Tuesday, August 6: Game 115: Sixth inning fireworks and a wild pitch save the day.

Rays 7, Blue Jays 6  (10 innings)

Record:  66-49

Attendance:  9,434


The Blue Jays, off a two nothing shutout of the Rays on Monday, came out firing on Tuesday night.  The took a 6-0 lead after a three-run homer in the second by Brandon Drury; a solo blast from Cavan Biggio in the third; and two runs on 3B Matt Duffy's throwing error in the fourth.  But in the bottom of the fourth, the Rays banged out three two-run homers (Garcia, Adames, and Meadows) to tie the game, a vivid reminder of how easy this game is when the offense lights up the evening sky with long balls.  But it was their first runs in 12 innings against lowly Toronto pitching--a long scoreless stretch.

With the score tied at six, the Rays went into their usual funk for five more goose-egg innings.  Then in the bottom of the tenth, they loaded the bases with no outs, but Tommy Pham and Travis d'Arnaud both struck out.  Austin Meadows ran the count to 2 and 2, when Buddy Boshers, Toronto's fifth pitcher of the night, uncorked a wild pitch to score Kevin Kiermaier.  Not exactly an offensive statement, but enough to win the game.  The Blue Jays are giving the Rays all they can handle lately, and this series is no exception.

Rays' pitching started out weak with opener Andrew Kittredge giving up three runs in his two innings, and bulker Ryan Yarbrough giving up three more in his four and two-thirds.  Roe came in to finish up the seventh, and then Anderson, Pagan, and Castillo pitched three perfect innings each, Castillo getting the win (2-6).

Depending on heroics and wild pitches doesn't seem like the best strategy at this stage of the season.  They'll have to do better tomorrow in the rubber game of the series.