The Blue Jays -- who were outscored, 31-7, in their three-game series against the Rays -- have been in this position before and bounced back, so all hope is not lost. There is time to make a run, and the players in Toronto's clubhouse insist that is going to happen. They just don't know when.
"We have to play better baseball, that's the bottom line," said acting manager DeMarlo Hale, who is in charge until John Gibbons returns from a three-game suspension.
"This is a good club in here -- accomplished hitters who have done things in this game.