Blue Jays get shut down by Chris Archer, lose Jose Reyes to injury

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The Toronto Blue Jays lost more than just the game Thursday, they also lost their shortstop. Jose Reyes left the contest after just one inning. Reyes, who has been battling an oblique injury early in the season, aggravated the issue during his first at-bat.

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Reyes was retired on a ground ball to second base, and was seen visibly upset in the dugout following the play. He threw his helmet down in anger before walking back to the clubhouse.

Reyes will miss the next three games due to the issue. There’s still a chance he’ll wind up being placed on the 15-day disabled list, but it depends on how much the injury recovers over the next couple days.

The injury only bothers Reyes when he hits from the left side. He said he’s been dealing with pain since April 10, but things got worse Thursday, according to Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com.

“I was playing through it, but I feel like yesterday, and today, it kind of got worse,” Reyes said. “I kind of backed off a little bit, because that’s dangerous.”

Reyes’ injury was the first loss for the Blue Jays, but not the last. The team was dominated by Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Chris Archer during the contest. Archer gave up just two hits over seven scoreless innings. He struck out 11 Blue Jays.

Toronto was eventually able to score two runs, but it was not enough. The Rays took the matchup 4-2. Archer improved to 2-1 with the win.

AARON HILL COMES THROUGH IN EXTRAS

Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Aaron Hill finished off the San Francisco Giants on Thursday, hitting the game-winning double in the 12th inning.

The Diamondbacks took a 4-3 lead into the ninth, but closer Addison Reed couldn’t nail down the save. Reed allowed a leadoff single, but was quickly able to grab two outs against the next two hitters. With the Giants down to their final chance, Joe Panik managed an RBI triple, extending the game.

Arizona answered right back, as A.J. Pollock hit a solo shot in the 10th inning. The Giants refused to go quietly, however, as Matt Duffy tied the game in the bottom of the inning with an RBI single.

Aaron Hill would finally come through with the game-winning knock in the 12th. With two men on base, Hill doubled both runs home, giving the D-Backs a 7-5 lead.

The Giants would scratch one run across the plate in the bottom half of the inning, but couldn’t complete the come back.

HOME RUNS SINK HAMELS AGAIN

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels has had trouble keeping the ball in the yard early this season. Coming into his third start, Hamels had given up five long balls.

Those issues continued against the Washington Nationals on Thursday. This time, Hamels wasted no time getting his first home run out of the way.

On the first pitch he threw, Hamels gave up a solo home run to Yunel Escobar on a 90 mph fastball. It was the fifth time in Escobar’s career that he led off a game with a home run.

Hamels was able to settle in over the next three innings before giving up his next shot. Outfielder Michael Taylor struck this time, leading off the fifth inning with a solo home run.

Hamels would wind up allowing five runs over six innings during the loss. With the two home runs, Hamels has now allowed a league-high seven long balls thus far. He passed Brandon McCarthy, who has given up six dingers in just two starts.

JOHN LACKEY SHUTS DOWN MILWAUKEE

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher John Lackey turned in a strong performance during Thursday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers. The 36-year-old tossed seven scoreless innings, giving up just five hits. He struck out eight Brewers and allowed just one walk.

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Lackey was matched by Mike Fiers throughout most of the contest. The two tossed zeroes on the scoreboard for five straight seasons before Fiers cracked in the bottom of the sixth. Fiers would give up a double and two singles during the frame, allowing two runs.

That was all the support Lackey needed. The Cardinals won the contest 4-0, giving Lackey his first win of the year.

Want to see the rest of Thursday’s MLB action? Check out our scoreboard.

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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik

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