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| Daniel Vogelbach was 3-4 with 3 runs scored, including his first HR in a Blue Jays uniform, in a 5-2 win over the Rays |
After another late-game loss, the Blue Jays were looking to snap the 3-game skid and avoid being swept for the first time this season. Alek Manoah got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Daniel Vogelbach served as DH and IKF got the start at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays snap the 3-game skid and avoid being swept for the 1st time this season?
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Daniel Vogelbach hammered a solo bomb to right-center
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 4th as George Springer doubled scoring Vogelbach
- A batter later, Springer scored on a fielding error by Rays 3B Isaac Paredes on a ball hit by Isiah Kiner-Falefa
- The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 6th as Alejandro Kirk doubled scoring Vogelbach and Springer
- Aaron Civale pitching line: 5.1IP 6H 5R (4 earned) 4BB 3K 96 pitches (54 for strikes)
- Alek Manoah pitching line: 7IP 1H 0R 1BB 7K 103 pitches (69 for strikes)
- The Rays got a pair back in the bottom of the 9th as Paredes whacked a 2-run blast to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen; also scoring Jonathan Aranda
- Jordan Romano got the last out for his 7th save of the season
- Final score: Blue Jays 5 Rays 2
My Take:
- Alek Manoah had his best start since 2021, firing 7 shutout innings, allowing a hit, a walk and he hit a pair of batters while striking out 7. No more than one base runner reached base in any of the 7 innings and just one reached 2nd base. That's the kind of pitching the Blue Jays were looking for from Manoah, who looked like a star in the making his first season and a half in the bigs before faltering badly in 2023 and his first start of 2024. If he keeps pitching like this, he may not have to worry about having to fight for a spot in the roation next year.
- The bullpen, namely Zack Pop, gave up 2 runs on 3 hits while walking none and striking out 3 over the last 2 innings. It feels like no lead is completely safe with the bullpen not as effective as last year. Trevor Richards and Jordan Romano retired every batter they faced
- There were unlikely heroes offensively today. Daniel Vogelbach (3-4, 3 runs scored and his first HR in a Blue Jays uniform), George Springer (1-2, 2 runs scored, 1RBI), Alejandro Kirk (2-run double) did the damage offensively today
- Vlad's bat remains hot. He now has hits in 16 of his last 18 games and 8 of those were multi-hit games. He may be a candidate to be the all-star rep for the Blue Jays
- Up next, the Blue Jays look to keep it going and extend the win streak to 2 games as they start a three game series against the White Sox. The Blue Jays swept the season series again the White Sox last year, outscoring the White Sox 35-11. Ace Jose Berrios starts against White Sox righty Erick Fedde
