A four-run surge in the sixth inning was beneficial for the Toronto Blue Jays as it gave them an important 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Friday. Check out the highlights in the video above.
This victory is crucial for John Schneider’s team in the race for the playoffs. They now hold a one-game lead over the Texas Rangers and are in second place among drafted American League teams.
It is also the sixth win in seven games for the team from Queen City.
The locals were the first to score when Harold Ramirez hit a single in the first inning that allowed Randy Arozarena to cross the plate.
The Jays scored their first run of the game in the sixth inning. Bo Bichette shot a dart toward Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz, who failed to catch the ball. George Springer then scored and equalized. Moments later, the Jays loaded the bases and Alejandro Kirk showed patience by scoring on a walk.
Additionally, the Torontonians showed opportunism as Matt Chapman was hit by a pitch from reliever Kevin Kelly, allowing the Jays to double their lead in the same inning. Daulton Varsho was also involved in that offensive push in the sixth inning. Varsho got his bat swinging again when he hit his 18th long ball of the season in the ninth inning.
Rays third baseman Curtis Mead will long remember the Sept. 22 game as he hit his first major league home run in the seventh inning.
Starting pitcher Chris Bassitt was a key factor in his team’s triumph, limiting the Rays to two runs in six innings and two-thirds innings on the mound. Relievers Jordan Hicks and Jordan Romano did the rest of the work.