A late rally by the Toronto Blue Jays wasn't enough as they fell 6-5 to the Tampa Bay Rays in Florida on Tuesday.
The Jays got an early lead but couldn't hold on to it as Tampa Bay got to starter Chris Rowley early and often. Rowley — who fell to 1-1 after Tuesday's loss — only lasted 3.1 innings and gave up four runs, forcing Toronto to chase the game for the rest of the night.
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It was the fourth-straight loss for the Jays, who had climbed to the cusp of the AL wild card race last week before being swept in Chicago by the Cubs over the weekend.
At 59-66, Toronto now sits 5.5 games back of the final wild card spot.
A non-Donaldson early HR
Josh Donaldson has been terrorizing opposing starters with first-inning home runs, but on Tuesday that honour went to Nori Aoki.
The 35-year-old continued Donaldson's recent work with a lead-off solo shot to give the Jays the earliest lead they could possibly get, ostensibly setting the tone for the rest of the game.
This leadoff thing is pretty easy, huh, Nori? 😳😳https://t.co/JpM8QhENlY @budcanada pic.twitter.com/VpOpuxLmns
— Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 22, 2017
Aoki isn't a long ball merchant — the Japanese outfielder only has 32 home runs since joining the major leagues in 2012.
Pillar tossed
Outfielder Kevin Pillar isn't known for having a big mouth, but he said enough to get himself ejected by home plate umpire Chad Fairchild in the top of the third inning.
Kevin Pillar has been ejected from tonight's game. Ezequiel Carrera will take over in centre field.
— Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 23, 2017
Pillar had some choice words for Fairchild after grounding out, prompting Ezequiel Carrera's entrance into the game for Toronto.
Bringer of rain, indoors
Despite no early-inning home runs from Donaldson, the 31-year-old was still a thorn in the Rays' side as his hot bat against Tampa Bay struck again.
With the Jays chasing in the eighth, Donaldson hit a solo home run to bring his team within two, once again getting to the Rays pitchers.
Keep 'em coming! ☔️☔️@BringerOfRain20 slams his 21st home run to make it 6-4 in the 8th. pic.twitter.com/gnKLWyIEGY
— Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 23, 2017
The late round-tripper gave Donaldson his fifth home run (and eighth RBI) against Tampa Bay in his past five games against the Rays.