The Tampa Bay Rays failed to sweep the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre on May 13, allowing a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the tenth inning. Toronto’s 5-3 win axed Tampa Bay’s hopes of a second sweep in as many series’ this season.
The loss however, was just the Rays third in its last 18 games, as the team remains atop the American League standings at 28-14.
Despite holding the second worst fielding percentage in Major League Baseball (.980), the Rays recorded four double plays and three in the first four innings. The team’s offense failed to capitalize, however. Tampa Bay was unable to get a batter on base until a single from third baseman Junior Caminero in the fourth inning.
The game was scoreless until the seventh when Rays second baseman Richie Palacios batted in first baseman Jonathan Aranda. A sacrifice fly from Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto sent outfielder George Springer home to tie it in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Tied 1-1 heading into an extra innings, the outcome looked to favor a Rays team which entered the game undefeated in games tied after the ninth. With Rays speedster Chandler Simpson being the ghost runner at second, it only took a single from second baseman Ben Williamson to send Simpson from second to home. Yandy Diaz batted in Williamson soon after, giving the Rays a 3-1 lead heading into the bottom of the tenth.
Toronto opened the half-inning with a foul out from outfielder Yohendrick Piñango, but Rays pitcher Aaaron Brooks then walked Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Okamoto. Both walks loaded the bases for Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho — who facing a 2-2 count — smashed a ball to deep left field to walk the game off and snap the Blue Jays five game losing streak.
The Rays return home on Friday, May 15 at 7 p.m. to host the in-state foe Miami Marlins for the first time this season.