Rays 0 Blue Jays 1: Debut Day Spoiled by Unclutch Offense

The Rays got great pitching today, but couldn’t convert any of their scoring chances as they dropped a 1-0 contest to the Dunedin Blue Jays.

It should have been a fun day as we saw the much anticipated debut with the Rays of Luis Patiño, as well as the feel good Major League debut of 31 year old Louis Head. But the Rays bats were repeatedly unable to convert chances.

Today’s lineups:

Tricia Whitaker started things off right with a wonderful rendition of the Anthem. She also sang the Canadian anthem, as well as God Bless America. We are all on #TeamTricia who is the best sideline reporter since Todd Kalas (and in my opinion, better than TK.)

The Arms

In the top of the first, Luis Patiño walked Biggio after a long at bat. He then sat down the side on strikes. His location and pitch mix was fantastic.

Patiño then worked a one-two-three second. He did get some help as a couple of well tagged balls were run down by KK, and there was a nifty play at short by Wendle on a deflected grounder.

The TV broadcast was treated to a piece on Patiño’s parents, who were getting to see Luis pitch in the majors for the first time.

Patiño finished his one TTO with a foul out and a flyout before giving way to Josh Fleming. Fleming whiffed Biggio to end the top of the third.

The Jay scored the only run of the game in the top in the fifth. It started when Marcus Semien broke up the Rays no-hitter with a single to right. Gurriel Jr. followed with a bunt single. Then a one out single by Espinal plated Semien.

A Jansen force play and a tough Biggio walk loaded the bases, but Fleming wriggled off the hook by striking out Bichette.

On the day, Fleming would go 4.1 innings, surrendering just the one run on four hits, with two walks and three strikeouts.

Debut Day 2: Electric Boogaloo came in the top of eighth when Louis Head made his way in from the bullpen.

Head worked his way through the meat of order, retiring the side in order. Well done, young(?) man!

Hunter Strickland got the ninth, and got into a first and third jam on singles from Gurriel and Panik. But he worked out of it by getting a slumping Jansen to pop out.

The Bats

Facing Hyun-jin Ryu and a bevy of relievers, the Rays put traffic on the bases in every inning except the first and ninth. They collected five hits (all singles), two walks, and two HBPs, but finished the day with nine LOB, while going 0 for 6 with RISP.

The Rays failed to capitalize even though Ryu was forced to leave the game in the fourth inning with a — um —

Well isn’t that a pain in the ass.

The Rays will host the red hot Oakland A’s for a four game set beginning tomorrow.