The Tampa Bay Rays allowed a five-run bottom of the sixth inning to the Toronto Blue Jays, and saw their road losing streak reach ten consecutive games in dropping a 6-3 decision Saturday afternoon at Sahlen Field in Buffalo.
The first half of Saturday’s contest was a back-and-forth pitching duel between Ross Stripling and Shane McClanahan, with each starter making one mistake. McClanahan left a first-pitch fastball over the plate for George Springer leading off the second, and the center fielder crushed it for his fifth home run of the year. Stripling left a fastball on the inner half of the plate to Manuel Margot in the fourth for his ninth home run of the year to tie the game.
But things would turn in the sixth, as McClanahan allowed a one-out double to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and walked Springer, prompting manager Kevin Cash to get Matt Wisler from the bullpen. Teoscar Hernandez would load the bases with an infield single, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. grounded into a fielder’s choice, with Guerrero scoring as Joey Wendle‘s throw to the plate was wide for an error, breaking the tie. Cavan Biggio followed with a two-run single, and after Gurriel was picked off trying to steal third base for the second out of the inning, Santiago Espinal‘s two-run homer gave the Blue Jays a 6-1 lead.
Tampa Bay would trail by that score until the ninth, when Jordan Romano walked Randy Arozarena and Yandy Diaz to start the inning. Joey Wendle moved the runners up on a groundout, and Kevin Kiermaier singled both in two batters later.
Romano got Mike Brosseau to line out to end the game.
The Rays will look to salvage the finale of the series and the road trip Sunday afternoon, when Ryan Yarbrough (4-3, 4.48 ERA) takes on Robbie Ray (6-3, 3.43 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 1:07.