Blue Jays win streak halted at 7 in 3-1 loss

Viera, FL - The Blue Jays' win streak ended at seven today, as the Brevard County Manatees topped the Jays in a pitchers' duel, 3-1.

LHP Matt Boyd started for the Blue Jays and received a no-decision, the first start of the year in which Boyd did not earn the win. He tossed 6.0 innings, allowing just one run, which came on a homer by Tyrone Taylor in the third inning. Taylor's homerun marked the first run that Boyd surrendered in 2014 after pitching 19.2 scoreless frames to begin the season; his ERA now stands at 0.39. Boyd punched out a season-high nine batters and now leads the FSL with 25 strikeouts.

Manatees starter RHP Tyler Wagner received a no-decision, as well. Wagner, who pitched 6.0 shutout frames, left the game with a one-run lead. He struck out six Jays while surrendering just four hits.

The Blue Jays tied the game in the seventh inning off of RHP Austin Ross. Ross loaded the bases with three consecutive one-out singles to 3B Gustavo Pierre, SS Jorge Flores and 2B Christian Lopes. LF Dwight Smith, Jr. drove in the run on a fielder's choice to the second baseman.

With LHP Efrain Nieves (L, 0-1) on the mound, Brevard County recaptured the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. Mike Garza led off with a single before Taylor was hit by a pitch. A wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position, and Cameron Garfield singled both runners in to make it a 3-1 ballgame. Nieves received his first loss of the year after pitching 1.1 innings.

Despite allowing the D-Jays lone run, Ross (BS, 1) (W, 1-0) earned the victory for the 'Tees. RHP Tanner Poppe entered in the ninth and recorded his fifth save in as many opportunities.

Sunday is a league-wide off day for the Florida State League. The Blue Jays continue play on Monday when they travel to Lakeland to face the Flying Tigers. RHP Taylor Cole (2-0, 2.55 ERA) will take the mound for the D-Jays. LHP Jordan John (1-1, 7.82 ERA) will start for Lakeland.