Buoyed by another strong performance from gunner Alek Manoah, the Toronto Blue Jays regained the lead over the Tampa Bay Rays in the standings by beating their Florida rivals 3-1 on Saturday at Tropicana Field.
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Manoah (15-7) led John Schneider’s men to their goal by fooling the hosts’ batters for seven innings. He allowed just four hits and two free passes and had eight strikeouts.
By virtue of this gain, the Jays (85-67) granted themselves a one-game cushion on the Rays (84-68) and took first place among the teams drafted from the American.
Outfielder Whit Merrifield scored all of his points. On the seventh downing, he mocked reliever Brooks Raley’s offering by sending him out of bounds.
It’s an unfortunate result for Drew Rasmussen (10-7), who held Queen City hitters to three hits in six-and-a-third innings before passing the baton to Raley.
At the end of the duel, Harold Ramirez hit a productive single at the expense of Tim Mayza to reduce the gap to two points. Jordan Romano, however, was quick in the ninth inning to end hostilities and add a 35th save to his record.
The two teams will meet again on Sunday afternoon to conclude this series of four duels, decisive in the race for the playoffs.
Sandy Alcantara muzzles the Nationals
In Miami, Sandy Alcantara pitched for eight innings, making no less than 11 strikeouts as the Marlins beat the Washington Nationals 4-1.
Manager Don Mattingly decided to trust the 27-year-old gunner, even though he gave Joey Meneses a homer in the first inning. It was the only costly mistake for Alcantara (14-8), who allowed just three hits. On his eighth and final assault, he even fanned the three batters to come before him.
Quebecer Charles Leblanc was silent at bat in four appearances, but his teammates took over. JJ Bleday had quickly ensured the replica of the Marlins in the first inning with a two-run single. Bryan De La Cruz also helped with the scoring with his 11th long pitch of the year, while Miguel Rojas scored the final run on a double in the sixth inning.
Very good at the start of the season, Erick Fedde (6-11) suffered defeat on the side of the Nationals. He has only been involved in a winning decision once since June.