Jose Bautista and John McDonald shine as Toronto Blue Jays defeat Tampa Bay Rays 6-4
Toronto Blue Jays’ infielders Jose Bautista and John McDonald both were amazing with the bat, as they struck home runs to give the Blue Jays a 6-4 victory against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre in Toronto on 22nd April, 2011.
It was the first home run for Bautista in the current season. He then took a single around the bases to end his play and had four runs on three hits including an RBI single. Bautista made two-out double by diving towards the second base on the error of Sam
Fuld in left field position.
During the fifth inning, Bautista made initial runs by hitting a solo homer against the Rays’, starter, Jeremy Hellickson, and then took a tying run off the Rays’ reliever, Joel Peralta, in the eighth inning as the Blue Jays rallied towards a convincing
win.
Bautista took four walks in leading the score for the Jays. He also got a chance on Peralta’s throw when Sean Rodriguez dropped his easy catch.
The other key player for the Jays was McDonald, who struck a walk-off homer against the Rays’ closer Adam Russell in 11th inning and extended the Jays’ lead to 6-4. It was McDonald’s first homer in this season. Juan Rivera was hit out on taking
a single against Cesar Ramos.
McDonald came in place for second baseman Jayson Nix, who suffered a knee injury on collision with Rodriguez. It happened when Nix tried to crumble a double-play. He didn’t begin the game but ended it like a game winner. Adam Lind also took an RBI single
for the Jays towards the centre field.
It was a miserable moment for the Blue Jays, as they already missed their second baseman, Aaron Hill, due to a right hamstring injury. He suffered pain in his hamstring during a game against the New York Yankees.
The Blue Jays’ closer, Marc Rzepczynski, also played his role in his team victory, as he allowed no run in 1/3 inning pitches and struck out one batter. The Blue Jays defeated the Rays in the second consecutive game.
For the Rays, B.J. Upton made a run on a sacrifice fly and provided the Rays with an initial lead but it was a little effort, which was not helpful in the Rays’ success. Hellickson had the worst day, as he allowed three runs on six hits including three earned
runs.
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