The Tampa Bay Rays bullpen was once again unable to hold onto the lead en route to a 10-9 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in 12 innings.
The Rays quickly jumped out in front with a pair of 3-run home runs (Willy Adames 11, Travis d’Arnaud 12) in the 2nd inning. They would add two more runs in the 3rd and a sacrifice fly by Guillermo Heredia in the 6th making it 9-2 before allowing 8 unanswered runs with the Toronto Blue Jays ultimately tying the game before winning in extra innings. The Jays bullpen retired 21 consecutive batters to close out the game.
The Jays’ rally was bookended by Brandon Drury (4-6, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 HR) who got things started with an RBI single with two outs in the 6th. He followed with a solo home run in his next at-bat in the 8th then launched a game-tying, two-out solo home run off reliever Colin Poche in the bottom of the 9th.
It was the league-leading 26th loss charged to Tampa Bay’s bullpen this season. Three more than any other team in baseball. Yonny Chirinos will face Aaron Sanchez in the series-deciding game three on Sunday at 1:07 p.m. EST.
Trade Deadline Approach
Despite the injury to Blake Snell, expected to keep him sidelined until September, the Rays are still hoping to be buyers with Wednesday’s deadline approaching. It hinges on how the team finishes out the month of July general manager Erik Neander indicated to Mark Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.
“The belief we have in this group extends well beyond Blake,’’ Neander said. “As long as they’re able to take care of their business and play to their potential between now and the end of the month, I think we want to do everything we can not to take this season for granted and see if there is a way to help this team in a responsible fashion.’’
Today’s loss drops the Rays to 59-48. They are 0.5 games back of the Boston Red Sox for the second Wild Cart spot. Tampa Bay travels to Boston for a critical three-game set starting on Tuesday in what could be their most consequential series of the season.
News and Notes
• Saturday’s game in Toronto was the first time the Rays have scored more than five runs since game two of the doubleheader in Baltimore on July 13th.
• Travis d’Arnaud now has 17 RBI’s over the Rays’ last nine games. The rest of the team has combined for 22 RBI’s total over the same span.
• Colin Poche has now allowed six home runs over his last 10 appearances.
• The Rays are now 6-9 since the All-Star break with seven of the losses coming against opponents from the AL East.
