Jays lose in extras

Blue Jays 2 Rays 1 (11 innings)

Gotta hate walk off losses.

Casey Lawrence gets his first MLB action and his first loss. Totally unfair for him, But that’s life.

What a terrific start for Aaron Sanchez. 7 innings, just 4 hits allowed, 3 walks, 6 strikeouts. 1 earned.

He absolutely amazed me, throwing 101 pitches, after missing his last spring start. I figured the Jays would be happy if he got them 80-85 pitches and 6 innings.

Aaron did seem to tire late, he had a hard time hitting his spots in the 7th, but, when he needed a pitch, he seemed to be able to dig deep and get it.

We really should have won it for him.

Chris Archer was also terrific. To me....well to almost anyone, the Rays left him in an inning too long. He was at 97 pitches going into the 8th. He walked Russell Martin to start the inning (I was sure Archer was done). Then Justin Smoak singles, giving us runners on the corners, with no outs. Again, I though Archer was done. Kevin Pillar helped him out by popping up on the first pitch and Devon Travis watched strike three go right down the middle. Thankfully, Josh Donaldson singled and we had a lead.

Archer left after 114 pitches. Too many for this early in the year.

We scored our other run in the 7th. Back-to-back walks to Josh and Jose, to start the inning, and Troy Tulowitzki single (after Kendrys Morales just missed slicing a double down the left field line, foul by three feet, then hit a hard grounder into a double play).

Joe Biagini started the 8th. He got an out, then gave up a single and a walk. A line single tied the game. A fly out and a pop out got him out of the inning. He got thru the 9th despite a steal, and wild pitch.

I’ll full this in later....busy night.