(Toronto) Whit Merrifield gave the game a new twist with a two-run double in the seventh and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 7-2 on Tuesday, capping a doubleheader in style.
Updated at 0:01
The Rays won Game 1 4-2.
In the evening, pinch hitter Merrifield sent Colin Poche’s first shot (4-2) down the third base line, pushing Santiago Espinal and Bradley Zimmer home. That gave Toronto a 3-2 lead.
“It was an important moment in a big game, said the former Royals, acquired by trade on August 2. It feels good to contribute. »
George Springer followed up with a two-run homer, against Poche as well.
“It hurts,” admitted the 28-year-old left-hander. We had a good chance of getting two wins. It’s hard to swallow. »
In the next inning, the Blue Jays added a one-run double from Teoscar Hernandez and a sacrifice fly from Matt Chapman.
Anthony Bass (4-3) completed the seventh inning, after a strong outing from Alek Manoah (two runs and five hits in six and two-thirds innings).
Manoah was scheduled to pitch in the afternoon, but his start was delayed to the evening due to stomach aches.
“He’s shown again that he’s one of the best pitchers in baseball,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said.
Alejandro Kirk hit two of the game-winning eight hits.
At the Rays, Ji-Man Choi hit a 10e homer this year, while Jonathan Aranda hit his first major league long pitch.
In Game 1, Randy Arozarena drove in the first and third innings and the Rays had the last laugh, 4-2.
Arozarena hit in options to push Yandy Diaz to the plate.
In the third inning, Manuel Margot added a single to score Arozarena, then David Peralta hit a sacrifice fly.
Jeffrey Springs (8-4) blanked the Jays for six innings, striking out five batters, allowing just three hits.
Shawn Armstrong and Pete Fairbanks came in relief.
In the Jays’ eighth batting, Kirk drove in a run with an optional and Chapman got a run-off single.
Fly-half Julian Merryweather (0-3) gave up a run and two hits in one inning.
Mitch White then pitched for six innings, allowing three runs and seven hits.
In the trio of clubs on track to reach the playoffs without being section champions, the Blue Jays are second, just ahead of the Rays.
Wednesday night starting pitchers will be Drew Rasmussen (10-4) and Ross Stripling (7-4). The series against the Rays will wrap up Thursday, with the game starting at 3:07 p.m.
From Friday to Sunday, the visitors will be the Baltimore Orioles, who remain hopeful of catching the Jays, Rays or Seattle Mariners.
Toronto will play at Tropicana Field from September 22-25.