Yandy Diaz hit a three-run homer in the second inning to lead the Tampa Bay Rays to an 11-0 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday afternoon.
Rene Pinto hit a productive single to push the Rays’ four runs in the second.
Isaac Paredes added a solo homer, his 19th of the season, in the seventh inning, and scored another run in the ninth.
Shane McClanahan (12-5) allowed only three hits and struck out five in five innings. JT Chargois, Jason Adam, Javy Guerra and Kevin Hergett completed the shutouts for the Rays (80–63).
In this blowout for the Blue Jays (81–63), Bo Bechette had two hits, including a double, and stole a goal.
Kevin Gausman (12-10) allowed five runs and six hits in seven innings of work. He had seven strikeouts and allowed only one walk.
Zach Popp, Trevor Richards and David Phelps were employed in relief for the Blue Jays. Richards allowed five runs in two-thirds of an inning, and Phelps allowed one more run in one-third of an inning.
“We’re evaluating it,” said Schneider. It didn’t actually go as planned at the end of the game. We’ll look at some options and we’ll know more on Friday. ,
Although the Blue Jays have won three of five games in the series, Thursday’s loss cut the Toronto team’s lead over the Rays at the top of the AHL draft standings to half a game.
“I couldn’t close the door, but I think we’re playing really good baseball right now,” Gausman said. Ranking, we don’t really talk about it. Mindset is first and foremost the key to playing good baseball. ,
The Seattle Mariners currently hold the other playoff spot.
Beginning Friday, the Blue Jays will host the Baltimore Orioles in a three-game series. The Orioles are chasing the Blue Jays, Rays and Mariners for one of three spots reserved for draft teams.
Pinto drove in the game’s first run when his single to center field allowed David Peralta to reach home plate and Paredes to reach third base.
The Blue Jays called for a video verification because they believed that Parade should have been called out after he lost his balance on the pads when third baseman Matt Chapman hit him with a ball in his glove.
The referee reviewed the footage and determined that Paredes had put his foot on the cushion.
Two batters later, Diaz hit his ninth homer of the season to left field, driving Paredes and Pinto home and giving the Rays a comfortable 4–0 lead.
Gausman pulled himself together and struck out 12 of the next 13 batters. However, he gave up a homer in the seventh inning to leadoff batter Paredes.
The Rays struck with six runs in the ninth inning, including three on a Manuel Margot double.
Prior to the meeting, Bo Bechette was honored with his nomination for the Roberto-Clemente Trophy, for which he is the representative of the Blue Jays.
The purpose of the honor is to recognize the player who “best exemplifies what baseball is all about, sportsmanship, community involvement and the player’s contribution to his team.”