Game 1: The Rays saw their 8-game win streak snapped when their comeback fell short in a 6-5 loss to Toronto at Publix Park. Jon Soranno started and was not very good, allowing runs in each of the first 3 innings then 3 more in the 5th to finish 4.1 7 6 6 2 4 and drop to 1-2. Tony Rey kept them in it with 3 2/3 scoreless but the offense wasted numerous early chances, getting 11 baserunners in 5 innings against Toronto starter Dave Collins but only scoring twice. A 3-run 7th keyed by Danny Ayala's 3rd homer got them within one, but they couldn't get over the hump. Will Quintana was 2-3 with 2 RBI. The Jays are off to a hot start as well, and this win pulls them within one of the Rays, whom they've beaten in 3 of 5 so far this season.
Nate Thompson rehab update: 7 3 1 1 0 5 on 83 pitches at Durham in his 3rd start. I think he's ready to come back.
Game 2: A win could have brought the Blue Jays into a tie with the Rays atop the AL East, but they didn't even come close as the Rays annihilated them 12-0 tonight. Despite an offense which banged out 18 hits and drew 8 walks, we'll start with Kevin Kerstetter who was in vintage 2035 form going 7 5 0 0 0 8 to improve to 3-1, 2.59. Willie Bertone went the final two scoreless to combine for the shutout. As for the offense, well it's one of those nights where I'll let the box score do the talking:
Game 3: The Rays shut out the Jays again and this time it was a one-man affair as Ron Adams twirled a 2-hitter for his first MLB shutout in a 7-0 win. Adams set down the first 18 Blue Jays before giving up a leadoff double in the 7th, walking 1 and fanning 6. Adams has now gone 16 shutout innings in his last two starts, allowing only 4 hits, and is now 2-0, 2.17 for the season. Oddly he's only whiffed 20 in 29 IP this year despite fanning 268 over 204 IP the last two seasons. Omar Rodriguez got the offense going with a 2-run shot in the 1st (#7) before having to exit with a strained rib cage muscle in the 6th. It's considered a minimal injury but will nag him for about 10-11 days, so an IL stint is a possibility. Jon Jimenez (#3) and Daniel Vasquez (#5, to go with an RBI double) had solo shots in the 3rd and Jeff Hayes contributed a 2-run single.
Team record: 14-5, now 3 ahead of the Jays. Next up: We hit the road as a lengthy stretch of games in our division continues with 3 at Yankee Stadium.
