Rays 1 Jays 3
It looked like it was going to be another night where the bats didn’t show up. But then came the sixth inning. Vlad walked. Santander and Springer each struck out but Varsho singled and then Kirk hit a homer and we were up 3-1.
Chris Bassitt had another good start, going 5.2, allowing 7 hits but just 1 earned with 6 strikeouts. The run came in the fourth. Jonathan Arenda started with a walk, then was replaced by Christopher Morel on a force out. Morel stole second and got to third on a Kirk throwing error (I thought Bo should have caught it, but he was late getting there). Kamerson (What is it with the spelling of these names?) Misner singled him home. Jose Caballero doubled to give them runners on second and third. But Ernie Clement made a nice throw to home to stop the Rays from scoring on a ground ball to second. And Danny Jansen ground out to end the inning.
We should have scored more….isn’t that always the case. Vlad walked. Santander popped out. Springer doubled, putting runners on second and third. But Varsho popped out and Kirk hit a line drive that Misner made a nice running catch (barely catching it and not trapping it).
Our pen went 3.1 perfect innings. Brendon Little (1.1, 1 k, getting the W), Yariel Rodriguez (1.0, 1 k, hold number 5) and Yimi Garcia (1.0, 1 k, save number 3).
We had 8 hits on the day. 2 for Vlad. O fors for Bo, Additon, and Clase.
Jays of the Day: Kirk (.470 WPA) and Bassitt (.148). Honourable mention to Little, Rodriguez and Garcia.
Other Award: Springer (-.163, 1 for 4, k), Bo (-.123 0 for 4, k) and Clase (-.112, 0 for 3, 2k).
Tomorrow we have an afternoon game, because Tom has afternoon plans (which will now include bar time). 3:00 Eastern. Zack Littell (2-5, 4.40) vs. Kevin Gausman (3-3, 3.97) fight to win the series.