SerpApi.Org
The Toronto Blue Jays were hoping to bounce back after being shut out by the Chicago White Sox on Sunday, but their struggles continued Monday night with a 7-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. The defeat dropped Toronto to 46-54, marking the first time this season the Blue Jays have fallen eight games below .500 as they opened a crucial four-game series against a division rival.
Toronto again struggled to generate timely offense. It was another forgettable outing for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who went 0-for-4. George Springer finished 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in his return, while Ernie Clement and Nathan Lukes each collected two hits.
Alejandro Kirk added a hit and an RBI, but the Blue Jays managed just one run as Dylan Cease surrendered five runs, three earned, over six innings.
The club has now lost three of its last four games since the All-Star break and continues to seek the consistency that has eluded it throughout the season.
After the game, manager John Schneider told reporters where his frustration lies.
“You guys probably want me to get pissed off or the fans want me to get pissed off, and if they were going after this in a way they shouldn’t, then I’d be pissed off. But you can’t be” (h/t Keegan Matheson of MLB.com).
Toronto entered the second half of the season believing it could still climb back into the American League wild card race, but the margin for error continues to shrink with every loss.
The Blue Jays will try to even the series on Tuesday, when Kevin Gausman is scheduled to face Drew Rasmussen. First pitch is set for 7:07 p.m. ET at Rogers Centre.
