TORONTO _ The Rays had done so much right in making their entertaining, exciting and endearing September run to make it a race for the final American League playoff spot.
But it was what they couldn't do Thursday night, get the final three outs of a game they led by six runs, that ultimately will have done them in.
The shocking 9-8 loss to the Blue Jays didn't officially eliminate the Rays, but it certainly was a staggering blow.
Combined with the second wild-card-holding A's earlier squeaking past the Angels, the Rays now find themselves 6 { games back with only 10 to play.
"This one definitely hurts," third baseman Matt Duffy said. "It's obviously disappointing. ... This one definitely puts us in a difficult position. We're going to bounce back, we're going to do what we can. Mathematically, we're still in it, so we're going to keep going until this thing is over."
Or, as center fielder Mallex Smith said, "It sucks, period."
Having rallied from an early 2-0 deficit, the Rays seemed to be rolling toward another win, having won five straight, 14 of 17 September games, and 23 of 28 to get at least into the conversation if not the actual race.
But that all went awry, and their chances pretty much away, in an ugly ninth.
Rookie reliever Jaime Schultz made a big mess, allowing one run on a pair of doubles and then, much worse, after getting only one out, three on a homer by Danny Jansen to make it 8-6.
"It kind of unfolded pretty fast," Schultz said. "Especially when the team is rolling like this it's tough to let these guys down, especially the way they performed today, go out there and put up a big lead. They expect you to do your job, and I couldn't come through."
The bullpen, which had been ready to pack up, instead had to unexpectedly get warmed up. Sergio Romo got the second out, but a Kendry Morales blooper dropped in right-center between three Rays, though manager Kevin Cash said none could've caught it. Romo then gave up a tying homer to Lourdes Gurriel. And on the next pitch, the game-ender to Justin Smoak, against whom the Rays earlier had played a four-man outfield.
In a 2-0 hole after a rough open by Ryne Stanek and a meager offensive showing in which they saw 11 total pitches from Jays righty Sam Gaviglio in grounding out six times, the Rays rallied.
A leadoff single and stolen base in the fourth by Duffy and extra-base hits by Tommy Pham and Joey Wendle got them even. A pinch-hit single in the sixth by Willy Adames put them ahead. And a five-run rally in the seventh, keyed by Duffy, Pham and Wendle and highlighted by a bases-clearing C.J. Cron single, let them relax.
That approach had been a key to their success. A relaxed clubhouse and a culture built around fun is a big part, as has been the ability to focus on what they have to do, not getting wrapped up in what else has to happen, concerning themselves just with their game.
Consider Thursday afternoon.
Though the A's were playing the opening innings of their game against the Angels while the Rays were in the clubhouse before batting practice, there was not a lot of attention being paid.
That was fine with Cash, given his preference they feel no outside pressure. "I didn't even know they were playing," he said. "What's the score?"
Told the A's were leading 5-1, on their way to a 21-3 win, Cash said, "Hopefully that doesn't ruin our day. I don't think anybody's too concerned about it. They'd rather listen to their poor choice music and play on their iPads."
The four-man outfield was the latest move in memorable year in many other ways.
The most impactful thing the Rays did was introduce and implement the innovative strategy of using a game opener _ a pitcher to work just the first and maybe second inning _ and then usually, though not always, followed by a converted starter who works multiple innings.
Most creative? Well, they played lefty reliever Jose Alvarado at first base, so he could stay in the game and face another lefty. Then they similarly let Romo play third. And don't forget using Carlos Gomez at second, plus a very forgettable turn as one of four position players who pitched.
Not quite as out there but more practical, on Thursday they unveiled a four-man outfield alignment _ a 3-4 defense, if you well _ against Jays lefty Smoak, with second baseman Brandon Lowe shifting to right-center. And lest we think it was spur of the moment, it was planned enough for Lowe to have stashed an outfield glove in the Rays bullpen beyond the right-field fence.
Unless the Rays make the playoffs, the introduction of the opener, which has since been tried by a half-dozen teams and considered by others, will be their most significant contribution.
Especially since, for the most part, it has worked, and well, since the May 19 debut. That shows most importantly among other ways, in how the Rays, going into Thursday, had the AL's best ERA over that span, 3.26.
