Alek Manoah the man as Blue Jays score big bounce back win over Rays

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – There was no panic in the Blue Jays heading into what sure felt like a significant Saturday date at trippy Tropicana Field.

There was growing frustrating, however, as the twists and turns of the American League wildcard race were headed in a direction they would have preferred to avoid.

Enter the beast that is Alek Manoah, whose competitiveness is surpassed only by his talent and continuing emergence as one of the best pitchers in the AL.

The burly right-hander delivered seven-innings of shutout ball — dominating at times and grinding when needed in others — as the Jays delivered a 3-1 win over their pesky nemesis, the Tampa Bay Rays.

Just as it has been throughout the season — a campaign that has now reached 30 starts — Manoah is the man the team leans on to restore order when needed most. And in a contest that felt like a playoff preview, Manoah was money.

“I think he’s proven it to where he’s up for big games,” manager John Schneider said of the 24-year-old righty prior to his most recent start. “He’s up for big spots and challenges like this.

“I think we’ve got the right guy on the mound.”

Right guy indeed as Manoah was dealing through an outing in which he tossed a season-high 113 pitches and striking out eight Rays batters while limiting the Rays to four hits.

In his last seven starts, Manoah has allowed just six earned runs over a span of 48 innings. He has now lowered his ERA to 2.31 while improving his record to 15-7.

The 2022 all-star served up just the type of effort the Jays needed against a Rays team that had taken the first two games of this four-game set. The victory snapped a three-game losing streak and with 10 games remaining in the season, allowed the Jays to reclaim top spot in the wildcard spot, a game up on the Rays.

While offence was at a premium in a stellar pitching duel between Manoah and the Rays Drew Rasmussen, a suddenly heating up Whit Merrifield broke through for the Jays in the seventh inning. A towering three-run homer over the wall in left field gave the Jays all the runs they would need.

Merrifield’s hot stretch of late continued in clutch fashion. It was the trade-deadline acquisition’s third homer (and sixth extra-base hit) in his past seven games.

“He’s getting hot at the right time and brings a lot of other variables into your lineup with speed and versatility,” Schneider said. “I know it hadn’t been great with the start he got off to here and not playing consistently, but I love the way he’s swinging it right now.”

As the Jays remain locked in a game-at-a-time approach, there’s no denying the urgency Saturday’s game carried — and it starts with the crazy things that happen so regularly at the Trop.

The Jays are just 3-5 at the quirky indoor stadium and have grown frustrated at the ways they’ve let games get away from them here over the years.

“I don’t think we’re the only team walking in here or going out of here going ‘WTF,’” Schneider said. “It’s something you’ve got to work around as best you can.”

The Jays, of course, have had trouble doing that against a Rays team that clinched the season series with wins here on Thursday and Friday, and thus hold the tiebreak should the teams be locked at the end of the regular season.

Earning home-field advantage is always a thing worth pursuing, but especially when it eliminates a return here for a best-of-three wildcard clash two weeks down the road.

“It’s definitely an interesting place to play,” Jays third baseman Matt Chapman said. “It’s just different in every way and takes some adjusting and getting used to.”

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – There was no panic in the Blue Jays heading into what sure felt like a significant Saturday date at trippy Tropicana Field.

There was growing frustrating, however, as the twists and turns of the American League wildcard race were headed in a direction they would have preferred to avoid.

Enter the beast that is Alek Manoah, whose competitiveness is surpassed only by his talent and continuing emergence as one of the best pitchers in the AL.

The burly right-hander delivered seven-innings of shutout ball — dominating at times and grinding when needed in others — as the Jays delivered a 3-1 win over their pesky nemesis, the Tampa Bay Rays.

Just as it has been throughout the season — a campaign that has now reached 30 starts — Manoah is the man the team leans on to restore order when needed most. And in a contest that felt like a playoff preview, Manoah was money.

“I think he’s proven it to where he’s up for big games,” manager John Schneider said of the 24-year-old righty prior to his most recent start. “He’s up for big spots and challenges like this.

“I think we’ve got the right guy on the mound.”

Right guy indeed as Manoah was dealing through an outing in which he tossed a season-high 113 pitches and striking out eight Rays batters while limiting the Rays to four hits.

In his last seven starts, Manoah has allowed just six earned runs over a span of 48 innings. He has now lowered his ERA to 2.31 while improving his record to 15-7.

The 2022 all-star served up just the type of effort the Jays needed against a Rays team that had taken the first two games of this four-game set. The victory snapped a three-game losing streak and with 10 games remaining in the season, allowed the Jays to reclaim top spot in the wildcard spot, a game up on the Rays.

While offence was at a premium in a stellar pitching duel between Manoah and the Rays Drew Rasmussen, a suddenly heating up Whit Merrifield broke through for the Jays in the seventh inning. A towering three-run homer over the wall in left field gave the Jays all the runs they would need.

Merrifield’s hot stretch of late continued in clutch fashion. It was the trade-deadline acquisition’s third homer (and sixth extra-base hit) in his past seven games.

“He’s getting hot at the right time and brings a lot of other variables into your lineup with speed and versatility,” Schneider said. “I know it hadn’t been great with the start he got off to here and not playing consistently, but I love the way he’s swinging it right now.”

As the Jays remain locked in a game-at-a-time approach, there’s no denying the urgency Saturday’s game carried — and it starts with the crazy things that happen so regularly at the Trop.

The Jays are just 3-5 at the quirky indoor stadium and have grown frustrated at the ways they’ve let games get away from them here over the years.

“I don’t think we’re the only team walking in here or going out of here going ‘WTF,’” Schneider said. “It’s something you’ve got to work around as best you can.”

The Jays, of course, have had trouble doing that against a Rays team that clinched the season series with wins here on Thursday and Friday, and thus hold the tiebreak should the teams be locked at the end of the regular season.

Earning home-field advantage is always a thing worth pursuing, but especially when it eliminates a return here for a best-of-three wildcard clash two weeks down the road.

“It’s definitely an interesting place to play,” Jays third baseman Matt Chapman said. “It’s just different in every way and takes some adjusting and getting used to.”

ROMANO TO THE RESCUE

Closer Jordan Romano was called upon for a four-out save and got the job for number 35 on the season, moving him into solo possession if the eighth most in a season by a Jays reliever.

It was an important bounce back for Romano, who had suffered blown saves in each of his two previous appearances. The Markham, Ont. native got back on track in style as well, striking out three to secure the win.

Closer Jordan Romano was called upon for a four-out save and got the job for number 35 on the season, moving him into solo possession if the eighth most in a season by a Jays reliever.

It was an important bounce back for Romano, who had suffered blown saves in each of his two previous appearances. The Markham, Ont. native got back on track in style as well, striking out three to secure the win.