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| Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a solo home run in a losing effort as the Blue Jays fell to the Rays 8-3 |
Street a solid win last night thanks to an Alejandro Kirk 3-run HR and some solid pitching, the Blue Jays were looking to make it two straight wins and notch their 5th series win of the season. Kevin Gausman got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. George Springer got the half day off as DH with Anthony Santander in RF. Daulton Varsho got the complete day off with Nathan Lukes in CF. Myles Straw got the start in LF. Could the Blue Jays make it two straight wins and notch their 5th series win of the season? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Rays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Brandon Lowe whacked a 2-run blast to right-center and into the Rays bullpen; also scoring Josh Lowe
- The Rays added a run in the top of the 2nd as Danny Jansen singled scoring Jose Caballero. Taylor Wall was thrown out at home
- The Blue jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Addison Barger belted a solo jack to right-center
- The Blue jays got one back in the bottom of the 3rd as Vladimir Guerrero Jr smacked a solo blast to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen
- The Rays added a run in the top of the 4th as Kameron Misner smacked a solo blast to right-center
- The Rays added a run in the top of the 5th as Josh Lowe hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- The Rays added a run in the top of the 6th as Chandler Simpson singled scoring Caballero
- Kevin Gausman pitching line: 5.2IP 10H 6R (all earned) 0BB 6K 101 pitches (76 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 8th as Nathan Lukes hammered a solo bomb to right-center
- Zack Littell pitching line: 7.1IP 8H 3R (all earned) 1BB 2K 87 pitches (60 for strikes)
- The Rays added a pair of runs in the top of the 9th as Brandon Lowe hammered a 2-run bomb to dead center and into the Rays bullpen; also scoring Josh Lowe
- Final score: Rays 8 Blue Jays 3
My Take:
- Kevin Gausnan was lit up for 6 runs on 10 hits while walking none and striking out 6 over 5.2 innings. The Rays went deep off him 4 times and scored in 5 of 6 innings. Could he have been pulled earlier when it was clear he didn't have it? Perhaps but the bullpen has been so overworked the Blue Jays needed him to get as many outs as he could.
- The bullpen gave up a further 2 runs on 4 hits while walking 1 and striking out 4. Jose Urena was responsible for both runs. Braydon Fisher had the best night of any of the Blue Jays pitchers, throwing 2 perfect innings, striking out 4.
- Offensively, the Blue Jays got solo home runs from Vlad, Nathan Lukes and Addison Barger. Bo Bichette did what a leadoff hitter is supposed to do - get on base (he was 3/4)
- The Blue Jays were 0-4 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays welcome the Tigers to town. The Tigers won the season series last year
- 5-2, outscoring the Blue Jays 39-35. Bowden Francis starts against Tigers righty Jack Flaherty
