Blue Jays starter Mark Buehrle got the start in the final game of the regular season on Sunday against the Rays, an attempt by manager John Gibbons to get the veteran to the 200-inning mark for a 15th consecutive season. Unfortunately, Buehrle didn’t have anything working, allowing eight runs -- all unearned -- on five hits, a walk, and two errors while recording only two outs. The biggest hit was a grand slam by Joey Butler which made it 6-0.
Buehrle, who is reportedly retiring, will end his season with a 15-8 record, a 3.81 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP, and a 91/33 K/BB ratio in 198 2/3 innings.
Sunday’s game wasn’t entirely meaningless for the Blue Jays, as they entered the afternoon trailing the Royals by one game for home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Royals, however, took an early 5-0 lead around the same time the Jays fell behind the Rays.