Game #82 The Undead (47-36) vs. Blue Jorges (43-38)

 

Game #81 Tampa Bay Rays (47-36) @ Toronto Blue Jays (43-38) - game recap

 

Santiago Espinal hit his first career HR in a 6-3 win over the Rays

After trouncing the Rays last night on the back of Alek Manoah's best start in the majors and a team effort offensively, the Blue Jays were looking to make it two in a row vs. the AL-East leading Rays. Danny Jansen was activated from the 10-day IL and Riley Adams was sent back to AAA. Ross Stripling got the start. George Springer was back in CF after a couple of days as DH. Bo Bichette got the half day off as DH with Cavan Biggio at 2B. Could the Blue Jays make it two in a row vs. the Rays? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as George Springer bashed a solo blast  to left-center 
• The Rays tied the game in the top of the 5th as Manuel Margot smacked a solo blast just over the fence in left-center 
• Ross Stripling pitching line: 5.2IP 2H 1R (earned) 3BB 5K 97 pitches (56 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning on a foelder's choice hit by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and throwing error by Joey Wendle that scored Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• A batter later, Cavan Biggio singled scoring Spiringer and Teoscar Hernandez
• A batter after that, Santiago Espinal hammered a 2-run bomb to left-center; also scoring Biggio
• Shane McClanahan pitching line: 5.1IP 3H 3R (2 earned) 2BB 5K 71 pitches (44 for strikes)
• The Rays got a pair back in the top of the 9th as Kevin Kiermaier singled scoring Randy Arozarena and Yandy Diaz
• Final score: Blue Jays 6 Rays 3

My Take:

• Ross Stripling battled his way through 5.2 innings, giving up a run on 2 hits while walking 3 and striking out 5. It was not his most efficient outing, taking 97 pitches to get 17 outs. 
• Jordan Romano had a rocky outing in the 9th, walking the first 2 he faced, but limiting the damage to a 2-run single.
• Adam Cimber is looking like a diamond in the rough, He pitched an inning today and gave up just a 2-out double
• Tim Mayza also looked sharp striking out 3 in 1.1 innings
• It will be interesting to see how much leash Reese McGuire is given. After a brutal 2020 campaign where he had just 3 hits in 41AB, McGuire has taken the bull by the horns after both Danny Jansen and Alejandro Kirk went down with injuries and came into this one batting .302. McGuire was 0-3 with a strikeout today.
• The Blue Jays won this one on a big 5-run 6th inning highlighted by Santiago Espinal's first career HR
• The Blue Jays were 3-5 wiith runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays go for the series sweep as they wrap up the home portion of the schedule prior to the all-star break. Robbie Ray gets the start against an announced Rays starter.

Game #81 The Undead (47-35) vs. Blue Jorges (42-38)

 

Game #80 Tampa Bay Rays (47-35) @ Toronto Blue Jays (42-38) - game recap

 

Alek Manoah threw seven shutout innings in an 11-1 rout over the Rays 

After dropping two of three to the Mariners, the Blue Jays opened a weekend set against the Rays, who have won 5 of the first 7 games of the season series and outscored the Blue Jays 29-20 thus far. Tyler Chatwood was placed on the 10-day IL with a strained neck. Patrick Murphy was optioned to AAA. Righty Anthony Castro and lefty Nick Allgeyer were recalled from AAA. Alek Manoah got the start. Same lineup as yesterday except Canavan Biggio was at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays snap the 2-game skid? Here is tonight's game recap

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as George Springer hammered a 2-run bomb to dead center also scoring Bo Bichette 
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 2nd as Lourdes Gurriel Jr. doubled scoring Cavan Biggio
• A batter later, Reese McGuire singled home Randal Grichuk 
• A batter after that, Gurriel Jr. scored on a fielder's choice hit by Marcus Semien
• Two batters later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled scoring Semien
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 6th on a wild pitch by Jeffrey Springs that scored Teoscar Hernandez
• Luis Patino pitching line: 5.1IP 7H 7R (5 earned) 1BB 5K 94 pitches (64 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 7th as Semien whacked a solo blast to left
• Two batters later, Guerrero Jr. hammered a 2-run bomb to right; also scoring Bichette 
• Alek Manoah pitching line: 7IP 3H 0R 1BB 10K 109 pitches (71 for strikes)
• The Rays got one back in the top of the 8th as Brandon Lowe doubled scoring Francisco Meija
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom half of the inning as Santiago Espinal singled scoring Semien
• Final score: Blue Jays 11 Rays 1

My Take:

• Alek Manoah had the best start of his career with seven shutout innings. He had a no-hitter going through 5 innings until Francisco Meija got a 1-out double off him in the 6th. Mahoah retired 12 in a row and struck out 7 in a row as well. If he keeps pitching like he has his last two starts, he may see some votes for rookie of the year
• The bullpen gave up a run on two hits. Nick Allgeyer made his MLB debut in the 9th and retired the side in order
• Offensively, the Blue Jays jumped all over Rays starter Luis Patino, scoring 6 runs on 4 hits, a walk and a couple of fielder's choices over the first 2 innings
• Every Blue Jays starter except Randal Grichuk had at least 1 hit 
• The Blue Jays were 4-9 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays go for 2 wins in a row. Ross Stripling gets the start against Rays lefty Shane McIanahan

Game #80 The Undead (47-34) vs. Blue Jorges (41-38)