The Tampa Bay Rays (11-10) defeated the Toronto Blue Jays (9-11) on Saturday night at Tropicana Field to even the three game series at one game apiece.
For the second night in a row the Blue Jays scored with a big first inning - this time it was Randal Grichuk hitting a three-run blast in the top of the first inning to give Toronto a 3-0 lead. The Rays answered with a Mike Zunino solo shot in the second and a Mike Brosseau two-run bomb in the sixth to tie the game 3-3.
The Rays took the lead in the eighth, taking advantage of Toronto defensive miscues to take the lead on a fielding error by Blue Jays third baseman Cavan Biggio. Kevin Kiermaier drove in another run to make it 5-3 and that score would hold for the Rays to pick up the win.
Brent Honeywell allowed three earned runs in one inning as the opener, before giving way to Ryan Yarbrgouh who pitched five and two thirds shutout innings. Ryan Thompson (2-1, 3.18) picked up the win after a scoreless inning of relief, and Andrew Kittredge picked up his first save of the season after pitching a scoreless ninth.
The Rays now look to win the three game series against the Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon. First pitch from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg is scheduled for 1:10 PM - pregame coverage begins with This Week In Rays Baseball at 11:30 AM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your home of the Rays.
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