Toronto Blue Jays beginning pitcher Chris Bassitt delivers to the Tampa Bay Rays through the first inning of a baseball recreation Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Credit score: AP/Chris O’Meara
Tampa Bay Rays’ Randy Arozarena goes airborne as he slides into second base with a double off Toronto Blue Jays beginning pitcher Chris Bassitt through the first inning of a baseball recreation Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Credit score: AP/Chris O’Meara
Tampa Bay Rays’ Randy Arozarena scores on an RBI single by Harold Ramirez off Toronto Blue Jays beginning pitcher Chris Bassitt through the first inning of a baseball recreation Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Credit score: AP/Chris O’Meara
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Chris Bassitt turned the American League’s second 15-game winner and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-2 on Friday night time in a matchup of groups holding the highest two American League wild-card positions.
Bassitt (15-8) allowed two runs and 6 hits whereas putting out eight in 6 2/3 innings. He tied Tampa Bay’s Zach Eflin for the AL lead in wins.
Jordan Romano changed Jordan Hicks with two on and two outs within the eighth and walked Isaac Paredes on 4 pitches earlier than retiring Curtis Mead on a grounder to protect a 4-2 lead. The appropriate-hander then labored the ninth to get his thirty sixth save in 39 probabilities.
Daulton Varsho hit a solo homer throughout a two-run ninth for the Blue Jays, who started play holding the second AL wild card by a half-game over Texas and Seattle. The Rangers hosted the Mariners on Friday night time.
The Rays, who’ve a cushty lead within the wild-card race and have already clinch a playoff berth, began the day 1 1/2 video games behind first-place Baltimore within the AL East. The Orioles, who personal the tiebreaker, had been at Cleveland on Friday night time.
Rays All-Star left fielder Randy Arozarena exited after the fourth inning with proper quadriceps tightness. He legged out a double within the first and scored the sport’s first run on Harold Ramírez’s RBI single.
Tampa Bay heart fielder Jose Siri missed his tenth straight recreation with a damaged proper hand. One other outfielder, Luke Raley, was positioned on the 10-day injured checklist earlier than the sport as a result of a cervical pressure.
Tampa Bay Rays’ Randy Arozarena goes airborne as he slides into second base with a double off Toronto Blue Jays beginning pitcher Chris Bassitt through the first inning of a baseball recreation Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Credit score: AP/Chris O’Meara
Rays starter Tyler Glasnow (9-7) had given up only one hit and a stroll till George Springer had a one-out single within the sixth.
After stealing second, Springer scored to tie it at 1 on Bo Bichette’s single that deflected off the glove of diving first baseman Yandy Díaz. Alejandro Kirk picked up an RBI to make it 2-1 on the third consecutive stroll by Glasnow, which ended his night time.
Kevin Kelly changed Glasnow and hit Matt Chapman with a pitch to pressure in a run, then allowed an RBI single to Varsho as Toronto took a 4-1 lead.
Mead received the Rays inside 4-2 on his first profession homer, a seventh-inning drive off Bassitt.
Tampa Bay Rays’ Randy Arozarena scores on an RBI single by Harold Ramirez off Toronto Blue Jays beginning pitcher Chris Bassitt through the first inning of a baseball recreation Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Credit score: AP/Chris O’Meara
Glasnow permitted 4 runs, three hits and 4 walks over 5 1/3 innings. He struck out seven.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Blue Jays: Vladimir Guerrero, slowed by knee discomfort, was the DH. He may begin at first base Saturday. … 1B Brandon Belt (lumbar backbone muscle spasms) is hitting off a pitching machine and might be nearing a return.
Rays: Aid pitcher Jason Adam left within the ninth with an harm. … 2B Brandon Lowe, who fouled a ball off his proper knee Thursday, was out of the lineup. … Raley acquired an injection within the nerve space.
UP NEXT
Blue Jays LHP Hyun Jin Ryu (3-3) and Rays RHP Zack Littell (3-6) are Saturday’s starters.
