Toronto Blue Jays Lose Pitching Duel Against Division Rivals


R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Blue Jays squared off against their division rivals Baltimore Orioles in the first of three games at Camden Yards earlier this evening. Starting pitchers J.A Happ and Chris Tillman locked horns in a pitcher duel through the first six innings of the contest.

The Blue Jays were poised to gain some ground on the 10-8 Orioles over their three games anxious to improve on their 8-11 record.

Happ has been arguably the best of the Jays starting five pitchers entering his start with a 2-1 record and continued to impress pitching six innings of four hit ball while fanning six Orioles hitters.

Orioles hurler Tillman was still searching for his first win of the season and hopeful to lower his 7.07 era on the opposite end of the diamond. Tillman kept the Jays guessing for 6.2 innings surrendering four hits while fanning three Jays batters.

Both teams remained scoreless until exchanging runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and top of the seventh innings respectively with the game being left in the hands of the bullpens.

The momentum shifted in the ninth inning when Blue Jays shortstop Munenori Kawasaki came up short on a throw to first extending the inning and loading the bases for Nick Markakis to be a hero. The Orioles right fielder delivers a two-strike knock to left field for the walk-off win.

Once again the Blue Jays defense cost them dearly in a game that was very winnable after a great start by Happ.

Clayton Richer covers the Toronto Blue Jays for Rant Sports. Follow and interact with him on Twitter at @MLBHotCornerFacebookand Google Plus.  

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