Blue Jays’ wild-card run back on track with double-up of Rays

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Pardon the interruption.

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We now take you again to the Blue Jays’ September to recollect.

A day after being shut out by these identical Tampa Bay Rays, the Blue Jays bought proper again within the groove, placing up these crooked numbers within the linescore that had turn into so commonplace via the present month on their method to a 6-3 win on Wednesday afternoon over the division-leading Rays.

The Jays have been led by shortstop Bo Bichette, who drove in 5 of the six Jays runs on the afternoon together with his three-run homer, his twenty fifth of the marketing campaign, within the first inning that bought it began.

Bichette additionally had a sacrifice fly within the third to attain Marcus Semien from second and an RBI single within the fifth, scoring George Springer from third.

The return-to-glory theme really works on a couple of fronts. The offence discovered its footing however so too did Jays’ Cy Younger hopeful Robbie Ray.

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Ray bought again to his double-digit strikeout methods and the win column courtesy of that nasty splitter, giving the Jays seven sturdy innings of one-run ball. He additionally struck out 14, the fifth time up to now six begins he has had 10 or extra in a sport.

Rays picked up his twelfth win of the season and third up to now 4 begins. The lone blemish on his afternoon was a lead-off residence run within the fifth by catcher Mike Zunino that travelled as excessive because it did far, barely scraping the bottom of the left-field fence and avoiding the glove of a leaping Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

In Ray’s final begin, he didn’t make it out of the fifth because the opposing Orioles have been by some means capable of lay off his devastating slider, one thing the Rays have been unable to do on Wednesday.

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With the most recent win, the Jays at worst keep their three-way tie for the wild card.

The Jays will now take pleasure in a day without work earlier than persevering with their wild-card hunt on Friday when the Twins come to city.

JUST A SCARE

Seems that the ache in Jose Berrios’ facet was nothing greater than just a little discomfort.

Berrios, who pitched seven sturdy innings in Tuesday’s 2-0 loss to Tampa, induced just a little tremor of panic when he talked about some belly ache on the finish of the seventh inning Monday night time.

Supervisor Charlie Montoyo didn’t have to listen to extra and shut down the Jays prized commerce deadline acquisition instantly.

A day later, Berrios was a lot improved and feeling assured about his subsequent task.

“Sure, I’ll,” Berrios stated when requested if he would make his subsequent begin. “I’ll.”

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Berrios stated he seen the discomfort in regards to the fourth or fifth inning however when he didn’t really feel it in his pitching movement determined to not point out it.

Seems, coach Jose Ministral already had.

“He noticed me proper after the second inning reaching for that space,” Berrios stated.

Berrios felt one thing in his again following a begin however Monday night time the discomfort was extra ahead.

Previous to Wednesday’s matinee, Berrios stated it felt like a standard day after a begin with no actual discomfort.

HONOURING A LEGEND

Sept 15. will without end be Roberto Clemente day in Main League Baseball, honouring the Pittsburgh Pirates and Puerto Rican legend whose life was minimize quick when he died in a aircraft crash on New 12 months’s Eve 1972 whereas trying to ship provides to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

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Clemente’s acquainted No. 21 was worn all through Main League parks a 12 months after the Pittsburgh Pirates first made the choice to honour the Corridor of Famer and 15-time all-star a 12 months earlier.

Jays supervisor Charlie Montoyo remembers as a baby making the two-hour drive to participate in a Clemente clinic in San Juan. The clinic wound up being rained out however a younger Montoyo was capable of see Clemente in particular person and it was memorable.

“I used to be in awe as a result of he was our hero,” Montoyo stated pre-game. “Each Puerto Rican works to place 21 on his again. We’re so pleased with him and we need to … I need to observe in his footsteps.”

Berrios is one other proud Puerto Rican on the Jays.

“As we speak means lots, (not simply) for all Puerto Ricans however all Latin guys,” Berrios stated. “Enjoying this lovely sport and having an opportunity to place 21 in your jersey appears like you’re Roberto Clemente, that you’ve his spirit in your self. So I’ll take pleasure in today and be grateful, all the time grateful, for him for the whole lot he has completed for us.”

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SOME CONFUSION

Initially, solely earlier Roberto Clemente award winners, Clemente nominees for the present 12 months, on-field gamers and coaches of Puerto Rican descent and the Pirates gamers and workers the place Clemente performed have been tabbed to put on the No. 21 jerseys honouring the good Clemente.

Some confusion although courtesy of an inaccurate ESPN story opened the door just a little wider when it prompt any gamers who requested to put on the Clemente quantity can be allowed so long as the request was made in good time.

Vlad Guerrero Jr. respectfully made his request and that was why he was carrying the No. 21 uniform on Wednesday. Additionally carrying 21 for the Jays on today have been Bichette, the workforce’s Clemente nominee, in addition to George Springer, whose mother is of Puerto Rican descent.

Berrios, Montoyo and third base coach Luis Rivera, all Puerto Ricans, have been additionally carrying the 21.

mganter@postmedia.com