Steven Souza Jr., photographed before Saturday’s contest, left the ball-game after being hit by a Joe Biagini pitch in the seventh inning. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Matt Andriese posted his longest start of the season, yet Toronto beat the offensively strapped Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday afternoon, 4–1. Not only did they lose, but they lost one of their top players after Steven Souza Jr. left the ball-game after being hit by a pitch on his left hand.

The Rays scored their only run in the second inning when Jesus Sucre singled to right-field, scoring Tim Beckham, who initially was called out at the plate. The call, however, was reversed upon review.

It was a redeeming play for Beckham after he committed an error an inning earlier, allowing the Blue Jays to score a two-out run. For the Rays’ de facto shortstop, it was his third straight game with an error. Because of his defensive miscues, his DRS has dropped from +2 to +1 in a matter of days.

Toronto scored the go ahead run in the fourth inning when Russell Martin doubled to left-center, scoring Justin Smoak, who reached on a base hit.

Tampa Bay had found itself with a great opportunity to take control of in the top of the sixth inning. After Rickie Weeks Jr. led off the inning with a walk, Corey Dickerson reached on fielder’s choice and error to third. John Gibbons, fearing the Jays’ one-run lead was in peril, called upon Joe Biagini to replace starter Francisco Liriano. Beckham struck out on a bunt attempt — yet another egregious mental gaffe on a long list of ridiculous misplays.

After the ball-game, Beckham said he wasn’t really bunting on his own on strike three, rather he hadn’t noticed that Cash had taken the bunt off, i.e. he missed the sign. See Tim, most ball players — Little Leaguers included — know that you don’t bunt with two strikes against you. I digress.

After that stupid play, Brad Miller went down swinging and Logan Morrison grounded out.

The inability to plate runs proved detrimental in the bottom of the inning. Smoak, who was 2-2 on the day prior to this particular at-bat, hit a two-run homer to centerfield, giving Toronto some breathing room. The long-ball was set up by a leadoff walk to Jose Bautista.

There is a touch of hind-sighted irony therein, as Andriese coaxed a one-out grounder from Russell Martin two pitches later. Why is that ironic? Had Kevin Cash called for an intentional walk of Smoak, the inning would have ended with a double play and just a one-run deficit. Andriese ended up posting seven innings of four run (three earned) ball on five hits and three walks, while fanning four.

The injury scare to Souza came with one out in the seventh inning. Biagini threw a high 95-mph fastball that hit the top of his left hand. Souza crumpled to the ground and was motionless, in pain, necessitating a check by assistant athletic trainer Paul Harker and Kevin Cash. He walked off the field and into the clubhouse for X-Rays.

The X-Rays came back negative, showing a left-hand contusion. Souza, who said he felt blessed to hear X-rays were negative, will be re-evaluated over the next 24-48 hours. The team will know more about his status on Sunday.

Tampa Bay mounted one last threat in the top of the eighth with a pair of runners on and two outs. Morrison gave a Joe Smith pitch a ride, yet he inevitably flew out to deep right to end the threat.

The New What Next

Chris Archer (2-1, 3.94 ERA, 3.50 FIP) will get the start against Aaron Sanchez (0-1, 4.38 ERA, 5.65 FIP) in the series finale against the Blue Jays.

Archer gave up three home runs — the first he’s given up this season — in a loss against Baltimore Monday night. He pitched well in his season debut against the Blue Jays, allowing two runs on five hits. Archer has struggled with his command of late, leading to a triplet of five inning starts. In any case, he’ll try to move past his blip on Sunday in Toronto.

According to Neil Solondz (Rays Radio), who cited FanGraphs, Archer’s slider usage is at 45.3 percent, highest of his MLB career, while he’s thrown changeups 5.1 percent of the time, down from 11.3 percent last year. Fangraphs says Archer threw 16 changeups in his Opening Day start, but just 11 total in the last four starts combined.

Sanchez has been out since April 14th with a blister on his right middle finger, although the injury has healed. Sanchez threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Tuesday with tape around his injured finger. He will throw a side session on Friday without any protective covering, and if all goes as planned, he should face the Rays on Sunday. In two starts this season, Sanchez has allowed six runs on 11 hits (including three homers) with a 9:4 strike to ball ratio. Key matchups: Kevin Kiermaier (3-10, 2B), Colby Rasmus (1-3), Jesus Sucre (2-3, 2B)

You can read more about the Rays/Jays series in our series preview.

Rays 4/30/17 Starting Lineup

4/30 #Rays lineup at TOR
Dickerson LF
Kiermaier CF
Longoria 3B
Miller 2B
Weeks DH
Morrison 1B
Norris C
Peterson RF
Robertson SS
Archer RHP

Noteworthiness

— OF Colby Rasmus will resume his rehab for the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits today. Rasmus has been sick the past two days.

— Per Topkin, Tim Beckham’s good couple weeks at short won’t change the plans to have him go back to a reserve role once Matt Duffy is healthy, likely late May.

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