The Toronto Blue Jays dropped their fifth straight game to the Tampa Bay Rays, falling 7-6 in extra innings on Tuesday night at Rogers Centre. The loss extended Toronto's losing streak to five games, all against the AL East-leading Rays, who are now poised for a second series sweep.
The Blue Jays entered the game with high hopes, but their struggles at the plate continued. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who signed a record-breaking $500 million, 14-year contract in the offseason, has been in a power slump. His last extra-base hit came on April 28, and his last home run was on April 20. In Tuesday's game, Guerrero struck out in his first at-bat, dropping his average below .300. He later lined out and grounded out, but did drive in a run with a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning.
Guerrero's struggles continue
Blue Jays manager John Schneider noted that Guerrero is trying to carry the team, but that mindset may be making things more difficult. Despite the pressure, Guerrero is expected to produce given his massive contract. Fans at Rogers Centre chanted his name in the seventh inning when he came to the plate with two outs and the tying run on second. He hit a grounder that went off the glove of third baseman Junior Caminero, allowing the tying run to score. Caminero was charged with an error.
Patrick Corbin's rough outing
Starter Patrick Corbin, who signed a one-year, $1 million deal and had been a pleasant surprise for the Jays, struggled early. He allowed three runs in the first inning, all with two outs, and gave up seven hits through three innings. The Rays scored three runs off Corbin on softly hit balls, but his stuff was not fooling Tampa Bay hitters.
Lineup inefficiency
The Blue Jays' lineup continued to struggle, with two players batting below .200 and three below .250 entering the game. Through six innings, Toronto managed just two hits. However, the team rallied in the seventh inning, scoring five runs on four hits, including a two-run pinch-hit double by Yohendrick Pinango. Five consecutive runners reached base with two outs.
Hoffman gives up homer
Reliever Jeff Hoffman, who has been used primarily in the seventh inning, gave up a leadoff home run to Ryan Vilade. It was the third homer Hoffman has allowed this season, and the first since giving up a grand slam to Corbin Carroll in Phoenix.
The game went to extra innings, where Tampa Bay scored twice in the 10th. The Jays managed one run in the bottom half on Guerrero's sacrifice fly, but it was not enough. The Rays need a win on Wednesday to complete their second series sweep of Toronto this season.
Up next, the Blue Jays will send right-hander Dylan Cease to the mound for his ninth start of the season in Wednesday's series finale. Cease's starts have become must-see events, and the team will look to avoid a sixth straight loss.
