Another lackluster loss to the Rays

Rays 7 Blue Jays 1

For whatever reason, the powers that be scheduled a night game on Labour Day, which makes about as much sense as 10 games against the Rays in September. The way the Jays showed up, it may as well have been an afternoon game for them.

The Jays eked out a single run in the 2nd inning, taking advantage of shakiness from Yonny Chirinos as he entered the game after opener Ryne Stanek pitched a perfect 1st inning. After a pair of walks, Teoscar Hernandex singled to drive in the first and only run of the evening. The next nine batters were retired in order.

It didn’t get any better after that. Danny Jansen broke that stretch of futility by walking in the 5th, only to be erased on a double play. Billy McKinney singled in the 6th, only to erased on a double play. Kevin Pillar and Aledmys Diaz singled to start the 7th, only for the rally to be killed on...you guessed it, a double play (followed by a groundout on two pitches). At least it wasn’t a triple play, I guess.

Coming off the disabled list, Marcus Stroman turned in another clunker. The Rays plated a run on a trio of singles in the first. The second started even more auspiciously, with the first two reaching on a triple and dropped third strike. An infield single scored run number two, and then a double cashed both runners doubled that tally. After a two out hit-by-pitch, Stroman was done.

At least with it being September there were plenty of arms in the bullpen to handle the load and six relievers followed:

• Jose Fernandez threw 2.1 innings, giving up a run on a pair of hits with a couple of swinging strikeouts
• Danny Barnes followed, allowing a single and walk to start the 5th
• Tim Mayza got a double play, but a wild pitch scoring one of the inherited runners before he got out of the inning. He got six outs facing just five batters, four ground outs and a strikeout in yet another good outing. Mayza’s really making a play to be at least one of the lefties in the 2019 pen
• Taylor Guerrieri got a nice strikeout on a curveball, but also torched for a home run in his inning of work
• Tyler Clippard struck out the side around a hit
• Mark Leiter Jr. made his Blue Jays debut with a clean 9th, one strikeout.

On the plus side, the Jays are down to single digit games left with the Rays! Tomorrow’s a new day, something something cliche.

Jays of the Day: None. Teoscar had the high number at +0.078 WPA

Suckage: Stroman (-0.281) and basically the entire lethargic lineup.

Tomorrow, the Jays and Rays play again at 7:05 eastern. The good news for the Jays is it should be an even matchup, TBA against TBA. Will this one be worth watching? TBA!