Robertson Gets Two Key Hits:
Daniel Robertson doubled in the tying run in the seventh and after Travis d’Arnaud delivered a go-ahead sacrifice fly he delivered an RBI single to provide an insurance run in the eighth as the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 5-3.
Nick Anderson (5-4, 3.12 ERA) picks up the win for the Rays who win their fourth in a row and improve to 85-59 on the season. They have won nine of their last 10 games overall and are a season high 26 games over .500. It’s their most games over .500 since finishing the 2010 season at 96-66. Oliver Drake worked the ninth inning, striking out the side, to pick up his second save of the season.
Jordan Romano (0-2, 5.00 ERA) takes the loss for Toronto who fall to 55-88 on the season. It’s the sixth straight loss for Toronto who are now 3-15 in their last 18 games.
Morton Delivers Quality Start:
Charlie Morton worked six innings allowing three earned run on five hits while striking out ten, walking two, and hit a pair of batters.
Kay Solid In His Big League Debut:
Anthony Kay worked 5.2-innings in his big league debut allowing a pair of earned runs on four hits while striking out eight and walking three.
“I’m glad I’m saying ‘wow’, I like what I saw.” Charlie Montoyo said. “He’s a bulldog on the mound, he pitches inside, he changes speed, he did a great job.”
Rays Strike First:
The Rays jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning. Avisail Garcia singled off the glove of Vladimir Guerrero, moved to third on a bloop single by Tommy Pham, and scored on a single by Austin Meadows. Matt Duffy was hit by a pitch to load the bases and Anthony Kay walked Willy Adames on four pitches to force in Austin Meadows.
Toronto Rallies To Take Lead In Sixth:
Toronto scored times to take the lead in the top of the sixth. Rowdy Tellez singled, Vladimir Guerrero’s doubled, and Justin Smoak walked to load the bases with one out. Resse McGuire’s single scored Tellez and Jonathan Davis singled to score Guerrero to tie the game at 2-2. Billy McKinney delivered a sacrifice fly to give Toronto the 3-2 lead.
Rays Tie It Up In Seventh:
Kean Wong, pinch hitting for Mike Zunino, singled to open the seventh inning. It was his first big league hit and he would come around to score his first big league run on Daniel Robertson’s double tying the score at 3-3.
Rays Regain Lead In Eighth:
Ji-Man Choi, pinch hitting for Matt Duffy, drew a leadoff walk and moved to third on Kevin Kiermaier‘s double. Joey Wendle struck out for the first out of the inning.
Kevin Cash turned to Travis d’Arnaud to pinch hit for Micheal Perez and pinch ran Michael Brosseau for Ji-Man Choi. Blue Jays Manager Charlie Montoyo brought in the right hander Ryan Tepera who allowed a sacrifice fly off the bat of d’Arnaud scoring Brosseau with the go-ahead run. Daniel Robertson followed with a single to push the Rays lead to 5-3.
Roster Move: Brosseau Recalled
Prior to the game, the Tampa Bay Rays recalled infielder Michael Brosseau from the Durham Bulls. His activation brings the active roster to 35 players. He begins his third stint with the Rays this season, following June 22 through 27 and July 3 through August 27. In 73 games with Durham he hit .304/.934/.467. In 23 games with the Rays he’s batting .282/.321/.484 with six homers spanning 132 plate appearances.
Rehabbing Ray:
Blake Snell worked 0.2-innings for the Durham Bulls throwing 24 pitches 12 for strikes. He allowed one earned run on two hits while striking out two and walking two.
Up Next For Rays:
The Rays and Blue Jays will conclude their series on Sunday afternoon at 1:10. Tyler Glasnow (6-1, 1.86 ERA) will return to the Rays for the first time since straining his forearm on May 11th. The Blue Jays will counter with Jacob Waguespack (4-3, 3.97 ERA).
