The Toronto Blue Jays once again had all sorts of trouble scoring, botching a great outing by starter Kevin Gausman on Friday in St. Petersburg. They suffered a fifth straight loss, this time by a score of 5-2 at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays.
After seven innings, Gausman (3-1) had conceded only one earned run, two hits and one walk. Sent to the mound again in the eighth period, however, he gave a double to Mike Zunino, then singles to Taylor Walls and Manuel Margot before being called back to the bench without making a single out. The Rays scored three points.
Jason Adam meanwhile made the last three outs for the Rays to sign, at age 30, a first-ever career save on his fourth attempt. The victory went to Andrew Kittredge’s record (3-0).
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drove in a run in the loss, but he also robbed the Jays of a great opportunity to take the lead in the eighth. He hit a ground ball to third base with two runners on the trails that ended in a double play.
Springer injured?
George Springer was injured trying to catch a ball to center field late in the second inning. Giving up hard on the wall, he stayed in the game temporarily before leaving with an ankle injury. In relief, Raimel Tapia placed the ball twice in as many at bats, producing a point.
Game 2 of this three-game series is Saturday at 6 p.m.
Elsewhere in the major leagues
Brandon Drury drove in four runs, including two on his seventh home run of the campaign, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Pirates 8-2 in Pittsburgh.
The Houston Astros scored no less than five runs in the first inning against the Nationals and it was enough to win Washington 6-1.
Jace Peterson walked Anthony Bender as the bases were all occupied in the ninth round at bat in Miami and the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Marlins 2-1.
