The Tampa Bay Rays (29-19) scored four runs in the ninth inning to claim a 6-4 win over the Toronto Blue Jays (23-22) Sunday afternoon in Dunedin. The win gives Tampa Bay at least a series win in the four game series against the Blue Jays, and their tenth consecutive win overall.
The Rays got an RBI single from Manuel Margot and a home run from Francisco Mejia as their only offense through the first eight innings, and went into the ninth trailing 4-2. After Brett Phillips singled in a run in the top of the ninth to pull within 4-3, Travis Bergen came into pitch for the Blue Jays with the bases loaded. He struggled with control, allowing three consecutive bases loaded walks to turn a 4-3 Blue Jays lead into a 6-4 Rays advantage, which would be the final score.
Michael Wacha got the start for the Rays and pitched two innings of shutout baseball while allowing just one hit and striking out one. Josh Fleming (4-3, 2.88) got the win, pitching six innings out of the bullpen in which he allowed ofur earned runs on eight hits while striking out two and walking one. Newly acquired J.P. Feyereisen, who joined the team Saturday after having been traded from Milwaukee in the deal that sent shortstop Willy Adames to the Brewers, got the save after pitching a scoreless ninth.
The Rays and Blue Jays now wrap up the four game series in Dunedin on Monday afternoon with Tampa Bay looking four a four game sweep. First pitch from Dunedin is scheduled for 1:07 PM Monday - pregame coverage begins with John Mamola and the Inside Pitch at noon on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES