Rays cool off Happ in rout of Blue Jays
TORONTO — J.A. Happ’s two-seam fastball escaped him. And with it, so did the game.
Happ suffered his first loss of the season and was pulled after two-plus innings as the Toronto Blue Jays fell to the Tampa Bay Rays 13-2 on Monday night. He gave up seven hits and eight earned runs, all because his go-to pitch was misbehaving.
“I just don’t think it’s coming out of my hand the same way,” said Happ, who added he felt sharp warming up in the bullpen. “Maybe I’m trying to manipulate it too much instead of letting it work.”
Happ started the season hot with five wins over seven starts and a 2.05 earned-run average to lead Toronto in both categories. His 30 strikeouts heading into Monday’s game were fifth best on the team, but Happ has always been a groundball specialist. He now has a 3.40 ERA and 32 Ks.
“This game can certainly drive you crazy and in the past it has,” said Happ. “Tomorrow I’m going to flush it and I’m going to come in and get my work in like always. We’ll keep going.
“I felt good and I’m going to feel good the next time out and we’ll do everything we can to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Blue Jays manager John Gibbons was more direct.
“He’s human, y’know?” said Gibbons. “He’s been so good, he’s been on such a nice little run. Chuck it out, move on.”
Steve Pearce, Tim Beckham, Curt Casali and Desmond Jennings all hit home runs for Tampa Bay (17-19), which scored in each of the first four innings to build an early 11-0 lead. The Rays offence dominated all night, outhitting the Blue Jays 17-8.
“We came to play,” said Jennings. “Everybody hit the ball.”
Drew Smyly (2-4) struck out six and gave up four hits and an earned run over five innings for the win. Steve Geltz, Ryan Webb, Dana Eveland and Enny Romero allowed only one run over four innings of relief.
Dustin Antolin, Joe Biagini, Drew Storen, Chad Girodo and Jesse Chavez came in from the bullpen as the Blue Jays continued to leak runs and Toronto (19-21) lost its third straight.
Pearce established Tampa’s lead early, putting the first pitch he saw clear over the left-field wall, driving in Taylor Motter for a 2-0 lead.
The Rays piled on in the second inning, with Kevin Kiermaier’s sacrifice fly to deep centre field bringing Jennings home from third. In the next at bat, Beckham hit a home run to right-centre field, scoring Casali as well for a 5-0 lead.
Happ’s night ended in the third inning when he gave up an RBI single to Steve Souza Jr. That brought out Antolin, also making his major league debut.