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| Spencer Horwitz scored a run and drove in a run in a 3-2 loss to the Rays |
After a 1-0 loss yesterday after a poor showing from the offense which was unable to back up another strong start from ace Jose Beerrios, the Blue Jays were looking to even the series and avoid their 29th series loss of the season, as well as their first losing season since 2019.. Yariel Rodriguez got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. George Springer got the half day off as DH with Addison Barger in RF. Joey Loperfido was in CF and Nathan Lukes was in LF. Vlad was at the hot corner, Davis Schneider was at 2B and Spencer Horwitz was at 1B. Could the Blue Jays even the series and avoid their 29th series loss and first losing season since 2019? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Rays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Ben Rotvedt singled scoring Jonathan Aranda.
- The Rays added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 3rd as Aranda hammered a 2-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Yandy Diaz
- The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 5th as Spencer Horwirz singled scoring Nathan Lukes
- Yariel Rodriguez pitching line: 4IP 4H 3R (all earned) 3BB 3K 81 pitches (49 for strikes)
- Taj Bradley pitching line: 5IP 6H 1R (earned) 2BB 4K 103 pitches (67 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 7th as Alejandro Kirjk tripled home Horwitz
- Drew Rasmussen threw 2 perfect innings for his 1st save of the season.-
- Final score: Rays 3 Blue Jays 2
My Take:
- Yariel Rodriguez battled through 4 innings, giving up 3 runs on 4 hits while walking 3 and striking out 3. Certainly not the most efficient game, basically needing 20 pitches to get through an inning. Rodriguez should have a shot at a role in the rotation or even as a long man. The Blue Jays should try to sign a starter to give the team a bit more depth in case of injuries.
- Speaking of injuries, there has to be a major review on pitching development and management of workload. Eight pitchers in the Blue Jays system had procedures on their elbows, seven of them Tommy John surgeries. That is a lot of pitchers undergoing the same procedure that typically takes a year or more to be back to pitching in games. It's been interesting to see how the Blue Jays have been pulling Rodriguez after 3-5 innings in recent starts. Yet, Bowden Francis was allowed to throw well over 100 pitches in 2 consecutive starts with a no-hitter through 8 innings. Surely they could have used a reliever for one inning. As it is the Blue Jays prospect pool is already thin, the team can ill-afford to see any more pitchers done for a season due to injury.
- The bullpen threw 4 shutout innings, allowing 3 hits, a walk and striking out 3. Genesis Cabrera was the only reliever to retire every batter he faced.
- Offensively, Spencer Horwitz drove in a run and scored a run. Alejandro Kirk drove in Horwtz on his first career triple.
- Every Blue Jays starter except George Springer and Davis Schneider had at least one hit,
- The Blue Jays were 1-9 with runners in scoring position
- With the loss, the Blue Jays are now guaranteed to have a losing record for the 1st time since 2019 when they finished an abysmal 67-95. That was the same season that saw the MLB debuts of Vlad, Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 2-game skid and avoid being swept for the 4th time this season. Righty Shane Baz will start for the Rays. It will be bullpen day for the Blue Jays with lefty Ryan Yarbrough getting the bulk of the innings and potentially starting.
