Tyler Alexander maintains a flawless performance into the eighth inning, leading the Rays to a 4-3 victory over the Blue Jays.
In Toronto, Tyler Alexander carried a flawless performance into the eighth inning until Danny Jansen broke the
perfect game bid with an opposite-field single. Despite the late hit, the Tampa Bay Rays managed to secure a 4-3
victory against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night. Richie Palacios contributed to the Rays’ success with a two-
run homer, helping them establish a 4-0 lead which they maintained to claim their 10th win in 14 games.
“He was changing it up, hitting his spots,” Palacios commented on Alexander’s performance. “That was impressive.”
Tampa Bay has emerged victorious in five of its last six series openers.
“Securing the first win definitely sends a message that we’re here to play solid baseball,” Lowe remarked.
Alexander (2-2) retired the initial 22 batters before Jansen connected with a 1-0 changeup near the lower, outer
corner off the end of his bat. The ball landed cleanly 206 feet from the plate, between right fielder Josh Lowe and
Palacios at second.
“He placed it perfectly,” Lowe remarked.
Alexander surrendered a season-high six runs, including three home runs, in his previous start, but Rays catcher Ben
Rortvedt noted that he sensed early on Friday that Alexander was in good form.
“In the bullpen, I could sense his confidence,” Rortvedt said. “He was hitting all his spots with all his pitches.”
Alexander acknowledged that he understood the significance of his performance as the game progressed.
“I was very conscious of what I was achieving,” Alexander said. “I was just trying not to force it, I suppose. Simply
trying to stay composed.”
The single occurred on Alexander’s 97th pitch. Davis Schneider homered two pitches later, narrowing Toronto’s
deficit to 4-2, and Daulton Varsho singled on Alexander’s 105th and final pitch, three more than his previous career
high.
“That was a truly remarkable outing,” Rays manager Kevin Cash commented. “I’m thrilled for him.”
Alexander required 23 pitches to navigate through the seventh inning, reaching three-ball counts on all three batters.
He recorded four strikeouts and issued no walks in his seventh start and ninth appearance this season.
“As the game progressed, I believe he improved,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider remarked about Alexander. “He
was effectively hitting the corners and changing his elevations.”
Lowe made a sliding catch on Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s sinking liner for the second out of the sixth, dropping down to one
knee in the process.
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