Blue Jays 3 Rays 4
The Jays were leading for most of the game, as if that’s any solace.
Tyler Rogers has been terrific for us, but a ground ball pitcher can have bad luck on occasion. His eighth went ground out, double (66 mph, not hit hard), Yandy Diaz ground ball single (harder hit, 88.5 mph, off Ernie Clements glove), Jake Fraley single (84.3 mph line drive ish) drove in the tying run and Ben Williamson single (ground ball, but hit hard, 103 mph) driving in the winning run.
That was it for Rogers,
Louis Varland came in and closed the barn door now that the horse was long gone.
And the Jays went down without a hit in the top of ninth. Andrés Giménez ground out, Myles Straw, pinch hitting for Brandon Valenzuela (a lateral move at best) popped out and George Springer lined out.
We had nine hits, including another Kazuma Okamoto homer, (our only extra base hit) his 10th of the season. He and Giménez had two hits each.
We scored:
- One in the first: Okamoto’s homer.
- One in the second: One out singles from Daulton Varsho, Clement (bunt single), and Valenzuela scored the run. After that Brandon Yohendrick Piñangoput down a squeeze bunt, it wasn’t good, and Clement was out at the plate. Then Springer ground out to end the inning. There was some discussion of whether Valenzuela decided to bunt on his own. If he bunted on his own. If he did, he should be released. Players should never decide to squeeze on their own (but I’m pretty sure it was called from the dugout (dumb idea, John).
- One in the fifth: Giménez singled and stole second. Valenzuela walked. Springer hit into a double play, moving Giménez to third. Springer had a rough day. Yohendrick Piñango singled bringing in the run.
Valenzuela had a rough day, as well as the 0 for and the bunt, he blew two challenges, early in the game, so we couldn’t challenge anymore. When you waste the two challenges in the third inning (at times that really wouldn’t have changed the game), you’ve really messed up. I’d imagine he’ll be talked too, but Heineman was pulled from a game for a mistake that wasn’t as bad as that.
Kevin Gausman wasn’t his sharpest, but he allowed just one run in six innings. He gave up six hits, one walk with three walks.
Jeff Hoffman pitched a nice seventh. And we talked about the eighth earlier.
Jays of the Day: Gausman (.14 WPA), Hoffman (.11), Okamoto (.10) and Valenzuela (.09).
The Other Award: Rogers (-.58) and Springer (-.21). And I’m giving one to Valenzuela for the challenges and the bunt (-.04, but the bunt and the challenges…..).
Tomorrow, being a travel day, is an early game. A 1:00 pm start time. I’m sure the Jays can’t wait to get out of there. I can’t wait until they do as well. But please win.
I really don’t want to watch tomorrow.
