The Tampa Bay Rays love shut video games. With their 1-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays Friday evening, they improved their MLB-best document in video games determined by two runs or fewer to 51-32.
The Rays had an early alternative to attain within the backside of the primary. Yandy Díaz led off with a double to heart, instantly placing stress on Toronto’s starter, Jose Berrios. A handed ball allowed Díaz to advance to 3rd with one out, setting the stage for an early lead. Nonetheless, the Blue Jays’ protection held agency. Junior Caminero popped out in foul territory, and Jonathan Aranda struck out to finish the inning, leaving Díaz stranded.
Within the backside of the third, the Rays threatened once more. Díaz drew a stroll, and Caminero adopted with a double, putting runners on second and third with only one out. However as soon as once more, the Blue Jays’ protection rose to the event. Jonathan Aranda hit a grounder to first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who shortly threw dwelling to catch Díaz trying to attain. Ernie Clement then made a highlight-worthy play to finish the inning, making a cease on a groundball headed to left subject and making a throw whereas falling away from second to second base to shut out the inning.
Toronto additionally had their probabilities. Within the prime of the fifth, Davis Schneider walked, and Leo Jiménez was hit by a pitch, placing two on with no outs. The Rays made a pitching change, bringing in Kevin Kelly to exchange Tyler Alexander after Luis De Los Santos was known as out on strikes. Kelly acquired the Blue Jays to pop as much as third, ending the inning with none injury and sustaining the scoreless tie.
The tie was lastly damaged within the backside of the sixth. With one out, Jonathan Aranda stepped up and launched a towering fly ball over the right-center subject wall for his fourth homer of the season. The Rays took a 1-0 lead, a run that felt monumental in such a tightly contested recreation.
The Blue Jays didn’t go quietly. Pinch-hitter Nathan Lukes singled on the prime of the seventh with two outs, and Jonatan Clase adopted go well with, placing runners on first and second. A wild pitch superior them to second and third, making issues fascinating. However Manuel Rodríguez, who had simply taken over on the mound this inning, saved his composure. He acquired George Springer to floor out to second, ending the inning and preserving the slim lead.
Within the prime of the eighth, Toronto threatened as soon as extra. Ernie Clement drew a stroll and stole second, placing the tying run in scoring place with no outs however would get out attempting to advance to 3rd two at-bats later.
The ninth inning was all about closing it out. Hunter Bigge took the mound for the Rays, tasked with sealing the victory. He delivered underneath stress, putting out Davis Schneider and pinch-hitter Addison Barger. Nathan Lukes then grounded out to shortstop Taylor Partitions, and the Rays celebrated a hard-fought win.
The Rays are 5 wins away from salvaging the season and ending .500 with an ultra-long shot to make the postseason nonetheless potential.
