Tyler Alexander held a perfect game until the eighth inning when Danny Jansen hit a single. Despite this, 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’ lead with a two-run home run, helping them maintain a 4-0 advantage. The team has now won 10 out of their last 14 games.
Palacios praised Alexander’s performance, highlighting his skill in mixing up pitches and finding his spots effectively. Tampa Bay has been performing well in series openers, winning five of their last six.
Alexander retired the first 22 batters he faced, showcasing strong pitching throughout the game. Although Jansen’s single broke the perfect game bid, Alexander remained focused and continued to pitch effectively.
Reflecting on his performance, Alexander mentioned his awareness of the situation as he progressed deeper into the game. Despite the pressure, he remained composed and focused on executing his pitches.
Jansen’s single came on Alexander’s 97th pitch, followed shortly by a home run from Davis Schneider, narrowing Toronto’s deficit. Despite the late challenge, Alexander finished strong, ending the game with a career-high 105 pitches.
