Tampa Bay Rays rain on Blue Jays' parade with Rogers Centre roof open

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The Blue Jays were hoping to climb above .500 for the first time since last month, when the team hit its high-water mark by sporting a 12-8 record.

If this season has underlined anything, it’s that the Jays aren’t good enough to sustain an extended stretch of solid play.

The Tampa Bay Rays leave town following a series win, which included the Rays’ 8-3 victory on Thursday in the rubber match of the three-game set.

At least the Rogers Centre roof was open for the first time this season.

The roof didn’t cave, though it did seem that way, on Kevin Gausman. His day involved being hit on his right hip by a comebacker, and eventually yielding 10 hits, including three home runs that led to six runs in 5.2 innings.

Tampa Bay starter Zack Littell pitched well and looked poised to become the first Rays starting pitcher since Ryan Yarbrough to pitch a complete game.

Through seven innings, Littell had thrown only 80 pitches.

Then came a seven-pitch span when Littell gave up a homer and double, which ended his day.

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The following are three takeaways on a day the Jays trailed 2-0 two batters into the game in an eventual loss that dropped Toronto’s record to 21-22.

DOUBLE TROUBLE

The day’s tone was set early when the Jays positioned themselves to respond to Tampa Bay’s two-run first inning.

With runners on base, Anthony Santander popped out in foul territory, as his struggles at the plate continued.

Up stepped George Springer, who has been hitting well.

Instead, he hit into a double play, the first of three for the Blue Jays, who seemed to have turned a corner following their 4-2 road swing that featured a three-game sweep in Seattle.

One step forward, two steps back is the trajectory the Jays have forged.

Toronto did hit three home runs on the day, although each one was a solo shot.

When Springer had a chance to tie the game in the eighth inning, he flew out. That came moments after Santander hit a screamer down the left-field line that went foul.

For that brief moment, the Jays threatened after spending virtually the entire game in catch-up mode.

DINGER DETAILS

In the Blue Jays’ first 30 games of the season, comprising March and April, the team hit a total of 19 home runs.

After those three solo shots Thursday, the Jays have recorded 19 homers in their 13 May games.

Addison Barger went deep for his second home run of the season, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his fifth (moving into a four-way tie for the club lead), and Nathan Lukes hit his third.

The Blue Jays had eight home runs in the series, including four in their 11-9 loss on Tuesday and Alejandro Kirk’s three-run blast on Wednesday.

LOWE DOWN

It was quite the beginning to the afternoon. Gausman surrendered a hit to Rays leadoff hitter Josh Lowe, which was followed by a two-run home run by Brandon Lowe (no relation).

In the home half, Bo Bichette reached base on a leadoff single, advanced to second on a walk and then took third on a heads-up play when he tagged up on a foul pop to catcher Danny Jansen, taking advantage of the Rays not covering third base.

Tampa Bay put its first two runners on base to begin the second inning, including a well-executed bunt down the third-base line.

A brutally executed bunt provided some comfort to the Jays, who would nonetheless see Jansen drive in a run as the Rays extended their lead, which was set up on a successful double steal.

A potential second RBI for the man known as Jano was denied when right-fielder Lukes threw out runner in Taylor Walls at the plate.

No way anyone was going to throw out Josh Lowe after he went deep for his first homer of the season.

No way the Jays were going to stage a late-game rally after Brandon Lowe crushed his second homer on the day.

Combined, the two Lowes recorded six hits, half went deep, and drove in five runs.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays’ longest home stand of the season continues this weekend featuring the surging Detroit Tigers, who have been battling with the New York Yankees atop the AL standings. The good news for the Jays is that they will not face Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, a lethal left-hander who has recorded 71 strikeouts, while posting a 2.67 ERA and a 4-2 record in 54.0 innings. The bad news for fans is that they will not be able to see Skubal pitch in Toronto.