Blue Jays Beat Rays On Opening Day

Ryu Ready?

Hyun-Jin Ryu went 4-2/3 innings, giving up 4 hits, 3 walks and 3 ER, while striking out four. Ryu cruised through the beginning of the game, but hit a wall in the fourth inning. After hitting Manuel Margot, Ryu gave up a double to Mike Brosseau, allowing Margot to score.

In the 5th, Ryu got two quick outs before losing the zone, leading to a home run by Yoshitimo Tsutsugo. Finally, Ryu was pulled after throwing 97 pitches.

Biggi-Bomb

Cavan Biggio went 2-5 with a three-run home run in the 5th. After back to back singles by Danny Jansen and Bo Bichette, Biggio crushed a 355 ft. bomb. Unfortunately, Biggio also struck out 3 times.

Guerrero Jr.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went 1-5 with two strikeouts. Guerrero lifted the ball to center field in his first at bat, afterwards, howeverm he would only chop the ball on the ground. This has been something Guerrero has had a problem with, as his launch angle has been low since his journey to the big leagues. Once Guerrero Jr. begins to get some lift, more and more balls will start finding gaps.

Romano Looking Good

First out of the pen was Jordan Romano. Romano walked two and struck out two without surrendering a hit or a run. Erratic, Romano will need to get his walks under control. However, coming in with a runner on second and the momentum beginning to shift, he showed why he belongs in the pen.

Other Notables

Randal Grichuk went 1-4 with an RBI single in the 4th. Teoscar Hernandez went 1-3 with a double and Derek Fisher went 1-3 with a walk. Ken Giles walked one while striking out a pair for the save.

Rafael Dolis, making his first MLB appearance since 2013, walked two, and gave up a hit and a run in his inning of work. After receiving praise by pitching coach Pete Walker, Dolis was anything but impressive. While his fastball had good movement, he started off his first three batters with a ball. He will need to have better command if he wants the set-up position to Ken Giles.

Kneeling

Before the game, both teams knelt before the National Anthem in solidarity. During the National Anthem, Anthony Alford, Biggio, Guerrero Jr and Santiago Espinal kneeled. On their jerseys, the Jays wore three patches. The first patch called for unity in these times, the second in support of Black Lives Matter, and the third in honor of Tony Fernandez.

Late Pickup

The Blue Jays have made an addition to their coaching staff. Dante Bichette will join the team in the dugout, offering his wisdom to the young team.

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