Game Recap: Blue Jays walkoff to extend winning streak to 9 games!

May 28, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Melky Cabrera (53) congratulates pinch runner Kevin Pillar (11) after scoring the winning run against the Tampa Bay Rays in the ninth inning at Rogers Centre. Toronto defeated Tampa Bay 3-2. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Blue Jays 3, Tampa Bay Rays 2

W- Aaron Loup (2-1, 2.84 ERA) L- Juan Carlos Oviedo (1-1, 1.62 ERA)

The Toronto Blue Jays extended their winning streak to nine games in walk-off fashion on Wednesday night. This marks the third series sweep in a row for Toronto who now sits a top the American League East, and is 10 games over .500 (32-22).

Toronto jumped on Rays’ starter Chris Archer in the first inning by sending seven batters to the plate. Edwin Encarnacion drove two runs in with…….. a single- didn’t see that coming.

After the first inning Archer settled down and was very comfortable against a Blue Jays lineup he pitches so well against. Archer would end up going six strong innings striking out seven while allowing only six hits and two walks.

Liam Hendricks surprised most by pitching six very strong innings for his second start of the year. Allowing only three hits in the outing he struck out five Rays hitters and issued no free passes. The only hiccup was in the top of the second where he allowed a 2-run homerun to Wil Myers that tied the game and stayed that way for most of the game.

It has to be said that the Blue Jays defense was on full display in the contest. First in the third Anthony Gose made a catch that reminded everyone of Devon White in the 1992 World Series. Then in the sixth Melky Cabrera looked like he stretched all the muscles in his body to make a leaping catch just off the wall. To top it all of Juan Francisco made a diving play to rob a base hit to lead off the eighth inning.

The bullpen matched each other out for out until the bottom of the ninth inning where Dioner Navarro hit the first pitch he from saw Juan Carlos Oviedo to right centre for a single and was taken out of the game for pinch runner Kevin Pillar. The very next pitch from Anthony Gose was bunted up the first base line where Oviedo fielded the ball and threw it into right field. Pillar was able to round the bases and score from the error as the Blue Jays won their first walk-off game of the season.

The Blue Jays will start a new series on Thursday as the get set to take on the Kansas City Royals at home. The first game will see James Shields take on RA Dickey at 7:07 PM ET.