Rays 4 Jays 13
Last night I watched the game in the pub. My wife and a friend watched with me, he’s a big Chiefs fan so we were both on edge.
The way the Jays’ game turned out, there is a little nagging thought that I have to watch all the Jays playoff games in the same spot, but I’ve long ago given up on the idea that the universe revolves around me. But then, if we lose the first two games, I’ll go find that same seat.
Anyway, yesterday’s game.
I was worried when the Jays gave up a run in the first
inning and had a runner on first, but Vlad made a terrific play on a ground ball hit to first, stepping on the bag and throwing to second. I wonder if Vlad leads the league in 3-6 double plays.
But, then in the bottom of the first, we scored five. George Springer walked (on eight pitches) and Davis Schneider (on six pitches). Then Vlad lined one to right, driving in Springer. It wasn’t hit all that hard, but lined over the infield, it seemed a good sign. Anthony Santander struck out. Daulton Varsho singled on a line to right, again not hit hard but cleared the infield, to load the bases.
And Alejandro Kirk unloaded them. He was so cold for so long, and then he hit homers in consecutive games. Baseball is hard to understand. And we were up 5-1.
All seemed good, even with a couple of strikeouts to end the inning.
Gausman had a quick second. And then things went bad in the third. After a strikeout, Gausman gave up a walk and three consecutive singles.
Then Vlad made another terrific play, picking up a ground ball, he considered throwing to second, to try for the double play, but saw there wasn’t a chance and he threw home, getting the out there. It was a brilliant play. Unfortunately, Gausman gave up another single and the Rays made it 5-4 before Gausman got a strikeout to end the inning.
After the grand slam, I thought it would be easy going the rest of the way. But nothing comes that easy.
We had a quick bottom of the third (with a Kirk double).
Gausman came out for the fourth, getting a strikeout, then giving up two walks, and I was thinking the worst. After another strikeout (and a double steal) Gausman walked Junior Caminero to load the bases. That was it for Gausman.
Mason Fluharty replaced him and got a five-pitch strikeout.
We added to the lead in the fourth, Ernie Clement lead off with a single. Myles Straw bunted him to second. I hate bunts, I hate bunts in early innings. But this is what John does. A singled but runners on the corners (without the bunt, that single would have put runners on the corners).
Then Andrés Giménez pinch-hitting for Davis Schneider (what are you thinking, John?) hit a sac fly and we were up 6-4.
Thankfully, from there the bullpen was great:
- Louis Varland gave up a hit and a walk but had two strikeouts in the sixth.
- Brendon Little pitched a terrific seventh, one walk but three strikeouts.
- Braydon Fisher had a very quick eighth, with one strikeout. 15 pitches total. If we didn’t have a week off, I would have been upset that John didn’t leave him in for the ninth.
- Eric Lauer had a very quick ninth. The Rays seemed to want to get it over with too.
And we scored a bunch more:
- Two runs in the fifth. Another Kirk home run, this one hit harder (107.2 mph, 419 feet), bringing in Santander who walked.
- Five in the seventh: Varsho had a one-out single. Kirk popped out, he can’t homer every time up. But Addison Barger homered (108.9 mph, 420 feet). Clement walked. Straw tripled (why have him bunt earlier?) and Springer hit his 32nd home run of the season.
After that, it was just waiting for the end of the game.
I love watch the celebrations. My wife likes it too, but mostly for the shirtless men.
Jays of the Day: KIRK (.346 WPA), Fluharty (.154) and Springer (.098).
Other Award: Gausman (-.251). He threw a lot of innings the last month. I’m hoping the week off helps him.
We don’t play again until Saturday, I’m not sure how we are going to fill time.
