A throwing error by Toronto third baseman Matt Chapman opened the door for a three-run sixth inning by Tampa Bay, and five pitchers combined for a shutout as the Rays defeated the Blue Jays 3-0 on Sunday afternoon at St. Petersburg, Fla.
Tampa Bay starter Jeffrey Springs allowed four hits in 4 2/3 innings. Relievers Matt Wisler (2-1), J.P. Feyereisen, Colin Poche and Andrew Kittredge combined to allow only two Toronto players to reach base. Feyereisen walked a batter and Kittredge allowed a ninth-inning single.
Wisler picked up the win and Kittredge got the save as the Rays picked up their second win in the finale of a three-game series.
Tampa Bay’s big inning started when Brandon Lowe singled and Wander Franco ended an 0-for-18 slump with an opposite-field single.
Harold Ramirez followed with a chopper to Chapman. But the two-time Platinum Glove and three-time Gold Glove winner tried to force Franco out at second. His throw went wild into right field and Lowe scored the game’s first run.
Franco then scored on a wild pitch by Alek Manoah (4-1) and Ramirez scored the third run on an RBI single by Ji-Man Choi.
That outburst ended what had been a pitcher’s duel and put a rare blemish on Manoah’s history against Tampa Bay. As a rookie last season, Manoah was 3-1 with a 1.46 ERA against the Rays.
Manoah went six innings, allowing one earned run on five hits. He also struck out four in an 82-pitch outing.
Springs, making only his third start since being elevated into the rotation, gave the Rays a strong outing. He struck out two without walking a batter.
Tampa Bay was without its top offensive player. Manuel Margot, who has 14 RBIs in the month of May, was placed on the 10-day injured list prior to the game with a hamstring strain.
–Field Level Media
