The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4, securing their fourth consecutive win. The Rays initially fell behind 4-0 but rallied in the eighth inning with a two-run homer by Jonny DeLuca, giving them a 5-4 lead. Tyler Alexander was stellar on the mound, retiring the first 22 Blue Jays batters before Danny Jansen broke up his perfect game bid in the eighth inning. Jason Adam helped maintain the 5-4 lead in the eighth, and Garrett Cleavinger closed out the game. The Blue Jays, now 19-25, have lost their second straight game to the Rays and are six games below .500. They have also failed to win in eight consecutive series.
"We need to get him going." The Blue Jays moved George Springer down in the lineup on Saturday but the club's troubles continued in another loss. (@ByDavidSingh) https://t.co/hIMHBrKl1q
Blue Jays on the receiving end of another gut-punch loss, this time to the visiting Rays https://t.co/9yJq1LMg5T https://t.co/5eV5lSeQMm
My game story on this afternoon's #Bluejays loss - their 15th in 21 games: https://t.co/w28IC0Y7Wq
Blue Jays let four-run lead slip away in loss to Rays https://t.co/Ckhhn5148k
Toronto Blue Jays blow 4-0 lead, lose to Rays 5-4 https://t.co/kdgjNLVn3n
DeLuca's two-run homer lifts Rays over Blue Jays 5-4; Toronto blows 4-0 lead https://t.co/KfpSHmR5sn https://t.co/DP7hrOWjuo
Jonny DeLuca blasts two-run homer in Rays win https://t.co/zgE6xc2OZw
#Bluejays manage just one hit after the 5th and blow a 4-0 lead, losing 5-4 to #Rays. They’re now winless in eight straight series and 11-2 in games they’ve led by at least four runs.
The Rays (+120) take down the Blue Jays, winning their fourth game in a row. 😤 https://t.co/A3oIQQd90H
Blue Jays lose again, falling to 19-25. They're not in a good spot right now. Up @sportsnet a look at where that could lead https://t.co/ia9P0Ogku6
#BlueJays lose, 5-4. They are 19-25. These are big losses in big games, even in May.
And that's your ballgame, #Rays beat #BlueJays 5-4, win 4th straight
#BlueJays lose their second straight to the #Rays 5-4 They’re now 6 games below .500 (19-25) for the first time this season
Off we go to the bottom of the ninth with #Bluejays down 5-4. Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Ernie Clement are coming up to pinch-hit for Biggio and Kiermaier with lefty Garrett Cleavinger in trying to close it out, then it'll be Davis Schneider.
#Rays fail to add on after getting Palacios on and to 3B. Cleavinger on to try to close it out for #Rays - 3 of first 4 #BlueJays scheduled hitters in 9th are lefties
Jason Adam gets #Rays out of 8th with the 5-4 lead
Jason Adam on for #Rays in 8th with a 5-4 lead
Jonny DeLuca puts the Rays on top with a go-ahead home run in the 8th inning! https://t.co/GkxRzuZU4t
Jonny DeLuca gives the Rays the lead in the 8th! https://t.co/rxqUPfk4TH
Jonny DeLuca takes the first pitch from Pearson off the top of the wall and out. Two-run homer puts #Bluejays down 5-4 top8, nobody out. First blown save of the season for Big Nate, fifth overall for #Jays. Talk to me over on BlueSky, same handle.
#Rays Paredes singles to open 8th, extending his career-best on-base streak to 17 games, then DeLuca follows with a 2-run homer. #Rays up 5-4
E. Ramirez takes over for #Rays in 7th, down 4-3
Heading to 7th, #Rays trailing #BlueJays 4-3. Last 5 Rays games have been decided by 1 or 2 runs.
Caballero single gets #Rays within 4-3
#Rays with bases loaded and 2 outs in 6th after DeLuca works 8 pitch walk
Daulton Varsho drives in a pair to extend the lead for the Jays! 🔵 (📽️: @BlueJays) https://t.co/NFGeYaJRYT
The run-scoring single by George Springer in the 4th inning Saturday was his first RBI batting in the 6-hole in 10 years and 8 days since May 10, 2014, a homer vs. Miguel Gonzalez and the O's. He had 9 career starts batting sixth, all in 2014. #BlueJays #Rays
#Bluejays jump on Zach Eflin in bot5 - Kiermaier 1B, Schneider 1B, Varsho 2-run 2B,Vladdy RBI 1B in the space of just six pitches. It's 4-0. One out, since Vlad got thrown out at second trying to stretch.
#BlueJays rallying, #Rays Siri just made an extremely off target throw to 3B, and and Varsho follows with a 2-run double. 3-0 lead now.
#Bluejays put on a defensive clinic in top5. Gausman picks Caballero off second base, Varsho makes a great sliding grab on Jackson's sinking liner and an outstanding play on both ends by Bichette and Vladdy on Siri's grounder into the 5-6 hole. 1-0 #Jays to bot5.
