Rays' historic winning streak ends at 13 as Blue Jays hand Tampa Bay first loss of 2023

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For the first time this season, the Tampa Bay Rays have lost a game. They went down at the hands of the Toronto Blue Jays by the score of 6-3. 

This moves the Rays' record to 13-1, meaning they end up tied with the 1987 Brewers and 1982 Braves for the longest modern-day MLB winning streak to start the season. 

The Blue Jays didn't waste any time getting started in this one, as George Springer homered to lead off the bottom of the first. The lead was extended to 2-0 on a Bo Bichette RBI double in the second. The Rays got a run back in the fourth, but it was the bottom of the fifth when the Blue Jays took control of the game, though it was as much the Rays imploding as the Jays taking over. 

Singles from Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. started things off, though Vlad's knock could have been fielded by Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who just missed it. Daulton Varsho walked to load the bases before a Matt Chapman strikeout. The Rays then went to reliever Colin Poche and he walked in two runs. It was 4-1 Blue Jays then, and a grounder from Danny Jansen should've been an inning-ending double play, but Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe just missed the feed at second and the throw went into right field. That plated two more runs to make it 6-1. 

The Rays managed back-to-back homers from Josh Lowe and Christian Bethancourt, but that was it for the scoring. 

The Rays had gone 13-0 with relative ease, too. They had outscored their opponents 78-20 and 11 of their 13 wins came by at least four runs. 

The naysayers will point out the Rays hadn't played a tough schedule. The Nationals, Tigers and A's are in last place and were expected to be three of the worst teams in the league coming into the season. The Red Sox also sit in last, but they were 5-4 before visiting the Rays. 

Regardless, the schedule talk won't be quieted after this one. For the first time this season, the Rays faced a team everyone agrees is a legitimate contender and they lost their first game. 

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@RaysBaseball via Twitter
April 15, 2023, 1:45 AM
Apr. 14, 2023, 9:45 pm EDT
 
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The Streak is over

The Blue Jays have beaten the Rays, 6-3

April 15, 2023, 1:44 AM
Apr. 14, 2023, 9:44 pm EDT
 
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Nothing doing

The Rays strand one and their best-case scenario is heading to the ninth down three runs with the bottom three spots in the order coming up. 

April 15, 2023, 1:33 AM
Apr. 14, 2023, 9:33 pm EDT
 
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leadoff walk for Arozarena

This is interesting

April 15, 2023, 1:28 AM
Apr. 14, 2023, 9:28 pm EDT
 
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onto the 8th

Randy Arozarena and Wander Franco to start. In order for the Rays to come back and win this thing, they'll need these guys to hit twice and be productive, so it should probably start here. 

April 15, 2023, 1:24 AM
Apr. 14, 2023, 9:24 pm EDT
 
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Back-to-back

Christian Bethancourt with a homer and it's 6-3 Blue Jays with the top of the order for the Rays coming with one out in the seventh. We might have a ballgame here. 

April 15, 2023, 1:16 AM
Apr. 14, 2023, 9:16 pm EDT
 
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Rays get one back 

Josh Lowe with a homer to dead center. Kevin Kiermaier tried to rob it, but the ball was a little too well-struck. It is 6-2 Blue Jays. 

April 15, 2023, 1:13 AM
Apr. 14, 2023, 9:13 pm EDT
 
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Rays strand two

It seems like this is going to be it. 6-1 Blue Jays with three innings left. Of course, those might read like "famous last words." 

April 15, 2023, 1:03 AM
Apr. 14, 2023, 9:03 pm EDT
 
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Rays with a pair of singles

Arozarena and Franco. It's the sixth inning and yesterday they scored seven runs in the sixth. 

April 15, 2023, 12:56 AM
Apr. 14, 2023, 8:56 pm EDT
 
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UH OH, RAYS

After another walked-in run, making it 4-1, the Rays were gifted a tailor-made double play that should have ended the inning. Instead, Brandon Lowe at the turn at second just took his eyes off the ball and the throw went into right field. Two runs scored and everyone is safe. It's 6-1 Blue Jays with runners on the corners with one out. 

April 15, 2023, 12:46 AM
Apr. 14, 2023, 8:46 pm EDT
 
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3-1 Blue Jays

A bases loaded walk brings one home. They are still loaded for Espinal

April 15, 2023, 12:41 AM
Apr. 14, 2023, 8:41 pm EDT
 
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Jays in business in the bottom of the fifth

Bichette singles and Vlad sends a hard grounder to short that Wander Franco can't handle. It's 1st and 2nd with no out. Looks like they'll rule that Vlad ball a hit. 

April 15, 2023, 12:31 AM
Apr. 14, 2023, 8:31 pm EDT
 
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Rays on the board

Leadoff single by Brandon Lowe results in a run after he steals second, moves to third on a grounder and then scores on Luke Raley's single. 2-1 Jays. 

April 15, 2023, 12:06 AM
Apr. 14, 2023, 8:06 pm EDT
 
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through 3

2-0 Jays. Rays had a hit and flyout to the wall to end the third, but otherwise have been quiet. Then again, they were down 3-1 yesterday in the middle of the sixth. 

April 14, 2023, 11:59 PM
Apr. 14, 2023, 7:59 pm EDT
 
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Blue Jays rally again

After two outs to start the inning, Kevin Kiermaier singled, George Springer walked and Bo Bichette doubled. Only one run scored on the Bichette double as a fan grabbed it. The inning is over now, 2-0 Blue Jays, and that fan cost the Jays a run. 

April 14, 2023, 11:41 PM
Apr. 14, 2023, 7:41 pm EDT
 
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Double play to end the first

1-0 Blue Jays. Could have been so much worse. The damage was limited by the inning-ending double play. Rasmussen threw 25 pitches, which, again, considering how bad it could've gotten, wasn't nearly as bad as it looked it might be. 

April 14, 2023, 11:26 PM
Apr. 14, 2023, 7:26 pm EDT
 
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they're loaded

Chapman walks and the bases are loaded for Brandon Belt. Remember, the Rays' bullpen was taxed a bit this past week with two close games, Taj Bradley's debut and Jeffrey Springs' injury. 

April 14, 2023, 11:24 PM
Apr. 14, 2023, 7:24 pm EDT
 
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still threatening

Bo Bichette and Daulton Varsho singles bookend a Vlad Jr. strikeout, so it's 1st and 3rd with one out for Matt Chapman and he's been very hot to start the year.

April 14, 2023, 11:21 PM
Apr. 14, 2023, 7:21 pm EDT
 
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OH BOY

George Springer with a leadoff homer. It's 1-0 Blue Jays. That won't quiet the "Rays haven't played anyone" people. 

April 14, 2023, 11:14 PM
Apr. 14, 2023, 7:14 pm EDT
 
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Berríos

Jays starter José Berríos allowed the most hits and earned runs in the AL last season. He has an 11.17 ERA coming into this in 2023. He gets two quick outs here. 

April 14, 2023, 11:09 PM
Apr. 14, 2023, 7:09 pm EDT
 
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Hello!

Welcome to the Rays-Blue Jays live blog. I'll be running this thing tonight and will try to not annoy you too much, though no promises will be made on that front. Let's do this! 

April 14, 2023, 11:06 PM
Apr. 14, 2023, 7:06 pm EDT