to an end 6 games. He now has hits in 14 of his last 16 games
- Interesting that GM Ross Atkins is holding a media availability tomorrow. Don't expect anyone to get fired just yet. Something does need to happen soon before the Blue Jays fall too far back in the standings
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 2-game skid and even both this weekend series and the season series. Kevin Gausman starts against Rays righty Zach Eflin.