Out of the sixth spot, George Springer smacks a two-out RBI single up the middle to open the scoring. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who had doubled and gone to third with some daring (?) base running, claps his hands as he crosses the plate. 1-0 #Bluejays bot4.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s leadoff double leads to the first run of the game on a George Springer single. #BlueJays up, 1-0. https://t.co/gYIrVGx4fk
The Blue Jays are in some trouble. No team's playoff odds have dropped more since opening day. •Ross Atkins spoke of turning it around, even adding •trade possibilities mentioned, or prospect promotions •what would (& wouldn't) happen if Jays do sell https://t.co/ia9P0Ogku6
The morning after the 24th loss of the Blue Jays' season, Ross Atkins stood on the field at Rogers Centre and fielded questions about what's next. @bnicholsonsmith tell us what his answers mean. https://t.co/Ul9HSIQWD7
#Rays and #BlueJays 0-0 heading to 4th
The first batter of games for the #BlueJays had been 1-for-19 since April 23 prior to Davis Schneider's leadoff double Saturday vs. the #Rays. Schneider was stranded at 3rd so the Jays have scored first inning runs in just 2 of the last 20 games.
Davis Schneider double. ✅ Watch the Blue Jays vs. Rays on Sportsnet and stream on Sportsnet+. https://t.co/xaMTuIMozb
In his first game as #Bluejays leadoff hitter with George Springer also in the lineup, Davis Schneider takes Zach Eflin's second pitch of the game and short-hops the wall in right-centre for a double.
General manager Ross Atkins preaches patience as Toronto Blue Jays struggle https://t.co/4CgPA2DS8i
Are you betting on any specials for Game 2 of the Rays-Blue Jays series today? 🤔 https://t.co/69nzzJqJXg https://t.co/vh6HpLIdZ7
The Toronto Blue Jays' offense is lost at sea, and so is veteran Justin Turner. Find out why @Covers_josh is fading him and the rest of the Jays' offense vs. Zach Eflin and the Tampa Bay Rays today. https://t.co/biDXl3ocxg
For the first time this season, George Springer is starting but not leading off. Davis Schneider gets the top spot, as we’ve been beating the drum for for a while. The badly-struggling Turner and Springer are back-to-back hitting 5th & 6th. #Bluejays https://t.co/SEmsue9ucF
Ross Atkins didn't say anything today that will satisfy the fanbase. He preached urgency with the lineup (duh) but doesn't have any answers as to how the team will start scoring more runs. He's just keeping his fingers crossed. Time is running out. #BlueJays
Davis Schneider leads off Saturday for Blue Jays https://t.co/cvON6GZ8yJ
Davis Schneider up at leadoff, George Springer down to sixth behind Kevin Gausman as Blue Jays take on Zach Eflin and the Rays … https://t.co/gDSCfUVp9i
Another new-look #BlueJays lineup with Davis Schneider back in the leadoff spot: https://t.co/ZG0P3QevZu
The Toronto Blue Jays' Danny Jansen broke up a perfect game bid by the Tampa Bay Rays' Tyler Alexander when he blooped an opposite-field single with one out in the eighth inning on Friday night. https://t.co/ROwhdWDP78
For a team that spent the off-season trying to address the offensive shortcomings of 2023 that were deemed to be an outlier, the Blue Jays' offence is in a bad place at the quarter mark. And unfortunately, the stats say it's not a simple fix. (@ShiDavidi) https://t.co/67wKIWCyVo
Late rally comes up short as hit-deficient Blue Jays lose series opener to Rays https://t.co/dYFjYQ3Bkc https://t.co/Qtf6WMaA74
Tampa Bay pitcher Tyler Alexander stellar in 4-3 win over Toronto Blue Jays https://t.co/Rm36Q2hBO7
The Jays rally late, but fall to Tampa Bay. 👀 https://t.co/m5GhNiQYnm
#BlueJays lose, 4-3. They are 19-24 and didn't reach base until the 8th inning. We'll speak with Ross Atkins at 10:45am tomorrow.
#BlueJays drop the opener to the #Rays 4-3. Sportsnet’s coverage returns tomorrow.
And that's your ballgame, #Rays beat #BlueJays 4-3
That was a big, necessary inning from the #BlueJays. They broke up the perfect game and scored three... but the rally ended with George Springer grounding into an inning-ending double play. Springer is now batting .196
RBI single by Biggio and #BlueJays now within 4-3 of #Rays. Paredes then makes diving stop for inning ending double play
Manuel Rodriguez takes over for #Rays, whose lead is down to 4-2, and #BlueJays have a runner on 1B with 1 out
Not dead yet. Davis Schneider, who is one of the most important players on this team right now, goes deep and it's suddenly 4-2. #BlueJays https://t.co/xwwW2t4t2R
DAVIS SCHNEIDER GOES YARD! ☄️ (🎥: @BlueJays) https://t.co/3yPLf59lu8
Not dead yet. David Schneider, who is one of the most important players on this team right now, goes deep and it's suddenly 4-2. #BlueJays https://t.co/mFpUq8pTso
Davis Schneider with a 2R-HR(5) cuts the lead in half. 4-2 #Rays
And now a 2-run homer by #BlueJays Schneider
Through 7.1 innings, #Rays LH Tyler Alexander retired all 22 #BlueJays batters he has faced. It certainly did not have the feel of any no-hitter or perfect game that I have attended. Then a Danny Jansen bloop single mercifully ends the bid.
