USATSI_9437468_168381442_lowres

Recap: Blue Jays 7, Rays 5; Jays’ Hit Parade Bails out Dickey’s Poor Performance

After losing the final two games on a road trip in which the offense just couldn’t seem to get it in gear, the Blue Jays returned home to face the Tampa Bay Rays, who swept the Jays at home back in May. The Jays sent R.A. Dickey to the mound to face Jake Odorizzi, who entered tonight’s game having not given up an earned run in his last three starts.

Both starters struggled early and seemed to constantly be pitching with runners on base, but it was the Jays who took the early lead when a sacrifice fly by Jose Bautista cashed in a Devon Travis triple, and Edwin Encarnacion hit a solo home run to give the Jays a 2-0 after the first. The Rays hit three doubles off of Dickey in the fourth to tie the game, but the Jays got right back to hitting and scored two of their own in the bottom of the inning to take another two-run lead.

The Rays once again tied it in the fifth inning, knocking Dickey from the game. The score would remain locked at 4-4 until the bottom of the seventh, when the Jays scored three runs after three straight walks to load the bases. The Rays would tack on another run when Logan Forsythe homered off of Roberto Osuna in the bottom of the ninth, but it was too little, too late. The seven runs scored tonight represents a much-needed offensive production, given that they managed to score just seven runs total in their three games against Kansas City.

Top Play of the Game by WPA

The top play of the game by WPA (.199) came in the fourth inning with the score tied at two runs apiece. Jake Odorizzi loaded the bases with two out for Edwin Encarnacion, who singled to left to score Jose Thole and Devon Travis,.

Bottom Play of the Game by WPA

The Rays had an opportunity to take the lead in the seventh inning, Logan Forsythe walked followed by a Keven Kiermaier double to begin the inning. However, Joaquin Benoit was able to shut down the Rays, striking out Evan Longoria and then getting Brad Miller to fly out to right, which was the bottom play of the game by WPA (-.135).

A Four-Hit Night – Including a Triple –  for Travis

Devon Travis, who’s been swinging a scorching hot bat as of late, led off the game with his first career triple. Travis subsequently went 4-for-5, giving him his first career four-hit game.

Edwin 300 Home Run Watch

With his solo shot in the first inning of tonight’s game, Edwin is now just one home run shy of 300 for his career. It is quite lucky that he will reach that milestone at some point this series.

Up Next

Marco Estrada and his 2.92 ERA will get the start tomorrow for the Jays. The Rays will counter with Drew Smyly, who has really struggled this season. There’s a high chance of precipitation tomorrow – Josh Donaldson is 8-for-17 with three home runs versus Smyly. First pitch flies at 7:07 PM ET.

Lead Photo: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Related Articles

Leave a comment

Use your Baseball Prospectus username