Boyd's gem not enough in 5-2 loss in Tampa

Tampa, FL - Despite another lights-out performance by LHP Matt Boyd, the Blue Jays (75-55) squandered a late 2-0 lead and took a 5-2 loss to the Tampa Yankees (66-65) on Friday night at Steinbrenner Field.

Boyd allowed just two hits with one walk and eight strikeouts in six shutout innings to lower his ERA to 1.04 in 15 Florida State League starts. He left with a 2-0 lead thanks to a solo home run by LF Dwight Smith Jr. in the fourth inning (his 10th) and an RBI single from DH Shane Opitz in the sixth.

Once the Yankees got into the bullpen, however, their offense came to life. LHP Griffin Murphy (BS, 1) retired the first man he faced in the seventh, but Mike Ford reached on an infield single to spark the game-tying rally. Ericson Leonora lined a wall-ball double to left center to score Ford from first, and came around three batters later on a two-bagger by Mark Payton, evening the score at 2-2.

RHP Danny Barnes (L, 0-5) struck out Cito Culver to end the inning and strand the go-ahead run in scoring position, but Tampa's relentless offense delivered again in the eighth. Eric Jagielo drew a leadoff walk, Aaron Judge doubled him to third, and a single by Jose Rosario plated both runners to give the Yankees a 4-2 lead. Ford then lined a ball to center field that was dropped by CF Emilio Guerrero, plating another run.

Cesar Vargas (S, 9) recorded two strikeouts in a perfect ninth.

Taylor Garrison started for Tampa, and allowed just the homer to Smith through five strong innings. Conner Kendrick (W, 5-8) gave up Opitz' RBI single, but then retired the final seven men he faced to keep the Yankees within striking distance.

The game started at 7:55 after nearly an hour-long rain delay. The D-Jays will send RHP Jesse Hernanez to the hill on Saturday in Tampa, with first pitch scheduled for 6:00 p.m.