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| Charles McAdoo drove in a pair of runs in a 7-6 loss to the Rays |
After a huge win over the Rays yesterday thanks to the offense coming to life, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 17th series win of the season. Righty Matt Waldron was DFA'd and lefty Brendan Cellucci was selected to the MLB roster. Max Scherzer got the start with Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate. Alejandro Kirk got the half day off as DH. Charles McAdoo was at the hot corner, Josh Smith was at 2B and Kazuma Okamoto was at 1B. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 17th series win of the season? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Rsys opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Yandy Diaz belted a 2-run to Yandy Diaz to left-center; also scoring Junior Caminero
- The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 4th as Alejandro Kirk whacked a solo blast to left
- The Rays added a pair of runs in the botom half of the inning as Richie Palacios doubled scoring Diaz and Liam Hicks
- A batter later, Cedric Mulins scored on a sac bunt hit by Taylor Walls
- A batter after that, Chandler singled scoring Polacios
- A batter later, Walls scored on a ground ball hit by Caminero
- The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 5th as Charles McAdoo singled scoring Josh Smith
- Two batters later, Brandon Valenzuela scored on a sac fly by Nathan Lukes
- A batter later, Kirk singled scoring McAdoo
- A batter after that, Kazuma Okamoto singled scoring Myles Straw
- Brett Bateman was pinch hit for in the top of the 5th as he left the game after pulling his hamstring running out a ground out in the top of the 3rd.
- Max Scherzer pitching line: 4IP 5H 7R (all earned) 3BB 1K 73 pitches (42 for strikes)
- Drew Rasmussen pitching line: 5IP 7H 5R (all earned) 2BB 5K 86 pitches (61 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 6th as McAdoo singled scoring Smith
- Bryan Baker pitched a scoreless 9th for his 36th save of the season.
- Final score: Rays 7 Blue Jays 6
My Take:-
- Max Scherze battled through 4 innings, giving up 7 runs on 5 hits while walking 3 and striking out 1. He was clearly unhappy with the horrible play by Jesus Sanchez that led to a 5 run inning that ended up being the difference in the game. At the same time, Scherzer needs to be able to limit the damage and he was unable to do that. The Blue Jays could have used another inning or two from the veteran righty.
- The bullpen held the Rays to three hits while walking none and striking out four over the last four innings. Paul Sewald and Mason Fluharty both retired every batter they faced
- The rejuvenated offense tried to rally but fell a run short. Alejandro Kirk (2RBI, including a solo HR), Charles McAdoo (2RBI) and Nathan Lukes and Kazuma Okamoto, who both drove in a run each, led the way
- The Blue Jayd were 1-2 on ABS challenges. The Rays didn't attempt any ABS challenges today.
- The Blue Jays were 3-7 with runners in scoring position
- In terms of the wild card race, the Blue Jays are a game back of the Twins, who won today and a half gamew behind the Rangers, who were shut out by the Nationals for the 3rd WC apot. The Guardians, Royals and Tigers all lost and sit a half game back of the Blue Jays for the 3rd and final WC spot
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to escape Tampa Bay with their 17th series win of the season. Shane Bieber starts against Rays lefty Ian Seymour
