Cecil, for all his issues this year, allowed one hit to Logan Morrison (which did not score a run) before striking out Nick Franklin and Dickerson and then exited the game being replaced by Joe Biagini who got the final out of the inning to limit the damage.
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“I think the game turned at that point”. Led by a strong showing from Chris Archer, the Rays led this game into the sixth inning before the bullpen collapsed, ending a chance at a sweep against a first-place Toronto club.
Martin hit his 17th homer – he has gone deep nine times and driven in 24 runs over his last 18 games. Toronto’s offense has taken three losses in the last five games, averaging just 4.2 runs per game behind some solid starts from the rotation.
“If he’s seeing the ball good, which I thought he was, I gave the approval for him to take a whack at it”, said bench coach DeMarlo Hale, who filled in for Gibbons. He walked two while striking out six in the outing. His second strikeout, coming against Evan Longoria, was the 1,000th of his career. “I was just out there wanting to get outs”. The 33-year-old Northwestern product held Tampa Bay to four hits over six scoreless innings to win on August 10 and is 3-3 lifetime with a 4.87 ERA in 13 games (12 starts) versus the Rays.
“That was huge that the bullpen was able to keep us in the game”, said Happ.
2B Devon Travis, who tied the Sunday game in the seventh inning with a two-run single, leads Toronto in hits since the All-Star game.
Both lineups face tough pitchers on Saturday as the Rays throw rookie left-hander Blake Snell (4-7, 3.56 ERA) and the Jays answer with righty Marco Estrada (8-6, 3.37 ERA).
The loudest blow of the inning was a three-run double off the bat of Matt Duffy, one of five hits the Rays managed against Estrada in the inning. Then Archer allowed a single to Troy Tulowitzki and manager Kevin Cash called for Boxberger. After a walk to Brad Miller brought in a second run, Duffy cleared the bases with his double and get Estrada out of the game.
The Blue Jays will be going with lefty JA Happ on Sunday.
“When I started it was nearly like when I made my major league debut, ” Cobb said. He hasn’t allowed a run in 16 appearances and 15 1/3 innings since joining the Blue Jays.
“I give (the Rays) credit”, said Happ, who ended up with a no-decision, leaving his season record at 17-4. Baltimore has won nine of 12 in the season series, but is 3-3 at Tropicana Field.
METS 5, NATIONALS 1: Rookie Seth Lugo allowed one run and six hits over seven innings, and Curtis Granderson and Jay Bruce each hit a two-run homer as NY won at home. Rays catcher Bobby Wilson, left, looks on.
CUBS 3, GIANTS 2: Jason Heyward tied it with a single in the ninth inning, and his single to left-center in the 13th won it as Chicago won at home to take three of four games in a possible playoff preview.
Kevin Jepsen fared no better in the eighth, giving up a walk to Dioner Navarro and then a two-run homer to Russell Martin, his 17th, for a 5-3 lead.
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The Blue Jays are 5-2 in their last seven game threes of a series, and 7-0 in Happ’s last seven Sunday starts.
