ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. _ The Rays knew it wasn't going to be that easy.
The way they were swinging the bats, scoring eight plus runs a game. The way they were rolling, winning six in a row and eight of nine. The way their schedule was lining up, with 21 games against teams with losing records.
Something was going to go wrong.
Monday started badly, with news that Yonny Chirinos, one of their few remaining healthy starters, would be sidelined for at least a month due to right middle finger inflammation.
And it ended worse, with a 2-0 loss to the Blue Jays.
That offense, shut out and pretty much shut down, held to FIVE hits by Jacob Waguespack and three equally non-descript relievers.
That winning streak, over and done, as the Rays dropped to 65-49 and potentially out of the second wild card spot they've held.
And while the Jays pitchers did a good job and Lakewood High product Bo Bichette made the most of an eventful homecoming with a leadoff double and a homer, the Rays did themselves in as well.
Rookie Mike Brosseau caught getting back to second base late when they were threatening in the seventh was the most egregious of their mistakes, which included some other wasted opportunities, going 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
And as for that schedule, well, that's why people in the game always say no game is never a given.
Rays manager Kevin Cash knew that going in, noting that even though they traded several veteran pitchers, the Jays might have a more dangerous team by promoting Bichette from Triple-A and acquiring outfielder Derek Fisher from Houston to add a promising young core.
"Knowing (manager Charlie Montoyo) and that staff, he's going to get the most out of these young guys," Cash said. "They're going to play with a lot of energy, a lot of athleticism. It'll be a three-day challenge."
Charlie Morton gave the Rays a solid start, allowing single runs in the first and third but nothing else, working seven innings, striking out nine while giving up seven hits total.
