The Blue Jays lost to the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night, something all too familiar to them on the road.
Perhaps the Toronto Blue Jays would have rathered the Tampa Bay Rays kept playing at Steinbrenner Field this season.
Why? Because Tropicana Field historically does the Blue Jays no favors, and that continued on Monday night as the Jays fell 5-1 in the opening game of a three-game series against their American League East rivals.
As noted by StatsCentre on social media:
#BlueJays worst all-time records at an opposition ballpark (min. of 50 visits):
.389- (Built 2009) Yankee Stadium #3 (NYY, 56-88)
.392- Progressive Field (CLE, 47-73)
.397- Tropicana Field (TB, 92-140 via tonight's 5-1 loss vs the Rays)
.400-Milwaukee County Stadium (MIL, 52-78)
While the Rays have generally found a way to remain somewhere between relevant and outstanding over the last 15 years or so, the first decade of the franchise's existence was marked by futility. Thus, it's surprising that Toronto wasn't able to accumulate more wins early - especially when baseball had the unbalanced schedule and there were 19 games a season against divisional opponents. The unbalanced schedule existed from 2001-22.
Eric Lauer took the loss for the Blue Jays on Monday, going 4.1 innings and surrendering three earned runs on five hits. Nick Martinez continued his excellent run for the Rays, getting the win after allowing just one run on five hits. He struck out four.
The Blue Jays had their chances, but went just 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left 10 men on base. Prospect Yohendrick Pinango, up because of all the injury issues, was the only Blue Jays player to register a multi-hit game, going 3-for-5.
Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Yohendrick Pinango (24) hits a one run single against the Boston Red Sox during the third inning at Rogers Centre. John E. Sokolowski-Imagn ImagesThe two teams will play again on Tuesday at 6:40 p.m. ET. It's a battle of aces as Kevin Gausman (2-2, 3.10 ERA) takes the mound against Drew Rasmussen (2-1, 2.64 ERA).
The series concludes on Wednesday.
Also in Blue Jays news
--Blue Jays play-by-play broadcaster Dan Shulman put out a nice message on social media regarding longtime New York Yankees broadcaster John Sterling, who died at the age of 87. There were tributes all around baseball on Monday, and Shulman's story on "X" was just one of many good messages.
Very sad to hear of the passing of John Sterling. A true original, the likes of which we will likely never see/hear again. He was always extremely kind and welcoming to me from the day we met, always greeting me with "Well, HELLO, Danny". He will be missed.
--Addison Barger should continue his rehab assignment with Single-A Dunedin on Tuesday. The hope is that he'll be able to fly back with the team on Wednesday and be activated for the next homestand.
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