The Tampa Bay Rays (75-63) continued their hot surge, shutting out the Blue Jays (62-76) 4-0 on Tuesday night at Rogers Centre in Toronto.
Seven pitchers combined to secure the shutout. The Blue Jays best chance to score came in the first inning when the Blue Jays had runners at first and third with one out - however, Kendrys Morales was caught attempting to steal second after Randal Grichuk struck out and the Blue Jays threat was extinguished.
Ryne Stanek opened the game for the Rays and worked the first inning, and Hunter Wood (1-1, 4.18) pitched the next two innings to pick up the win. Jalen Beeks, Jose Alvarado, Diego Castillo and Adam Kolarek combined to set Sergio Romo up to pick up his 19th save by getting the final two outs of the game.
Offensively, the Rays struck fin the second inning when Mallex Smith had an RBI groundout that scored Kevin Kiermaier and gave Tampa Bay an early 1-0 lead. In the seventh the bats came alive for the Rays, with Ji-Man Choi doubling in a run, Tommy Pham following with an RBI triple, and Matt Duffy driving him in to take a 4-0 lead that would prove far too much for the Blue Jays to contend with.
The Rays now look to sweep the Blue Jays went they battle Toronto on Wednesday Night. First pitch from the Rogers Centre is set for 7:07 - you can hear the game, beginning with Steve Carney and the Inside Pitch at 6 on 620 WDAE & 95.3 FM.