The Tampa Bay Rays (47-35) fell to the Toronto Blue Jays (42-38) 11-1 on Friday night in Buffalo, New York. The loss is the ninth straight road loss for the Rays.
The Blue Jays scored early and often, coming through with a two-run home run from George Springer in the first, and added four more in the second to take an early 6-0 lead. Toronto kept adding on, pulling away late with a three run seventh and a run in the eighth en route to a blowout win. The Rays got their only offense in the top of the eighth inning when Brandon Lowe doubled in Francisco Mejia to avoid being shut out.
Luis Patino (1-2, 4.87) took the loss for the Rays after allowing seven runs, five of them earned, on seven hits while striking out five and walking one in five and one third innings of work. Alex Manoah (2-0, 2.70) kept the Rays hitters guessing all night, pitching seven shutout innings in which he allowed three hits while striking out ten and walking one.
The Rays look to bounce back when they meet the Blue Jays in the middle game of the three game series on Saturday afternoon. First pitch Saturday is scheduled for 3:07 PM - pregame coverage begins at 2:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES