Chapman error sets up Rays’ big inning in win over Jays
FLA. Matt Chapman’s throwing error allowed Tampa Bay to break a scoreless tie in the sixth inning, and the Rays went on to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-0 on Sunday.
Jeffrey Springs combined with four relievers on a five-hitter for the Rays, who took two of three from Toronto. Matt Wisler (2-1) took over with two outs in the fifth and worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings, and Andrew Kittredge pitched the ninth for his fifth save in seven attempts.
The Rays generated a minimum of offence, scratching out six singles, only two of which were hit well.
“They’ve got pitching and they play defence,” Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo said. “That’s what I’ve been preaching since last year because that’s how you win games.”
J.P. Feyereisen struck out three in his 14th straight scoreless relief appearance.
“That’s probably our favourite thing to do is play close, tight games,” Feyereisen said. “Obviously having Springs come out take us deep into the game, and then the bullpen taking over, and then after that our guys just grinding out ABs in the late innings.”
With runners on first and second and one out in the sixth inning, the Rays’ Harold Ramirez hit a chopper to Chapman, the three-time Gold Glove-winning third baseman. Chapman’s throw toward second base was wild, enabling Brandon Lowe to score the game’s first run. After Alex Manoah’s wild pitch brought in a second run, Ji-Man Choi punched a single into left to make it 3-0.
“When you’re not hitting, that’s what happens,” Montoyo said. “There’s no room for error so it’s tough on everybody.”
Lowe and Wander Franco had opened the inning with singles, the latter ending Franco’s 0-for-18 stretch.
“We never put our head down,” Franco said through a translator. “We keep on grinding and that’s why we got the win.”