Much has been made about the Toronto Blue Jays’ top-rated offense, but Braydon Fisher and his work late in games should get some credit for the success of the American League East-leading club.
Off to a 2-0 start in a four-game series vs. Tampa Bay, the Blue Jays will visit the Rays again on Wednesday night.
Toronto (89-62) held off a late rally by the fading Rays on Tuesday, winning 6-5 as closer Jeff Hoffman earned his 31st save for the Jays’ sixth straight win.
On Monday night in a showcase of outstanding pitching performances by Tampa Bay’s Joe Boyle and Toronto’s Trey Yesavage, who was dazzling in his major league debut, Fisher — a rookie reliever — delivered at the series opener’s peak moment. With a one-run lead in the 11th inning and runners at the corners and no outs, he retired Brandon Lowe, Junior Caminero and Josh Lowe on swinging strikeouts to earn the 2-1 win.
In 47 outings this season (one start), Fisher is 7-0 with a 2.78 ERA over 45 1/3 innings, with 60 strikeouts and an 0.99 WHIP. Opponents have hit .180 against him.
“He’s done that all year,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said of Fisher’s win on Monday. “But for that right there in that situation, not getting flustered with the infield hit to Yandy (Diaz), and then three strikeouts, man, with the fastest runner in the league (Chandler Simpson) at third. There was a lot going on.
“He has been so damn good. Extra innings is tough, and him and (catcher Tyler Heineman) made pitch after pitch.”
On Wednesday, right-hander Kevin Gausman (10-10, 3.44 ERA) will face left-hander Ian Seymour (3-2, 3.16).
For Gausman, it will be his 30th start for the fifth consecutive season, including all four with the Blue Jays.
In his most recent start last Thursday, he fired his second career shutout by limiting the Houston Astros to two hits while striking out nine in a 6-0 game. Over 24 appearances (22 starts) against the Rays, he is 8-9 with a 4.02 ERA.
While Tampa Bay (73-78) has stumbled mightily by going 2-9 in the past 11 games, manager Kevin Cash said he liked what he saw from Boyle, who had been optioned to Triple-A Durham twice this season, most recently on Aug. 22.
Recalled on Monday, he traveled to Florida on sudden notice and fired six shutout innings of three-hit ball. His command was most impressive, as the hard-throwing righty struck out five and didn’t walk a batter.
“You’re encouraged by it,” Cash said. “You try to make decisions to put all these guys in a good spot and to go have success. We felt it was best for him to go down (to Durham) and make the most of it.
“Ultimately, it comes down to the player. Do they want to go down and make the most of their opportunity or do they want to go down there and pout? Joe Boyle did not do that. He put the work in.”
Like Boyle, Seymour will try to make a strong impression down the stretch in his 17th career appearance (fourth start). He made his major league debut on June 9.
He has lost his past two starts — to the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians — but wasn’t helped by his defense or offense. In the two starts combined, he allowed eight runs (three earned) in 9 1/3 innings in 5-1 and 7-1 losses, respectively.
Seymour has yet to face the Blue Jays.