Thursday was a great day for the Blue Jays. The same cannot be said for Friday.

In the second game of a four-game series, the Toronto Blue Jays lost 8-2 to the Tampa Bay Rays, bringing their record to 1-1.
Like Thursday, the team that hit the first home run lost, as George Springer hit his second home run in as many days. This one came off the bat at 100.1 mph and went 362 feet. It was a home run in 25 of 30 parks, edging out yesterday’s home run which was a home run in 24 parks.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
TOR TBR G2. March 29, 2024. George Springer, home run (2). 1-0🎥: Sportsnet | MLB <a href="https://t.co/BotgMOeSXW">pic.twitter.com/BotgMOeSXW</a>
&mdash; Nation Network Media (@NationNMedia) <a href="https://twitter.com/NationNMedia/status/1773855275524776294?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The lead was short lived though, as with runners on first and second, Bo Bichette committed an error on a double-play ball. The next batter, Brandon Lowe, went deep for a grand slam to give the Rays a 4-1 lead, and they never looked back.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
TOR TBR G2. March 29, 2024. Brandon Lowe home run. 4-1🎥: Sportsnet | MLB <a href="https://t.co/qEILdTqmgq">pic.twitter.com/qEILdTqmgq</a>
&mdash; Nation Network Media (@NationNMedia) <a href="https://twitter.com/NationNMedia/status/1773857741356093931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
That doesn’t mean that the Rays stopped the offense, nor did the Blue Jays’ defence help their matter. The team committed two straight errors, one where Vladimir Guerrero Jr. whiffed on a tough throw by Bo Bichette, as well as Guerrero Jr. airmailing the ball and missing Chris Bassitt.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
TOR TBR G2. March 29, 2024. Two straight Blue Jays errors. 4-1🎥: Sportsnet | MLB <a href="https://t.co/QFF5UBdExl">pic.twitter.com/QFF5UBdExl</a>
&mdash; Nation Network Media (@NationNMedia) <a href="https://twitter.com/NationNMedia/status/1773865563305214027?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
In turn, this led to an opportunity for Randy Arozarena to drive in a run, which he did with an RBI single up the middle. This gave the Rays a 5-1 lead, which was a little unnecessary with how the Blue Jays offense was working.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
TOR TBR G2. March 29, 2024. Randy Arozarena single + RBI. 5-1🎥: Sportsnet | MLB <a href="https://t.co/T5WGXHdhBi">pic.twitter.com/T5WGXHdhBi</a>
&mdash; Nation Network Media (@NationNMedia) <a href="https://twitter.com/NationNMedia/status/1773865624277856551?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
They scored a handful more, including a Yandy Díaz single that drove in two runs, giving the Rays an 8-1 lead heading into the top of the ninth. The Jays just lacked fight after the grand slam.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
TOR TBR G2. March 29, 2024. Yandy Díaz single that drives in two. 8-1🎥: Sportsnet | MLB <a href="https://t.co/DAXSsTYAQj">pic.twitter.com/DAXSsTYAQj</a>
&mdash; Nation Network Media (@NationNMedia) <a href="https://twitter.com/NationNMedia/status/1773880382381006910?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
In a meaningless game, Justin Turner hit a double, was moved over on the next out, and was driven in with Alejandro Kirk’s first RBI of the season on a sac fly. Way too little, way too late.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
TOR TBR G2. March 29, 2024. Alejandro Kirk sac fly, Justin Turner scores first run as a Jay. 8-2🎥: Sportsnet | MLB <a href="https://t.co/oZhcG1p9U9">pic.twitter.com/oZhcG1p9U9</a>
&mdash; Nation Network Media (@NationNMedia) <a href="https://twitter.com/NationNMedia/status/1773882563507233233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<h2>Things worth mentioning…</h2>
Chris Bassitt had a great start to his game, striking out the first four batters he saw. However, he ended the game with a line of 5 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K. The lack of an out clearly changed the game, but Bassitt wasn’t at his best. Here are all six strikeouts.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
TOR TBR G2. March 29, 2024. Chris Bassitt&#39;s six strikeouts. 6-1🎥: Sportsnet | MLB <a href="https://t.co/Q6O2oqFOhc">pic.twitter.com/Q6O2oqFOhc</a>
&mdash; Nation Network Media (@NationNMedia) <a href="https://twitter.com/NationNMedia/status/1773876358214754396?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Wes Parsons completed the rest of the game, finishing with a line of 3 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K. He did what he needed to do, throw strikes, eat innings in an unwinnable game. He wasn’t really bad by any means, but he is clearly the garbage time pitcher.
Justin Turner hit a double, which was his first hit as a Blue Jay. Nice swing to his pull side that was 102.1 mph off the bat with an expected batting average of .560. More of this, please.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
TOR TBR G2. March 29, 2024. Justin Turner first hit as a Blue Jay. 8-1🎥: Sportsnet | MLB <a href="https://t.co/2OH9q9Ywsh">pic.twitter.com/2OH9q9Ywsh</a>
&mdash; Nation Network Media (@NationNMedia) <a href="https://twitter.com/NationNMedia/status/1773881739116724538?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Vladimir Guerrero had two hits on Friday evening, which made up 33.33% of the Blue Jays’ hits in this game. The other two hits we haven’t covered were Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s first hit as a Blue Jay, and a hit from Daulton Varsho.
Up next: Burn the tape of this game and move on. On Saturday at 4:10 PM ET, the Blue Jays will have a chance to get at least a draw in this four game set. Yusei Kikuchi will be on the mound for Toronto.
<hr />
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Brennan_L_D.
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Thursday was a great day for the Blue Jays. The same cannot be said for Friday.



In the second game of a four-game series, the Toronto Blue Jays lost 8-2 to the Tampa Bay Rays, bringing their record to 1-1.

Like Thursday, the team that hit the first home run lost, as George Springer hit his second home run in as many days. This one came off the bat at 100.1 mph and went 362 feet. It was a home run in 25 of 30 parks, edging out yesterday’s home run which was a home run in 24 parks.

https://twitter.com/NationNMedia/status/1773855275524776294

The lead was short lived though, as with runners on first and second, Bo Bichette committed an error on a double-play ball. The next batter, Brandon Lowe, went deep for a grand slam to give the Rays a 4-1 lead, and they never looked back.

https://twitter.com/NationNMedia/status/1773857741356093931

That doesn’t mean that the Rays stopped the offense, nor did the Blue Jays’ defence help their matter. The team committed two straight errors, one where Vladimir Guerrero Jr. whiffed on a tough throw by Bo Bichette, as well as Guerrero Jr. airmailing the ball and missing Chris Bassitt.

https://twitter.com/NationNMedia/status/1773865563305214027

In turn, this led to an opportunity for Randy Arozarena to drive in a run, which he did with an RBI single up the middle. This gave the Rays a 5-1 lead, which was a little unnecessary with how the Blue Jays offense was working.

https://twitter.com/NationNMedia/status/1773865624277856551

They scored a handful more, including a Yandy Díaz single that drove in two runs, giving the Rays an 8-1 lead heading into the top of the ninth. The Jays just lacked fight after the grand slam.

https://twitter.com/NationNMedia/status/1773880382381006910

In a meaningless game, Justin Turner hit a double, was moved over on the next out, and was driven in with Alejandro Kirk’s first RBI of the season on a sac fly. Way too little, way too late.

https://twitter.com/NationNMedia/status/1773882563507233233
<h2>Things worth mentioning…</h2>
Chris Bassitt had a great start to his game, striking out the first four batters he saw. However, he ended the game with a line of 5 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K. The lack of an out clearly changed the game, but Bassitt wasn’t at his best. Here are all six strikeouts.

https://twitter.com/NationNMedia/status/1773876358214754396

Wes Parsons completed the rest of the game, finishing with a line of 3 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K. He did what he needed to do, throw strikes, eat innings in an unwinnable game. He wasn’t really bad by any means, but he is clearly the garbage time pitcher.

Justin Turner hit a double, which was his first hit as a Blue Jay. Nice swing to his pull side that was 102.1 mph off the bat with an expected batting average of .560. More of this, please.

https://twitter.com/NationNMedia/status/1773881739116724538

Vladimir Guerrero had two hits on Friday evening, which made up 33.33% of the Blue Jays’ hits in this game. The other two hits we haven’t covered were Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s first hit as a Blue Jay, and a hit from Daulton Varsho.

Up next: Burn the tape of this game and move on. On Saturday at 4:10 PM ET, the Blue Jays will have a chance to get at least a draw in this four game set. Yusei Kikuchi will be on the mound for Toronto.

<hr />

As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Brennan_L_D.

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