The perfect game bid is over. Danny Jansen just dropped in a single. It was only hit 68.3 mph, but hell, it counts. The #BlueJays have a man standing on base for the first time.
21 up, 21 down. The Jays haven't had a baserunner through 7 innings against Tyler Alexander and the Rays. 👀 https://t.co/VOhPuiMd6a
#Rays extend lead over #BlueJays to 4-0 in 7th, and there's been some booing here in Toronto
Six innings in... and the #BlueJays have not reached base against Tyler Alexander, who has only thrown 70 pitches. They just can't let this happen right now. Not with how this season is going.
2-run homer by #Rays Palacios extends lead to 3-0
The #BlueJays are now hitless through five innings against Tyler Alexander. Chris Bassitt trudges back to the mound to keep this thing afloat.
Chris Bassitt takes the mound for the Blue Jays. 🔸Coming off a start where he limited the red-hot Phillies to two runs on three hits over 6 1/3 innings. 🔸Historically great against Rays - limiting them to a .209 xBA and a .360 xSLG. Back the Jays in the F5 at @OLGproline https://t.co/sirnjHwqVV https://t.co/IPGRvXbbLZ
Rarely break out the Jays over bet, but Tyler Alexander pitching tonight and last time the Jays put up 5 in 5 on him including a couple bombs (looked it up to make sure it really happened) Jays over 2.5 runs in the first five innings +102 @Betano_Canada
Blue Jays behind Chris Bassitt vs Tyler Alexander and the Rays … https://t.co/qu9xWGj4YR
With Chris Bassitt taking the mound and some key Toronto bats starting to heat up, @Covers_Caley likes the Jays' chances of grabbing an early lead against the visiting Rays. See why ⤵️ https://t.co/yPtNOUZdTW
#Bluejays shake up the lineup, moving the red-hot Bo Bichette back up to second and Daulton Varsho, who has cooled mightily since moving up, back down to seventh. George Springer is still leading off, though. https://t.co/2XsqfuHRyI
Failure to launch: What can Blue Jays do to fix the offense? 😫 https://t.co/J6rWKRmY43 (via @Travis_Sawchik) https://t.co/NAGv4uko2S
The Blue Jays begin their 3-game series at home vs. the Rays tonight. ⚾️ Who you got? 🤔 https://t.co/jka0SYkzwP
.@Covers_Caley has his eyes on the Blue Jays' stars as they host the Tampa Bay Rays this weekend ✨ @OLGproline https://t.co/Ih3V1sgk1c
E. Ramirez was confused but scrambling to get ready in the bullpen, Adam was hoping to get to stay on the mound, Cora was very mad, Cash was awaiting umps' ruling knowing #Rays had exceeded mound visit limit. But it all worked out with a win over #RedSox https://t.co/BFZXy3FpeB
Rays forced to change pitchers in 9th, beat Red Sox 7-5 https://t.co/KaCybYnkHC
#Rays’ Paredes showing a lot in compiling career-best on base streak; Alexander hoping for better in start vs. #BlueJays; notes on Palacios birthday, Baz rehab, Friday TV coverage, more https://t.co/l59YpQ1Hle
Erasmo Ramírez retired Romy González on a game-ending groundout with two on after the Rays were forced to remove Jason Adam because they lost track of mound visits, and Tampa Bay beat the Boston Red Sox 7-5 on Thursday night. https://t.co/Z6EX36aX6f
After the ninth inning of Thursday's loss was thrown into chaos, Alex Cora expressed frustration with how the Rays' mound visit situation was handled. The umpires offered their own explanation as well. https://t.co/bOpdvApdk7
#Rays hang on to win 7-5
Umps are checking with New York presumably as #Rays exceeded their number of mound visits and #RedSox Cora was quite adamant that Adam had to be taken out.
Two outs in 9th for #Rays Adam
The Rays break the tie in the 9th! https://t.co/YJNqz68gIk
Sac fly by Palacios scores Aranda, and it's 7-5 #Rays now
Paredes singles high off the Green Monster, #Rays retake lead at 6-5 over #RedSox
One out walk in 9th for Arozarena, #Rays and #RedSox tied 5-5
Cleavinger gets #Rays through 7th, still tied with #RedSox 5-5