Alejandro Kirk's three-run blast lifts Blue Jays past Tampa Bay Rays

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Compared to the theatrics and explosiveness of Tuesday night’s series opener, the second game of a three-game set against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays was the epitome of boredom.

The Blue Jays didn’t seem to mind knowing four home runs launched and nine runs scored weren’t sufficient in toppling Tampa Bay.

All Toronto needed Wednesday was one inning, the fateful sixth, when three runs would cross home plate on one swing of the bat.

In the end, one and done was enough as the Jays took the game 3-1 to even the series.

When the game needed to be saved, it was left to Yimi Garcia to seal the deal.

Daulton Varsho made a nice catch in centre field to record the second out, while Garcia induced a ground out to end the night.

Nowhere near as dramatic nor entertaining as the series opener, the game nonetheless allowed the Jays to return to .500 (21-21).

The following are three takeaways on a night the Jays managed to win a game by recording eight hits, including two for extra bases, while striking out seven times, including two by Anthony Santander and one by Bo Bichette, who comprise two-thirds of the team’s top of the order.

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1. CATCH-22

By no means is Alejandro Kirk equipped to start every day behind home plate when history has shown his prowess at the plate diminishes the more he plays and the deeper the season progresses.

At the same time, his presence on the team can’t be overlooked.

Tyler Heineman is at best a serviceable catcher, while Kirk is playing at an all-star level.

The more Kirk plays, the more his impact is felt knowing, in the long term, the more he does play, the risk of witnessing diminishing returns is a distinct possibility.

He threw out one of the game’s speedster in Chandler Simpson in a perfect display of arm strength.

He then went yard, launching his third home run of the season, a two-out, three-run dinger that increased Kirk’s RBI total to 16.

For Kirk, it was his seventh hit in his past 10 at-bats, which includes a four-hit game in Seattle.

2. B GRADE FOR THE D

At least Chris Bassitt didn’t give up a home run, his chief nemesis of late.

He did pitch into the sixth inning against the Rays, who touched the veteran right-hander for seven hits, while striking out six times.

Bassitt gave up only one earned run.

Ernie Clement was stellar at second base, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was charged with a fielding error.

Even Kirk made a throwing error, but he more than atoned with his rocket into the outfield seats, a Statcast-measured 407 foot belt.

3. MAJOR MISCUE

What to make of Jonatan Clase remains an unknown.

Acquired at last year’s trade deadline from Seattle when the Jays sent Garcia to the Mariners, Clase has yet to establish himself in the big leagues.

Outside of his speed and ability to run the bases, there’s no real discernible skill set that separates Clase from the rest of the team’s fringe players.

Slotted in the ninth hole in the lineup, Clase struck out in his first two at-bats, including a three-pitch punch out with two on and one out.

The third strike was a 96 m.p.h. fastball right down the middle of the plate Clase would take.

His days with the big-league club might be drawing to an end.

In triple-A, Davis Schneider, who was on the Jays’ opening day roster, went deep for the second game in a row.

He has been raking of late.

Not surprisingly, Schneider has been doing his damage when facing left-handers.

More belts and fewer strikeouts and Schneider’s return to the majors seems assured.

UP NEXT

The three-game set wraps up with a Thursday matinee as the third member of Toronto’s Big 3 starters in Kevin Gausman is scheduled to be on the hill; both Jose Berrios, who started in the series opener, and Bassitt earned no-decisions; Gausman has rebounded from his 53-pitch inning in the Bronx; Gausman enters his ninth start with a 3-3 record.