In the next at-bat Desmond Jennings hit a single.
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Expectations are high for the Blue Jays this year, and they didn’t disappoint on opening day. First pitch will be thrown out at 4:05 p.m. The lefty is 1-0 with a 1.32 ERA in two starts against Toronto. Donaldson connected for a solo shot in the fifth inning, Saunders delivered a two-run homer in the fourth and Thole went deep on a third-inning drive that umpires initially ruled a double after a fan interfered by catching the ball before it reached the stands.
He is now 2-3 with a 3.64 ERA in seven career starts against Toronto, 1-1 with a 1.37 ERA in three at Tropicana Field. Saunders became the 11th Canadian player to hit a homer in a Blue Jays uniform. “That’s flat embarrassing. That cost us a chance to win a major league game”.
The only Rays yet to appear in a game this season are Tim Beckham, Xavier Cedeno and Erasmo Ramirez. Gibbons said Thole will work most of Dickey’s starts because it will help regular catcher Russell Martin physically avoid the stress of handling knuckleballs.
Rays: With the exception of losing closer Brad Boxberger for at least the opening month of the season following groin surgery, Tampa Bay emerged from spring training fairly healthy. Reigning AL MVP Josh Donaldson is there, joined by the slugging, contract-year duo of Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion. Several relievers, including Alex Colome, will get an opportunity to finish games while Boxberger is out.
While the Rays were happy to see the new rule aid in their efforts to get their first win of the season, the Blue Jays clubhouse was none too happy. He opted out of his contract and was released by Milwaukee last week.
Volquez and the Kansas City defense had things well in hand by that point. He had been told last week that he would not be on the opening day roster. Rays are 6-2 in their last 8 home games and the over is 13-5-2 in the last 20 games on Tuesdays. They called him out and Encarnacion was also ruled out, giving Tampa Bay a game-ending double play.
Never a true power hitter, Loney had just four home runs in 104 games with the Rays in 2015, down from nine in 155 games in 2014. “Like the way Archer competed after he got through that first inning, and just kind of seemed to turn it on there”. That’s their M.O. – good starting pitching, terrific bullpen and a pesky offense.
Odorizzi won his season debut the previous two years with scoreless starts. Stroman struck him out on three pitches, and the cameras caught him woofing at himself after the second one. He was the first do it since Bob Gibson fanned 12 for St. Louis against Montreal in 1975.
Additionally, he’s allowed just 35 walks and 10 home runs in 165-2/3 career innings.
Pittsburgh’s Francisco Liriano left Wainwright little margin for error.
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Tampa Bay had the tying run on base in the sixth and eighth innings, but Jesse Chavez struck out two batters to end the sixth and Drew Storen struck out pinch-hitter Hank Conger to end the eighth.
