Opening day optimism lasts only so long as Rays beat up by Blue Jays

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Opening day is about renewal, festivities, pomp and some circumstance. And optimism. Maybe more than anything else, optimism.

The Rays went into the afternoon with plenty.

Manager Kevin Cash spoke of the deep belief the team has in the returning and new talent on its roster. Principal owner Stuart Sternberg talked about pushing the payroll to record heights so “the train keeps rolling” toward a sixth consecutive playoff berth. A Tropicana Field sellout crowd of 25,025 roared through the smoke-and-flashing-lights introductions of the starters.

And up until halfway through what ended up a disappointing 8-2 loss to Toronto, they had reason to feel good about how things would turn out.

Though tied with the Blue Jays through five innings after an exchange of homers, they had their ace, Zach Eflin, in control on the mound. He had allowed just the one hit (George Springer’s homer in the fourth), and thrown only 55 pitches.

But things changed rapidly in the sixth.

Eflin got one out, then allowed a homer to No. 9 hitter Cavan Biggio. He got another grounder for the second out. Then he couldn’t get anyone out.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. followed with a massive homer to center — seemingly shortchanged on an announced measurement of 450 feet — to make it 3-1.

An infield single by Lakewood High product Bo Bichette, a pitch that hit Justin Turner and a four-pitch walk to Daulton Varsho loaded the bases.

Pitching coach Kyle Snyder went to the mound to talk with Eflin, and the Rays stuck with him as he worked against the lower half of the Toronto order.

But Alejandro Kirk laced a single to center that scored two, and ex-Ray Kevin Kiermaier singled in another to make it 6-1.

That ended what turned into a disappointing day for Eflin, who spoke about the pride and honor he felt in making the opening day start for the team he grew up watching. And how 20-plus relatives were making the trip over from their Orlando-area homes.

The game marked a stark difference for the Rays from last season, when they won their opener at home against the Tigers and then their next 12 games. The 13-game winning streak matched the modern record, shared by the 1982 Braves and 1987 Brewers. They didn’t lose their first game until April 14, against the Blue Jays.

Yandy Diaz, who won the American League batting title, did get off to a good start, going 3 for 4 with a leadoff homer.