 |
| Daulton Varsho drove in a pair of runs and scored a run in a losing effort as the Rays came from behind to defeat the Blue Jays 5-4 |
After a heartbreaking loss yesterday after a larte-game rally fell short, the Blue Jays were looking to avoid their 7th series loss of the season and snap the 2-gane skid. Kevin Gausman got the start with Danny Jansen behind the plate. George Springer swapped spots with Davis Schneider, who was at 2B, in the lineup, batting 6th and Schneider batting leadoff. Kevin Kiermaier was in CF and Daulton Varsho was in LF. Cavan Biggio was at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays snap the 2-game skid and avoid their 7th series loss of the season? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:-
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring the bottom of the 4th as George Springer singled scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- The Blue Jas added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 5th as Daulton Varsho doubled scoring Kevin Kiermaier and Davis Schneider.
- A batter later, Guerrero Jr. singled scoring Guerrero Jr.
- The Rays got a pair back in the top of the 6th as Amed Rosario singled scoring Yandy Diaz and Harold Ramirez
- A batter later, Jose Caballero singled home Jonny DeLuca
- Kevin Gausman pitching line: 6IP 8H 3R (all earned) 1BB 6K 102 pitches (72 for strikes)
- Zach Eflin pitching line: 6IP 9H 4R (all earned) 0BB 3K 75 pitches (53 for strikes)
- The Rays took the lead in the top of the 5th as DeLuca whacked a 2-run blast to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen; also scoring Richie Palacios
- Garrett Clevinger pitched a perfect 9th for his 3rd save of the season
- Final score: Rays 5 Blue Jays 4
My Take:
- Kevin Gausman battled through 6 innings, giving up 3 runs on 8 hits while walking 1 and striking out 6. After giing up a leadoff single to start the game, Gausman retired 8 in a row. He also had a huge pickoff at 2nd base in the 5th inning. Gausman has pitched better in recent starts
- The bullpen gave up 2 runs on 4 hits while walking 3 and striking out 4 over the last 3 innings. None of the relievers retired every batter they faced. Nate Pearson gave up a 2-run HR that turned out to be the difference in the game.
- The offense still can't muster a run when it matters. After the Rays took the lead, the Blue Jays got the first two batters on base in the 8th on a Vladdy single and Bo Bichette taking one for the team on a hit by pitch only for Justin Turner to strike out and Danny Jansen and George Springer to both ground out. In the 9th, the Blue Jays went down in order
- The top three hitters in the lineup were a combined 6-13 with 3 RBI and 3 runs scored. The rest of the lineup went 4-22 with a run scored and an RBI.
- The Blue Jays were 3-12 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 3-game skid and avoid being swept for the 1st time. Alek Manoah starts against Rays righty Aaron Civale
