Veteran RHP Kevin Gausman settles into his begin following two delays

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The Blue Jays have hit their option to the highest of the AL standings, getting back from deficits by developing large on the plate in late-game moments.

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Every on occasion, nonetheless, Toronto’s offence goes silent.

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And such was the case Wednesday night time because the Jays misplaced 2-1 within the third sport of a four-part collection towards the host Tampa Bay Rays.

Kevin Gausman wasn’t as stellar as he was in his pevious begin, however nobody was anticipating a second successive full sport shutout from the veteran right-hander.

He wasn’t dangerous, in any respect. In truth, any form of offensive assist would have put Gausman in line to earn the win.

The Jays managed to provide simply 4 hits, together with one for further bases, towards an inexperienced starter in Ian Seymour earlier than Tampa’s bullpen sealed the deal to snap a six-game Toronto win streak.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led off the ninth by hitting a pop-out on the primary pitch to cap off an 0-for-4 night time as his struggles in the course of the collection continued.

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The following are three takeaways on an evening the Jays would see their file drop to 89-63, Rays speedy outfielder Chandler Simpson rob Alejandro Kirk of a three-run homer within the fourth inning — it did rating Davis Schneider from third on a sacrifice fly for the lone Jays run of the sport — whereas producing three hits of his personal that included knocking within the successful run within the seventh inning.

Infield of goals

The composition of Wednesday’s beginning infield spoke to the form of depth the Jays have assembled and the choices obtainable to supervisor John Schneider, making it all of the extra intriguing what the workforce ultimately does when naming its post-season roster.

Ernie Clement began at shortstop after he dealt with the duties at second base on Tuesday, Davis Schneider was at second with Ty France at first base. At the recent nook was Isiah Kiner-Falefa.

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So a lot of the workforce’s defensive look when the post-season arrives will hinge on the well being of Bo Bichette, whose left knee harm will maintain him out of the lineup for the stability of the common season.

In a best-case state of affairs, Bichette returns to the lineup and serves as designated hitter.

Depending on the pitching matchup, the Jays can go in numerous instructions, together with having Addison Barger begin at third base.

Schneider has gone on file as saying baseball’s greatest infielder is Andres Gimenez, who was not in Wednesday’s beginning lineup after beginning predominantly at brief in Bichette’s absence.

Nothing left for probability

It’s no secret Barger has carried out his greatest hitting when dealing with right-handers. He does, in any case, bat left.

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But because the Jays inch ever so nearer to formally nailing down a post-season berth following final yr’s non-playoff marketing campaign, getting Barger as many at-bats in baseball’s second season is a should, even when dealing with left-handed pitchers.

On the identical day Barger hit his twentieth house run Saturday in a wild win over Baltimore, he was pinch-hit for by IKF when the Orioles went with a lefty reliever.

On Wednesday, the Rays began lefty Seymour, who has been used primarily out of the bullpen.

Seymour, who was making solely his fifth big-league begin, induced Barger into hitting an inning-ending double play within the second.

Gausman left in limbo

Bad sufficient the sport was delayed for roughly 25 minutes due to rain — which isn’t uncommon given the time of yr and the way 15 prior house video games in Tampa have been impacted by climate.

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Then got here a sudden abdomen sickness to house plate umpire Brian O’Nora, who needed to go away the sport.
It took longer for one more ump to don the gear than it did for the rain to clear.

Needless to say, Gausman wasn’t as sharp as he’d prefer to be when the sport lastly acquired below method. Simpson, main off, stroked an reverse area double — on an 0-2 depend, no much less — and scored when Yandy Diaz singled, additionally to proper.

Six pitches into the sport and Gausman had already given up a run. But that was it. He would give the Jays six innings, whereas hanging out six and surrendering six hits.

A skinny Toronto bullpen put added stress on Gausman to pitch as deep as potential.

Up subsequent

Mercifully, the Jays’ last sport at Steinbrenner Field exterior of the Grapefruit League might be staged Thursday within the collection finale (1:10 p.m. first pitch) … Chris Bassitt (11-8, 3.90 ERA) begins for the Jays towards Tampa’s Shane Baz (9-12, 5.15) … Hurricane Milton pressured the Rays to arrange store throughout the bay on the minor-league park … The Rays are within the strategy of being bought with a potential group eager on constructing a brand new venue for the membership which has made Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg its house for the reason that its inception in 1998.

fzicarelli@postmedia.com

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