Yet another Blue Jays loss at Tropicana Field

Blue Jays 1 Rays 4

That was boring and we lost.

Our offense has disappeared again. We managed all of 5 singles.

We talked a lot about the ‘opener’ strategy the Rays have been using and tonight was a great advertisement for it. Ryne Stanek ‘started’, pitched 2 perfect innings, striking out 3. We finally scored in the 3rd inning. Randal Grichuk and Aledmys Diaz started the inning with singles. A poor throw from the outfield allowed both to move up a base. Runners on 2nd and 3rd, no outs, it looked good. Luke Maile struck out looking (after swinging at a pitch over his head, he watched strike 3 go right down the center of the strike zone). Devon Travis ground out, scoring out only run. And, after pinch hitter Kendrys Morales walked, Yangeris Solarte ground out on the first pitch he saw.

It looks like we are back to the crappy offense portion of our program.

Jamie Garcia was pretty good for 5 innings. He gave up a 2-run homer in the 3rd. Through 5 innings, he gave up 3 hits, 2 earned, 3 walks and 4 strikeouts.

He came out to start the 5th, which didn’t go as well. He gave up a walk and a double and he was out of the game at 101 pitches.

Joe Biagini came in and gave up a hard hit single. If the infield hadn’t been playing in, I think Travis would have made the play on it, but, as it was, it was past him before he could get to it. A popped up bunt followed (stupid move by the Rays, considering Joe has been having trouble getting anyone out, but then Mallex Smith lined a single up the middle and the other inherited run scored. That was followed by a double play, but by then it was too late.

A 2-1 game became a 4-1 game and, playing at the Trop, that’s like a 10 run lead in a normal park (and since we only had 1 more base runner over the last three innings, a 1 run lead would have been lots for the Rays).

Not that it matters, but Tyler Clippard and Aaron Loup pitched a scoreless inning each.

No Jays of the Day today. Aledmys Diaz had the high mark at .077 WPA.

Suckage: Solarte (-.154, 0 for 4 and really not a decent at bat all game), Maile (-.106, 0 for 3) and Garcia (-.122) and even though he didn’t have the number, lets give one to Biagini (-.032).

We get one more game at that wonderful place, Tropicana Field. Earlier tonight I said ‘it might not be hell, but I’m sure you can see it from there’.

We had 372 comments in the GameThread. I led the way (I’m sure I’ve led in a game we’ve won, but I can’t remember).