The Rays might cruise to an American League East title if they were to play all of their remaining games north of the border. Wednesday’s 4-2 victory was the team’s third straight in Toronto, and the team is now 5-1 on the season at Rogers Centre.
Griffin Jax took the bump for the Rays, looking to find some consistency in the second half. Toronto went with breaking ball enthusiast Braydon Fisher an opener, to attack the top of the Rays lineup before turning it over to Spencer Miles.
The Blue Jays got on the board first, with former Rays prospect Nathan Lukes scoring on a groundout from George Springer.
The Rays were aggressive on the base paths in the second, trying to tie the game. Speedy outfielders Cedric Mullins and Chandler Simpson both reached via the walk, and both attempted to steal second. Mullins was thrown out, but Simpson picked up his team-high 25th stolen base, moving him into scoring position. An RBI-single from Victor Mesa Jr. brought Simpson home to make it 1-1.
Mesa Jr. continues to be one of the team’s most productive hitters, finishing the game 2-3 and 2 RBI. Simpson reached twice and ended up with two stolen bases on the night.
Jax worked six strong innings, allowing one run on two hits, striking out five. He leaned heavily on his changeup, using it to attack both righties and lefties. His second strikeout of right-handed hitter Ernie Clement included two whiffs on the pitch, with the putaway falling off a table.
Jax finished the night having thrown 33% changeups, generating 9 whiffs on 27 pitches.
The Rays turned to Cam Booser and Kevin Kelly to get the team to the 9th, where they’d turn the ball over to All-Star closer Bryan Baker. Baker pitched a clean ninth for his 26th save of the season.
After having been swept in a four-game series over the weekend, the Rays now have the chance to do the same to the Blue Jays tomorrow afternoon. First pitch scheduled for 3:07 pm.
Before tonight’s game, the Rays announced they had officially signed Grady Emerson, the high school shortstop they took with the second overall pick earlier this month.
