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| Vladimir Guerrero Jr. knocked in his 100th run of the season in a losing effort as the Rays came from behind to edge the Blue Jays 4-3 |
After a tough loss thanks to an offense that's consistently been unable to muster adequate offense, the Blue Jays were looking to snap the 2 game skid and avoid being swept for the 4th time this season. It was a bullpen day with Ryan Burr serving as opener with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. George Springer got the complete day off with Nathan Lukes in RF. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Spencer Horwirz at 1B. Jonatan Clase was in CF and Joey Loperfido was in LF. Addison Barger was at the hot corner, Ernie Clement was at SS and Leo Jimenez got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays snap the 2-game skid and and avoid being swept for the 4th time this season? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- Ryan Burr pitching line: 1.1IP 1H 0R 0BB 3K 28 pitches (16 for strikes)
- Thr Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 4th on a sac fly by Leo Jimenez that scored Ernie Clement
- The Rays took the lead in the bottom of the 6th as Jonathan Aranda hammered a 2-run bomb to right-center; also scoring Brandoon Lowe
- Shane Baz pitching line: 6IP 4H 1R (earned) 1BB 6K 83 pitches (54 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays tied the game in the top of the 7th as Clement singled scoring Tyler Heineman
- The Rays retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning on a sac fly by Christopher Morel that scored Jose Siri
- The Rays added a run in the bottom of the 8th as Lowe whacked a solo jack to right-center
- The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 9th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled scoring Alejandro Kirk
- Edwin Uceta got the last 3 outs for his 4th save of the season
- Final score: Rays 4 Blue Jays 3
- Ryan Burr gave the Blue Jays 4 outs, allowing a hit, walking none and striking out 3. The Blue Jays have to get another starter - bullpen days every 5-6 days isn't ideal. At this time, the Blue Jays don't have enough pitchers built up to handle pitching more than 1 or 2 innings
- The bullpen gave up 4 runs on 6 hits while walking 1 and striking out 9 over 7.2 innings. Every reliever gave up at least one hit and had a run charged against them. The two lefties might be on next year's team.
- Offensively, the Blue Jays took the lead on a sac fly and answered runs by the Rays in the 7th and 9th inning. Sadly, the 9th inning rally fell short. Ernie Clement scored a run and drove in a run. Vlad knocked in his 100th run of the season. The team also had a failed suicide squeeze in the 7th with Tyler Heineman a dead duck at home
- The Blue Jays were 3-12 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays return home to wrap up the final week of the season as they open a series against ex-Blue Jay catcher Danny Jansen and the Red Sox. The Red Sox have won 6 of the first 10 meetings in the season series, outscoring the Blue Jays 42-40. Chris Bassitt starts against Red Sox righty Tanner Houck.
