Game Thread: Toronto Blue Jays (12-21) at Tampa Bay Rays (14-17) – They’re Doing It Again

May 6, 2013; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays catcher

(9) is congratulated by teammates after he scored during the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 8-7. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Blue Jays have gone and done it again. They’ve sucked me back in, shown me that glimmer of hope, by the end of this Game Thread we could have an honest to goodness win streak! I’m a sucker you say? Well obviously…I’m a Toronto sports fan. We’re all suckers. That being said it’s not easy to stop yourself from getting caught up in the hope and excitement of a 7-run comeback victory. J.P. Arencibia‘s 2-run home run to put the Blue Jays on top for good is the kind of hit that narratives are built on.

Mark my words, if this truly is a turning point for the Blue Jays season (please please please let this be a turning point) these aren’t going to be the last words put into a word processing program to describe JPA’s bomb

News & Notes

Jose Reyes had his walking boot off, for a period of time at least, so there’s that.

The Blue Jays haven’t claimed anyone on waivers in what seems like hours…has anyone checked on Alex Anthopolous lately? Line Ups

Question of The Day

Game Updates
BREAKING: It’s really nice out in Toronto, this Game Thread is therefore brought to you live from my balcony.

Well this is pretty cool:

Top 1:

Jose Bautista hits a double but that’s all the Jays manage in the 1st

Bottom 1:

A double, a walk but nothing else for the Rays. Zeros after 1.

Top 2:

Lind hits his first home run of the season! Maicer Izturis hits a double but is stranded. 1-0 for the good guys.

Bottom 2:

Scary moment here in the bottom half of the second as Happ gets hit with a line drive off the bat of Desmond Jennings. Let’s all hope that he’s okay.

Brad Lincoln into pitch, going to be tough for the Blue Jays to stay focused on the task at hand.

Top 3:

Blue Jays can’t get anything going in the 3rd, getting set down in order.

Bottom 3:

Brad Lincoln responds in kind setting down the Rays in order.

4th inning:

Nothing comes across for either team in the 4th

Top 5:

Nothing doing for the Blue Jays aside from a Kawasaki single.

 Bottom 5:

 Loup keeps the Rays off the board with a clean 5th inning.

Top 6:

A Melky single, an Edwin walk but nothing else as the Blue Jays fail to score again. They’re still trailing 4-1 heading into the bottom of the 6th.

Bottom 6:

The Rays can’t muster much against Loup, off to the 7th to see if the Jays can get to this bullpen again.

Top 7:

Lind doubles, and Rasmus kills the rally with a home run, but the Blue Jays are now within 1 heading to the home half of the 7th.

Bottom 7:

A very long Evan Longoria double is the only hit that Steve Delabar gives up, keeping it a 1 run game heading to the 8th.

Top 8:

Blue Jays tie it up in the 8th after double from Melky and Joey Bats; but squander a grand opportunity by not getting anymore across.

Bottom 8:

Delabar shuts down the Rays, thanks in part to a nice 3-6-3 double play started (and finished) by Edwin Encarnacion

Top 9:

Maicer Izturis Power, Brett Lawrie Red Bull, EE getting tossed. All ya need to know. Jays lead 6-4. Janssen in to work his magic,

Bottom 9:

Janssen closes out the win for the Blue Jays. We have ourselves a streak people.