John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press
TORONTO — Yandy Diaz hit a three-run homer in the second inning to launch the Tampa Bay Rays to a convincing 11-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday afternoon.
Rene Pinto hit a productive single on the Rays’ four-run push in the second.
Isaac Paredes added a solo homer, his 19th of the season, in the seventh inning and scored another run in the ninth.
Shane McClanahan (12-5) allowed just three hits and struck out five in five innings. JT Chargois, Jason Adam, Javy Guerra and Kevin Herget completed the shutout for the Rays (80-63).
In this setback for the Blue Jays (81-63), Bo Bichette hit two hits, including a double, and stole a goal.
In seven innings of work, Kevin Gausman (12-10) gave up five runs and six hits. He had seven strikeouts and allowed only one walk.
Zach Pop, Trevor Richards and David Phelps were employed in relief for the Blue Jays. Richards gave up five runs in two-thirds of an inning and Phelps another in one-third of an inning. This duo totaled 47 shots, complicating manager John Schneider’s plans for Friday’s game in Toronto against Baltimore.
“We’re evaluating that,” Schneider said. It didn’t really go as planned at the end of the game. We’re going to look at a few options and we’ll find out more on Friday.”
Although the Blue Jays have won three of five games in the series, Thursday’s loss reduced the Toronto squad’s lead over the Rays to the top of the AHL draft standings to a half game.
“I couldn’t close the door, but I think we’re playing really good baseball right now,” Gausman said. The ranking, we don’t really talk about it. The mentality is first and foremost to play good baseball.”
The Seattle Mariners currently hold the other playoff spot.
Beginning Friday, the Blue Jays will host the Orioles in a three-game series. The Orioles are chasing the Blue Jays, Rays and Mariners for one of three spots reserved for draft teams.
Pinto drove in the first run of the game when his single to center field allowed David Peralta to cross home plate and Paredes to reach third base.
The Blue Jays called for a video verification because they believe Paredes should have been called out after he lost his balance on the pad when third baseman Matt Chapman hit him with the ball in his glove.
Referees reviewed the footage and determined that Paredes kept his foot on the cushion.
Two batters later, Diaz hit his ninth homer of the season far to left field, pushing Paredes and Pinto home and giving the Rays a comfortable 4-0 lead.
Gausman pulled himself together and struck out 12 of the next 13 batters. He did, however, give up a homer to Paredes, the leadoff batter in the seventh inning.
The Rays exploded with six runs in the ninth inning, including three on a Manuel Margot double.
Before the meeting, Bo Bichette was honored for his nomination for the Roberto-Clemente Trophy for which he is the representative of the Blue Jays.
This honor is intended to recognize the player who “best exemplifies what baseball is all about, sportsmanship, community involvement and the player’s contribution to his team.”
