TAMPA BAY RAYS NOTES:
NOTHING LASTS FOREVER — The Rays suffered their first loss of the season on Friday night in Toronto, falling by a 6-3 final…trailing 3-0 in the fourth inning, LF Luke Raley (1-for-4, RBI) got Tampa Bay on the board with a run-scoring single, but Toronto responded with four runs in the fifth…RF Josh Lowe (1-for-4, HR, RBI, R) and C Christian Bethancourt (2-for-4, HR, RBI, R) rounded out the scoring for the Rays with back-to-back solo homers in the seventh.
RHP Drew Rasmussen (4.1IP, 8H, 5ER, 4BB, 4SO) took his first loss of the season after allowing a career-high-tying five earned runs (also 5/30/22 at TEX)…after being recalled from Triple-A Durham prior to the game, RHP Yonny Chirinos (3.2IP, 2H, BB, 2SO) did not permit a run in his season debut.
A LOOK BACK — Prior to last night’s loss, the Rays became the fourth team in MLB history to begin a season 13-0, joining the 1987 Milwaukee Brewers (13-0), 1982 Atlanta Braves (13-0) and 1884 St. Louis Maroons (20-0)…marked the longest win streak in club history, surpassing a 12-game run from 6/9-22, 2004.
The Rays won each of their first nine games by 4+ runs, the second-longest streak to open a season in MLB history behind the 1884 Maroons (13 straight)… ties the fourth-longest overall streak of 4+ run wins in MLB history and marks the longest since the 1939 New York Yankees (10G, 8/20-28, 1939).
Tampa Bay pitching strung together a 32.0 scoreless inning streak from 4/8-11, the longest streak in club history and longest single-season streak in MLB since St. Louis from 8/5-9, 2015 (38.0IP)…the streak included a franchise-record three consecutive shutouts (4/8-10) — Tampa Bay became the first club to record three straight shutouts within a single season since Cleveland in 2017 (8/25-27, 2017).
The Rays turned in back-to-back 11-0 wins over Oakland, 4/8-9, becoming the fourth team in MLB history to record consecutive shutout wins, both by 11+ runs, joining Baltimore in 2019 (6/28-29, 2019), Detroit in 1936 (9/22/36) and the 1885 New York Giants (3G, 5/25/28, 1885).
Through their first 11 games of the season, the Rays had hit 29 homers and allowed only 20 runs…per Elias, that marked the highest difference between home runs hit and runs allowed at any point in a season in MLB history.
BOMBS AWAY — Tampa Bay has hit 34 home runs, tied for most through a team’s first 14 games of a season in MLB history, joining the 2019 Seattle Mariners and 2000 St. Louis Cardinals…the Rays would need two homers today to match the record for most homers through 15 games (36), also set by the 2019 Mariners and 2000 Cardinals.
Tampa Bay has homered in each of its first 14 games, tied with Cleveland in 2002 for the longest streak to open a season in MLB history…only Seattle (20G in 2019) has a longer such streak.
BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL — The Rays lead MLB in both runs scored (104) and fewest runs allowed (36)…the last team to score at least 104 runs and allow 36-or-fewer runs over a 14-game span at any point in a single season was the Rays in 2010 (105-35, 4/10-29, 2010)…five of the last six clubs to accomplish the feat went on to win the World Series.
Tampa Bay’s +68 run differential is the best mark through 14 games in MLB’s Modern Era (since 1900), ahead of the 1905 New York Giants (+64)…the Giants currently hold the record through 15 games (+69).
Tampa Bay’s 104 runs scored are its most through 14 games in club history, ahead of the 2006 Rays (77R)…the last club to score more runs through 14 games was Seattle in 2019 (110R).
The Rays’ 36 runs allowed are second-fewest through 14 games in club history, behind the 2019 team (33R).
PITCHING PROWESS — Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has produced an MLB-leading 2.45 ERA, including the second-best starter ERA (2.65) behind Minnesota (2.45) and second-best bullpen ERA (2.18) behind Milwaukee (1.74)…Rays pitchers rank among MLB leaders in opponents’ OPS (1st, .555), FIP (1st, 3.14), first-pitch strike pct. (1st, 65.9%), opponents’ average (2nd, .197), WHIP (2nd, 1.02), fewest pitches per IP (2nd, 14.9), highest strikeout rate (4th, 25.9%) and lowest walk rate (6th, 7.7%).
Tampa Bay has allowed just seven home runs across 125.0 innings, good for an MLB-best 0.50 HR/9.0IP…marks the fewest homers allowed through 14 games in franchise history, ahead of the 2014 and 2019 Rays (10HR each).
NORTH OF THE BORDER—The Rays and Blue Jays play the second contest of a 13-game season series this afternoon in Toronto…Tampa Bay went 10-9 against Toronto in 2022, outscoring the Blue Jays, 82-73 (+9)…the clubs split their 10 meetings at Rogers Centre last season despite the Rays posting a +7 (47-40) run differential in those games.
The Rays have dropped three straight to the Blue Jays (9/24/22-pres.), their first three-game losing streak to Toronto since 9/28/19-7/24/20…Tampa Bay last dropped four consecutive games to Toronto from 7/19-10/2, 2015 (5G).
“LOWE”D AND PROUD — Since going 3-for-15 (.200) at the plate over his first five games of the season, Brandon Lowe is batting .409 (9-for-22) with one double, five homers and 12 RBI over his last seven appearances…Lowe ranks among AL leaders in runs scored (T2nd, 13), home runs (T3rd, 5), slugging pct. (3rd, .757), OPS (3rd, 1.201), on-base pct. (5th, .444)…since 4/8, he paces the AL in homers (5) while tying for first in RBI (12) and ranking second in total bases (25) behind SEA Jarred Kelenic (26).
SPREADING THE WEALTH — The Rays have an MLB-leading 11 players with multiple homers: Brandon Lowe (5HR), Yandy Díaz (4HR), Wander Franco (4HR), Randy Arozarena (3HR), Isaac Paredes (3HR), Luke Raley (3HR), Harold Ramírez (3HR), Christian Bethancourt (2HR), Josh Lowe (2HR), Manuel Margot (2HR) and Jose Siri (2HR)…the next closest team is San Francisco (8 players).
Tampa Bay also has an MLB-best seven players with 3+ HR…the next closest team is Los Angeles-NL (6 players)…the Rays have four players with 10+ RBI, including Randy Arozarena (16RBI), Wander Franco (12RBI), Brandon Lowe (12RBI) and Isaac Paredes (10RBI)…Los Angeles-NL is the only other team in the majors that has four players with 10+ RBI.
TODAY’S STARTER: RHP CALVIN FAUCHER (0-0, 4.50
NEXT MAN UP — Faucher will make his first major league start today vs. Toronto after making 26 relief appearances to begin his major league career…in seven career starts in the minor leagues, Faucher went 0-1 with a 4.05 (13.1IP, 6ER)…in his most recent start on 8/21/22 at Norfolk, he threw 1.0 inning, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk with one strikeout.
2023 RUNDOWN — Has made four appearances in relief this season, pitching to a 4.50 ERA (6.0IP, 3ER), walking one while striking out four… made his season debut with a scoreless ninth inning on 4/1 vs. Detroit… tossed a career-high 2.0 innings on 4/3 at Washington and 4/7 vs. Oakland
TORONTO BLUE JAYS NOTES:
THE LATEST: The Blue Jays used a four-run 5th inning to propel themselves to a 6-3 win over the Rays last night… Improved to 4-1 in series openers. Toronto has now won eight of its last 10 contests…Can claim its 4th straight series with a win tonight.
SPRING-ING UP: George Springer opened last night’s scoring with his 1st leadoff homer of the season and the 53rd of his career, tying Craig Biggio for 3rd most in MLB history… The ball came off the bat at 115.9 MPH, tied for the 2nd-hardest hit ball of his career (116.4 MPH on May 1, 2021 vs. ATL)…Also walked as part of a 1-for-4 night…Extended his hitting streak to eight games, going 10-for-35 (.286) with three home runs and five RBI (.885 OPS).
A BERRÍOS BOUNCE BACK: José Berríos tossed 5.0 frames last night before he was removed from the game with a left knee contusion…Allowed one run on four hits with no walks and six strikeouts to earn his 1st win of the season.
0 to 500, REAL QUICK: Bo Bichette recorded his 500th career hit with an RBI double in the 2nd inning last night, becoming the fastest player in franchise history to reach the mark, doing so in 407 career games…Also singled in the 1st, 5th, and 6th innings before doubling again in the 8th…Finished 5-for-5 for his 2nd career five-hit game (Aug. 12, 2020 vs. MIA). The 25-year old now has hits in 12 of the 14 games so far, going 25-for-64 (.391) with four doubles, four homers, 10 RBI, and 11 runs scored…The 25 hits are the most in the Majors, two more than any other player, while his 41 total bases have surpassed Matt Chapman (40) for the most in MLB…Among AL batters, is now 3rd in AVG, 5th in OPS (1.059), and 8th in SLG (.641).
GETTING ON WITH IT: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled in the 5th last night and has reached base safely in all but one game this season, now 22-for-56 with a double, two homers, seven RBI, and a 7BB/4K ratio for a .393 AVG (2nd in the AL), a .470 OBP (3rd) and a .988 OPS (12th)…
The 22 hits are 3rd most among AL batters…Has recorded 30 hard-hit balls (95+ MPH) this year, the most in MLB.
ROMANO-MATIC: Jordan Romano tossed a 1-2-3 9th inning on a K and a pair of groundouts to close out last night’s game on just nine pitches…Now has five saves to lead the Majors…Led the AL last year with 10 saves in the opening month of the season.
HOME SWEET DOME: The Blue Jays are playing their 1st homestand of the 2023 campaign (3-1 so far)…Their .580 win% (47-34) at home last season ranked 4th in the AL…After this weekend set with the Rays, will head back out on the road to visit the Astros (6-8) and the Yankees (8-6) for three games each. Toronto batters finished 2nd in the AL in 2022 in home AVG (.261), 4th in home OBP (.326), 4th in home SLG (.434), and 4th in home OPS (.760)…The pitching staff posted a 4.04 ERA during home contests (10th in the AL) with a .248 opponents’ AVG (11th) and a 1.23 WHIP (8th).
FRIENEMY FIRE: Kevin Kiermaier singled twice off his former ‘mates and is now 15-for-41 (.366) with four extra-base hits to start his Blue Jays career…His 15 hits while batting 9th are the most in the Majors (2nd: Michael A. Taylor – 13).
SEEING FAMILIAR FACES: Toronto is playing its first divisional games of the 2023 season…Marks the furthest the club has gone into a campaign without an AL East opponent since 2009, when they met the Orioles for Game 25 on May 1. The Jays have now won 21 of their last 31 games vs. AL East foes…Went 43-33 (.566%) in divisional play in 2022, the 2nd-best winning percentage within the division (NYY – .618) and the club’s best since registering a .581 win% in 2006 (43-31).
HITTING IT: The Blue Jays are 1st in the Majors with a team batting average of .285, just points ahead of the Phillies (.285)…Have also notched an MLB-high 143 hits (2nd: PHI – 140)…Currently rank 2nd in the AL in OBP (.348) and while sitting 3rd in OPS (.777) and 4th in SLG (.429)…Have had an MLB-high 194 batters reach base safely…Are now on a streak of 29 games with 8+ runners on base, the longest of all MLB clubs (courtesy Stats Perform).
VS. THE RAYS: All-Time: 201-238
2023: 1-0 Home: 114-105
Home: 1-0 Rogers Centre: 111-98
The Blue Jays went 9-10 vs. the Rays last season, splitting the 10 games here at Rogers Centre…Last won a season series in 2017 (10-9)…Their .391 (34-53) win percentage vs. TB since 2018 is their 2nd lowest vs. any AL opponent (.385 vs. SEA). Whit Merrifield went 12-for-32 (.375) with five doubles, three home runs, and 10 RBI in his 10 games vs. Tampa Bay last season (1.206 OPS)…In 39 career meetings, is hitting .324 (48-for-148) with 12 doubles, three triples, nine home runs, and 25 RBI (.974 OPS). Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has reached base safely in each of his last 16 games against the Rays, going 18-for68 (.265) with five doubles, two homers, 11 RBI, and two walks…Is the 2nd-longest active streak vs. TB (Time Anderson – 17G)…Has hit .256 (63-for-246) with 16 doubles, two triples, 11 home runs, and 35 RBI across 62 games against them (.789 OPS). Kevin Kiermaier is facing his former club for the 1st time…Was drafted by the Rays in 2010 and played 10 seasons there, winning three Gold Glove Awards and one Platinum Glove Award…Batted .248 with 273 extra-base hits and 316 RBI over 914 games
STARTING PITCHER – Yusei Kikuchi, LHP #16
TODAY’S GAME: Making his 3rd start of the season…Took a no-decision his last time out on 4/9 at LAA, giving up 6 runs on 9 hits and a walk over 4.1 innings with 6 strikeouts…Tossed 99 pitches (59 strikes) on the day, his most pitches in a single outing since 7/28/21 vs. HOU (101). Over 7 Grapefruit League appearances this year (6 starts), went 2-1 with a 0.87 ERA (2 ER/20.2 IP), 10 walks, and 31 strikeouts…Led all qualified hurlers in Spring Training ERA and punchouts, while ranking 2nd in OPP AVG (.130) and 4th in WHIP (0.92).
