3 Takeaways From Blue Jays' Streak-Ending Win Over Rays
Streak snapped.
The seemingly unbeatable Rays met José Berríos, Bo Bichette, and the Blue Jays on Friday, and the unstoppable were stopped. Toronto ended Tampa's season-starting win streak at 13 games. Here are three takeaways from the Blue Jays' 6-3 victory:
1. Berríos Rebounds, But Leaves With Injury
Wander Franco lashed at a changeup. The pitch was placed just on the outside of the zone, nipping the black and requiring a defensive swing. The result: an easy bouncing grounder to Matt Chapman and Berríos’ fourth-straight out to begin the game.
Berríos leaned on the changeup early against Tampa's hot bats, to great effect. After back-to-back rough outings to start his 2023 season, Berríos' varied pitch mix and improved command earned him a needed bounceback on Friday. He kept to the outside of the zone, avoided hanging mistakes, and provided the consistency Toronto's craved from him for a year.
"Today I was throwing better secondary pitches," Berríos said. "I've been working to have more spread between my fastball and off-speed and I had it tonight. Slower changeup with more movement."
On the final pitch of Berríos' night, the righty took a hard comebacker off the knee, found the ball lying by the mound, and fired over to first for the out. He limped off the field and was replaced by Trevor Richards the next inning.
The Jays announced he was removed with a left knee contusion, but after the game Manager John Schneider said he expects Berríos to make his next start.
2. Jays Snap Rays Streak
As the ball skipped by Brandon Lowe's outstretched glove, it became clear. The Rays' historic heater was coming to a close.
With Berríos' strong start and a four-run fifth inning, the Blue Jays handed Tampa Bay its first loss of the season. The Toronto victory snapped a 13-game Rays win streak to start the season, tied for the longest in modern MLB history.
"You pay attention to what they did the first 13 games and you appreciate that as a baseball fan," Schneider said. "You know, they're a good team, but I think we're solely focused on winning the series."
Kevin Kiermaier was particularly happy to put a stop to his old team's streak, adding two hits and a run scored in his first game against the Rays since leaving in free agency.
"They've been making a lot [publicity], a lot of headlines, rightfully so," Kiermaier said before the game. "But we're gonna do everything in our power to keep that three- or four-way tie, whatever it is, for all the 13-0 teams out there."
3. Bichette Makes Hit History
Bo Bichette slapped a ripping liner into right field in the second inning, the ball bounced just fair and up into the stands for an automatic double. As he rolled into second base, the Blue Jays shortstop solidified history.
The double was Bichette's 500th career hit. It took him just 407 games to get there, setting the record for fastest to 500 hits in Blue Jays franchise history. Bichette nudged out Vernon Wells and Shannon Stewart (432 games played) for the Toronto record. He also reached 500 hits faster than Angels superstar Mike Trout, who took 423 games.
Bichette added a few more knocks on the night, finishing with five hits against Tampa's previously impenetrable pitching. The shortstop entered Friday's game hitting .339, earning his seventh multi-hit game of the year (in 14 contests).
"He's been talented since we signed him," Schneider said. "I watched him hit .400 in the minor leagues, in A-Ball. He's got great bat-to-ball skills."
Fastest players in team HISTORY to 500 career hits:
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 14, 2023
1) Bo Bichette (407 GP)
T2) Vernon Wells (432 GP)
T2) Shannon Stewart (432 GP) pic.twitter.com/tFf1pQp7UN
Mitch Bannon is a baseball reporter for Sports Illustrated covering the Toronto Blue Jays and their minor league affiliates.Twitter: @MitchBannon