‘Overamped’ Snell endures shortest start

TORONTO — Most everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong for Blake Snell during the Rays’ 7-0 loss to the Blue Jays on Wednesday night at Rogers Centre.

“That is the first time we’ve really seen him struggle,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “I think it was a combination of him being a little overamped. It wasn’t for a lack of stuff. He had the stuff going. It was lack of command and location with his pitches.

“But I think this atmosphere could have brought out a little extra energy that maybe he hasn’t felt, and trying to control himself might have been a little bit difficult.”

Cash was referencing the Rogers Centre crowd of 45,501 in attendance.

The prized rookie left-hander had been particularly good in his previous five starts, going 2-1 with a 2.15 ERA and striking out 36 in 29 1/3 innings. But the first inning set a negative tone for what would become Snell’s shortest Major League outing.

Devon Travis singled to left to lead off the Blue Jays’ first. Josh Donaldson then lofted a foul ball down the right-field line that right fielder Steven Souza Jr. camped under for what should have been the first out. Instead, the ball squirted out of Souza’s glove.

“I dropped it,” Souza said. “I mean, I had to run a long way. But …

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