Patient approach leads Blue Jays to series opening win against the Rays
By Cam Lewis
10 months agoIt felt like a playoff preview in Tampa on Friday night, but things went better for the Blue Jays at The Trop than usual.
Three walks and a hit-by-pitch fueled a four-run rally in the sixth inning and the bullpen slammed the door as the Blue Jays kicked off their weekend set against the Rays with a 6-2 win. It had the makings of Game 1 of the wild-card series in 2020 but a more mature Blue Jays team found a way to win.
Things worth mentioning…
- Chris Bassitt allowed a run in the first inning when Randy Arozarena doubled and Harold Ramirez singled him home but the righty settled in and cleared through six innings without allowing anything else. In the seventh, Curtis Mead smashed the first home run of his career and Bassitt was pulled in favour of Jordan Hicks, who struck out Rene Pinto to end the inning. All told, Bassitt went 6 2/3 and allowed two earned runs on six hits while striking out eight and walking none.
- Rays starter Tyler Glashow was pretty much untouchable through five innings but the Blue Jays got to him in the sixth when they brought out their ultra-patient approach. George Springer and Bo Bichette singled and, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Cavan Biggio, and Alejandro Kirk all drew walks, Matt Chapman was hit by a pitch, and Daulton Varsho hit a single in a four-run rally.
- The Blue Jays added some insurance runs in the ninth inning. Varsho smashed a solo homer and Whit Merrifield and Santiago Espinal hit back-to-back doubles. Jordan Romano came in to pick up the final out of the eighth and stayed in to close the door in the ninth as the Blue Jays won 6-2.
ARTICLE PRESENTED BY BETANO
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