The Tampa Bay Rays (27-17) defeated the Toronto Blue Jays (23-20) 9-7 in twelve innings on Friday night in Dunedin. The win gave the Rays their eighth straight win on an emotional day that saw them say goodbye to shortstop Willy Adames earlier in the day, as he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Toronto built a 3-0 lead in the first two innings thanks to RBIs from Vladimir Guerrero, Jr, Teoscar Hernandez and Marcus Semien. Brandon Lowe hit two home runs for the Rays to keep pace, and Ji-Man Choi hit a home run in the sixth inning that would tie the game 5-5, which would be the score after nine innings.
In the twelfth inning it would be Francisco Meijia hitting a grand slam to give the Rays a 9-5 lead. Though the Blue Jays got two runs back in the bottom of the twelfth, it would not be enough and the Rays would hold on for their eighth straight win.
Tyler Glasnow allowed five earned runs on nine hits while striking out two and walking one in four and two-thirds innings of work in the start. Diego Castillo (1-2, 3.57) picked up the win after coming in to end the eleventh inning and get the three outs he needed in the twelfth inning to close out the win.
The Rays and Blue Jays now meet in game two of the three game series on Saturday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:37 - pregame coverage begins at 7:00 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES