Game #154 Toronto Blue Jays (76-81) @ Tampa Bay Rays (76-78) - game recap

 

Jose Berrios threw 6 strong innings in a 1-0 shutout loss to the Rays

After escaping Texas yesterday with a win thanks to 5 no-hit innings from Kevin Gausman and a big 3-run scoring effort from Vlad, the Blue Jays opened their final road series of the season, right back where the season started in Tampa Bay. The Rays won 6 of the 1st ten games in the season series, outscoring the Blue Jays 48-40. Jose Berrios got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. George Springer was back in the lineup and in RF after the complete day off yesterday. Vlad was back in the field after the half day off as DH yesterday (Spencer Horwitz served as DH today). Jonatan Clase was in CF. Luis De Los Santos got the start at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays make it 2 straight wins? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Rays opened the scoring in the top of the 5th as Jonathan Aranda drilled a solo jack to right-center
• Tyler Anderson pitching line: 4.1IP 2H 0R 1BB 6K 65 pitches (42 for strikes)
• Jose Berrios pitching line: 6IP 6H 1R (earned) 1BB 6K 97 pitches (73 for strikes)
• Hunter Bigge threw a perfect 9th for his 1st save of the season
• Final score: Rays 1 Blue Jays 0

My Take:

• Jose Berrios threw 6 strong innings, giving up a run on 6 hits while walking 1 and striking out 6. His biggest out streak was 5 and he was working his way in and out of jams all night. Giving up home runs has been a problem for Berrios this season and the one he coughed up tonight was the difference in thr game
• The bullpen threw two perfect innings striking out 3. Not sure if either Ryan Burr or Zack Pop will be part of the 2025 bullpen.
• Offensively, sloppy game with poor baserunners and bad AB's when they got their chances
• One more loss guarantees the 1st losing streak since 2019
• The Blue Jays were 0-7 with runners in scorinh position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to even the series. Yariel Rodriguez starts against Rays righty Taj Bradley