2023 HIGHLIGHTS: Picked up the win in his season debut on 4/4 at KC, tossing 5.0 innings of one-run ball with 3 hits, a walk, and 2 strikeouts…Was his 1st start since 8/15/22 vs. BAL, and his 1st win as a starter since 7/28/22 vs. DET.
2022 HIGHLIGHTS: Became the the 7th Japanese-born player to play for the Blue Jays, and the 5th pitcher to do so, joining Mike Nakamura (2004), Tomo Ohka (2007), Ryota Igarashi (2012), and Shun Yamaguchi (2020). Over 20 starts, went 4-7 with a 5.25 ERA (48 ER/82.1 IP). Won his 2nd game of the season on 5/16 vs. SEA, his 1st meeting with his former mates…Began the evening with 4.0 no-hit frames before finishing with 6.0 innings of one-hit, shutout ball (3BB, 6K)…Allowed no more than 1 hit in a start for the 3rd time in his career (also: 4/29/21 at HOU and 4/26/19 vs. TEX).
In the month of May, went 2-0 over 5 starts with a 2.36 ERA (7 ER/26.2 IP) and 31 strikeouts while holding batters to a .177 average. Tossed 6.0 innings of one-run ball on 6/30 vs. TB, scattering 4 hits and a walk with a season-high 8 strikeouts on 80 pitches (50 strikes)…The 6.0
frames matched a season-high (done 3 times)…Punched out Taylor Walls in the 5th for his 400th career strikeout, becoming the 15th Japanese-born player to reach the milestone.
Moved to the bullpen in mid August and kept a 4.91 ERA (10 ER/18.1 IP) while going 2-0 in 12 relief appearances. Earned his 1st career MLB save on 9/30 vs. BOS, throwing 3.0 innings of shutout ball with a hit, a walk, and 5 strikeouts.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS: Made his MLB debut on 3/21/19 for Seattle against Oakland at the Tokyo Dome in Japan…Became the 1st Japanese-born player to make his Major League debut in Japan, picking up a no-decision (4.2 IP, 4H, ER, BB, 3K). Recorded his 1st career complete game shutout on 8/18/19 at TOR, pitching 9.0 scoreless innings and allowing only two hits and a walk with eight strikeouts…Became just the 13th pitcher (17th time) in club history to throw a complete game shutout within his first 30 career appearances (previous: Mike Montgomery on 6/30/15 at SD). In 2021, set personal bests with 7 wins and 163 strikeouts (16th in the AL)…Averaged a career-high 9.30 SO/9. Named to the American League All-Star Team for the 1st time on 7/4/21…Was on the AL club but did not pitch…Became the 14th Japanese-born player to be selected to participate in the Midsummer Classic. Had a career-high 12 strikeouts in 6.0 IP on 7/23/21 vs. OAK…Was his 3rd double-digit strikeout game of the year and the 4th of his career. Spent 8 seasons in the Nippon Professional Baseball league with the Saitama Seibu Lions, earning himself three NPB All-Star nods while fashioning a 73-46 record and a 2.77 ERA.
VS. THE RAYS: Facing the Rays for the 6th time (5th start) in his career…Has gone a perfect 3-0 vs. TB with a 1.88 ERA (5 ER/24.0 IP), a 1.04 WHIP, and a .198 opponent batting average…Has allowed no more than 2 runs in any meeting with Tampa Bay…Met the Rays at Rogers Centre once last season on 6/30, tossing 6.0 innings of one-run ball with 4 hits, a walk, and 8 strikeouts.
