Blue Jays defeated 6-4 by Rays

(St. Petersburg) Jose Siri, Randy Arozaena and Luke Raley all featured as the major league leaders Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-4 on Monday night.

The Rays (35-14) lead the majors with 94 home runs.

“We have a team that can run, defend and hit,” said Siri. Regardless of the pitcher ahead, we are confident in our hitting ability. »

After Trevor Kelley pitched two runless innings, Josh Fleming (1-0) gave up two runs and five hits in six innings of work, helping the Rays improve to 22-4 at home.

“It’s not a lack of effort,” said Blue Jays manager John Schneider. These guys want and fight. If you look at the ninth inning, there were no retirements. That’s what gives you a lot of confidence for the future. »

The Blue Jays’ Chris Bassitt (5–3) pitched 28 straight innings without a run before the Rays scored three times in the second inning. He allowed six runs, two earned, and seven hits in six and a half innings.

“We capitalize on small mistakes made by other teams,” explained Siri.

Whit Merrifield and Daulton Varsho hit long balls for the Blue Jays (25-23), who have lost seven of their last eight games and are nine and a half games behind the Rays.

Bassitt’s streak is the second longest in club history, behind Roger Clemens’ 33-inning streak in 1998. Dave Steib had a 34-innings streak in 1988-89.

The Blue Jays had recalled Quebecer Otto Lopez from their AAA school club in Buffalo.

Lopez had already played a few games with the Jays, hitting six singles in nine hits, as well as driving in three runs.

Lopez’s recall was necessary after Santiago Espinal was placed on the 10-day injured list with a sore right hamstring.