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Instant Reaction: Blue Jays fall 4-0 to Rays in first shutout loss in three months
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Photo credit: © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Sep 18, 2025, 16:15 EDTUpdated: Sep 18, 2025, 16:34 EDT
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Well, that was ugly.
On Thursday afternoon, the Toronto Blue Jays played the fourth and final game against the Tampa Bay Rays, falling 4-0 in what was the first time they’ve been shutout since June 13th. Their record is now 89-64. Let’s take a look at what went on in this one.
The Blue Jays lost this game in the bottom of the second, as the Rays kept finding holes. After Chris Bassitt got the first two batters out, Hunter Feduccia, Carson Williams, and Bob Seymour hit singles to load the bases. Chandler Simpson hit a two-RBI single, followed by a Brandon Lowe single to make it 3-0.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Rays added another run as Carson Williams hit a solo home run to make it 4-0, more than enough to give the Blue Jays their second consecutive loss.

Takeaways…

Like Wednesday’s game, it was a quiet day for the Blue Jays’ offence, as they finished with just four hits. Nathan Lukes hit a single in the top of the first, Daulton Varsho hit a single in the top of the fifth, Ernie Clement hit a double in the top of the eighth, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr hit a single in the top of the ninth. Not nearly good enough.
Chris Bassitt wasn’t particularly good in this game either, especially in the bottom of the second as the ball just kept finding a hole in a three-run inning. Overall, he pitched just four and one-third innings, giving up eight hits, three earned runs, two walks, and three strikeouts.
Eric Lauer was the first reliever out of the bullpen, giving up a solo home run in his inning and a third of work. Braydon Fisher pitched a clean inning and a third, while Seranthony Domínguez struck out a batter in his clean inning.
As bad as that series was, specifically the last two games, the Jays are in great shape. If they go 6-3 over their last nine games, it doesn’t matter what any of the other American League teams do – the Jays will finish with the top record in the American League.
There’s a chance that the status quo will remain by the end of the evening. The Jays lost, but so too did the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox. As for the New York Yankees, they play at 7:15 PM ET with Max Fried starting against the Baltimore Orioles. It seems likely that the Yankees will win that game to move to three games behind the Jays.
Up next for the Blue Jays is a three-game series over the weekend against the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City, Missouri. Friday’s game will see Max Scherzer make the start at 7:40 PM ET.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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