The Tampa Bay Rays (80-63) defeated the Toronto Blue Jays (81-63) 11-0 on Thursday afternoon at Rogers Centre in Toronto. The win puts the Rays a half game behind Toronto for the top AL Wild Card spot, and has Tampa Bay seven games behind the Yankees in the AL East standings.
The Rays struck with four in the second, thanks in large part to Yandy Diaz blasting a three-run home run. Isaac Paredes hit a solo shot in the seventh to make it 5-0. Tampa Bay then used a six-run ninth inning to turn this game into a blowout.
Shane McClanahan (12-5, 2.13) was brilliant in his return to the rotation from the IL, pitching five shutout innings in which he allowed three hits while striking out five and walking one.
The Rays now return home for a three game series against the Texas Rangers beginning on Friday night. First pitch from Tropicana Field on Friday is scheduled for 7:10 PM - pregame coverage begins with Jay Recher hosting the Inside Pitch at 6:00 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES