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Instant Reaction: Bullpen sunk the Blue Jays again, as they blew a 4-0 lead in loss to Rays
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Photo credit: © Nick Turchiaro - USA Today
Ryley Delaney
May 18, 2024, 18:00 EDTUpdated: May 18, 2024, 18:13 EDT
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Well, that was a horrendous loss.
On Saturday afternoon, the Blue Jays hosted the Tampa Bay Rays for the second of three games, falling 5-4 to bring their record to 19-25. On Friday, it was the first time since the end of the 2019 season the Blue Jays fell to five games below .500, and it’s not getting any better despite what general manager Ross Atkins said in his press conference.
It started off well though for the Blue Jays, as Sixth Spot Springer hit a single that scored Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for the first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth. George Springer’s bat has been cold all season, but this is a good sign.
The Blue Jays got the majority of their scoring done in the bottom of the fifth, as the Blue Jays had four consecutive hits, culminated by a Daulton Varsho double which scored two runners, before Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled and was thrown out trying to head to second.
However, the bad started in the next half inning, as Kevin Gausman had the bases loaded and gave up a single to Amed Rosario, who drove in two. José Caballero singled in a run as well, making it a 4-3 game.
It stayed that way until the top of the eighth, as Jonny DeLuca hit his second home run of the season to give the Rays a 5-4 lead, which was the final score of the game. The Jays had a chance to tie or take the lead in the bottom of the eighth, but after getting the first two batters on, they recorded three straight outs.
Yikes.

Things worth mentioning…

Kevin Gausman was left in the game too long. In the top of the sixth, the first two batters reached on a single before Gausman recorded two outs. He walked the next batter, which allowed Rosario to come up to the plate. At that point, John Schneider should’ve turned to the bullpen, but didn’t. In the end, Gausman was tagged with three earned runs, finishing with a line of 6 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continued his hot streak, finishing with two singles and a double, while being thrown out trying to extend into a double. What could’ve been if he wasn’t thrown out, but Guerrero Jr. is certainly rounding into form, as he’s now batting .280.
Bo Bichette’s seven-game hit streak ended on Saturday, as he went 0-3 with a hit by pitch. He was the last Blue Jays’ hitter to reach base in the bottom of the eighth. Still, he’s been playing much better as of late.
Two other Blue Jays had multi-hit games, as Davis Schneider had a double and a single in five at bats, while Danny Jansen had a double and a single in four at bats. Kevin Kiermaier also had a single.
Yimi García continues to be a menace, striking out a batter and allowing his sixth walk of the season. Still, he’s only given up one earned run in 18 innings this season, with his ERA dropping from 0.53 to 0.50.
Trevor Richards continues to be one of the most consistent relievers in the pen, as he came in with runners one first and second with no outs, before getting a pop out, two strikeouts, while allowing a walk to load the bases. This season, Richards has a 2.70 ERA and a 4.23 FIP in 20 innings pitched.
It’s official, the Blue Jays haven’t won a series in a whole month, with their last winning series coming against the San Diego Padres from April 19 to April 21. They’ve lost six series and tied two of them, one of which was thanks to a rain delay. At what point should this team consider selling?
Up next: The Blue Jays will try and salvage the series, as they’ll take on the Rays on Sunday at 1:37 with Alek Manoah on the mound. Despite the eight-straight series without a win, the Blue Jays have yet to be swept this season. Play for some pride here.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.

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