surprise announcements, nor was he worried about being grilled despite promises

The Toronto Blue Jays will try to right the ship Friday night when they enter Tropicana Field to kick off a three-game set with the Tampa Bay Rays. Toronto shared the American League East lead with Baltimore just over a week ago and held a six-game lead as recently as June 6. But while the Orioles have continued stringing together wins, the Blue Jays have lost six of their last seven. They got a much needed day off Thursday after coughing up a pair of leads in an 8-7 loss to the Angels a day earlier. Reliever Aaron Loup served up the go- ahead homer to Albert Pujols in the seventh inning, breaking Loups streak of 59 straight relief appearances without giving up a homer. "We (gave) away a good opportunity," manager John Gibbons said. "We had the lead, coughed it up, took a slim lead. It was disappointing, it really was." Starter Marcus Stroman was chased after yielding six runs (five earned) in only 3 2/3 innings. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay had won eight of nine on the road before returning home to face Kansas City for a three-game set this week. However, the Rays lost that series after the Royals rallied for a 5-4 victory on Wednesday. Rays right fielder Kevin Kiermaier belted his first career grand slam in the fourth inning to erase a two-run deficit. However, that was also the last time Tampa Bay scored in the game. In the top of the ninth, reliever Kirby Yates gave up the decisive three-run homer to All-Star Salvador Perez. Tampa Bay was just 3-for-18 with runners in scoring position during the three-game series, including 1-for-9 on Wednesday. "I understand we lost by a run on a three-run homer in the ninth inning," manager Joe Maddon said. "But we left a lot of chicken on the bone and you just cant do that stuff." Maddon will hand the ball to Chris Archer to start Fridays series opener. The right-hander is coming off his deepest outing of the season at Detroit on Saturday, as he went 8 1/3 innings and gave up two runs on six hits to earn his fifth win. "It was my best game so far (this season), but there is room to grow," he said. "Im going to continue to execute pitches better." Archer has thrown seven or more innings in each of his last three starts. Taking the mound for Toronto is veteran southpaw Mark Buehrle, who has lost his last five decisions despite a 3.60 ERA over that span. Buehrles last win was back on June 1, although he is 10-1 when the Blue Jays give him two or more runs of support. Toronto has won five of the seven head-to-head meetings between these two teams this season. This marks the final series before the All-Star break. Cheap Rams Jerseys Authentic .com) - John Wall supplied 24 points and 11 assists in leading the Washington Wizards to a 102-91 win over the New York Knicks on Christmas Day. 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They kick things off Friday against the Buffalo Sabres and then head to Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs on Saturday.TORONTO -- Andrew Stein and Glenn Macaulay bought into the Blue Jays hype. Best friends since kindergarten and lifelong baseball fans, the pair were swept up in the promise of 2013 and purchased season tickets. From the top level of Rogers Centre above home plate they watched as Toronto slumped through the spring then came alive during an 11-game winning streak only to finish last in the AL East. Excitement isnt a word they used to describe their hopes for 2014. "I wouldnt say worried," said Stein. "Not optimistic," said Macaulay. "Yeah, not optimistic," said Stein. "Maybe slightly uneasy that its just going to be a repeat of last year." Stein and Macaulay were among the Blue Jays season ticket holders at Rogers Centre on Wednesday for the teams annual State of the Franchise event. Team president and CEO Paul Beeston, general manager Alex Anthopoulos and manager John Gibbons were on hand to take questions as jazz played throughout the stadium and food and drinks were handed out to fans wondering just what the state of the team is. Anthopoulos had no surprise announcements, nor was he worried about being grilled despite promises of change going unfulfilled during a quiet off-season. "When you dont have a good season you expect theres criticism that comes with that, that goes without saying, thats part of it," he said. "But again, these fans, I think its a different type of setting because these are the season-seat holders. They support the club. They love the team good and bad. Obviously were here to be accountable and to make ourselves available to talk and answer whatever questions they might have." Torontos only notable acquisition has been catcher Dioner Navarro, who was brought on to replace J.P. Arencibia. Navarro, who hit .300 with 13 home runs and 34 RBIs in 240 at-bats with the Chicago Cubs last season, barely made the splash that all-stars Jose Reyes or R.A. Dickey did when Toronto traded for them prior to last season. "(Navarro will) be serviceable. Im not going to buy his jersey or anything," said Stein. The Blue Jays real need, the one Anthopoulos promised would be his winter focus, is starting pitching. Dickey, coming off a Cy Young season, struggled, although not as badly as Josh Johnson. J.A. Happ missed time after being hit in the head by a frightening comebacker in May, while Brandon Morrows season ended in July with a forearm injury.dddddddddddd Only Mark Buehrle, who also had a slow start to the season, performed to expectation. Torontos rotation finished with a 4.81 earned-run average last season, second worst in the majors, and the starters 899.1 innings pitched were 28th in baseball. But Toronto has stood pat during the off-season. Japanese phenom Masahiro Tanaka was signed by the New York Yankees before veteran Matt Garza joined the Milwaukee Brewers. Several pitchers such as Ervin Santana and Ubaldo Jimenez still remain on the market, but Anthopoulos said progress has been slowed by free agents who cost teams draft picks. That doesnt apply to the Blue Jays -- theyve got two protected first-round draft picks. But Anthopoulos remained non-committal. "We like some of the upside of the guys that are coming back. Wed still like to add," he said. "I think weve been very open about that. I dont know whats going to happen obviously between now and the start of camp. "Depending on how free agency goes or even the trade market, maybe its beyond that, but we are excited about some of the guys coming back, especially some of the young guys. Theres upside to the performance of a lot of these guys. But at the same time were still going to be active and try to get a starter." Whereas Anthopoulos could only ask fans to stick by the team, Gibbons said hes looking ahead after making peace with 2013. "After I was home for about two weeks I said, you know what, its time for a new season," said Gibbons. "Ive always been an optimistic guy. Its smart to look back and look at some areas to do things differently maybe to improve some things. But in the end youve got to turn the page and its a new start here in the next two months." Gibbons, who heard plenty of calls for his dismissal last season, isnt worried about the direction of the team. He acknowledged fans frustrations, and that there wont be as much good will in April as there was last year. "It sure would be nice me coming in here feeling good going to this thing having won something, but until you do that youre just hoping and dreaming. So hopefully we can do that." What, then, is the state of the Blue Jays? Ask again on Opening Day. 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