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Rays Open Series With Win Over Blue Jays

The Tampa Bay Rays (93-58) defeated the Toronto Blue Jays (84-66) 6-4 on Monday night at Tropicana Field. The win pushed the Rays magic number to clinch a playoff spot to 3, and their magic number to clinch the AL East to 5.

Shane Baz (1-0, 3.60) made his major league debut and was electric. He pitched five innings in which he allowed just two solo home runs - they were the only hits he gave up - while striking out five and walking none.

The Blue Jays built a 2-0 lead off Baz with homers from Teoscar Hernandez in the second and Lourdes Gurriel in the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth, the Rays answered with a three-run homer from Yandy Diaz to take a 3-2 lead. Kevin Kiermaier drove in a run in the sixth, Manuel Margot drove in a run in the seventh, and Joey Wendle hit a solo home run in the eighth to build a 6-2 lead.

Marcus Semien hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning to pull within 6-4, but that was as close as the Blue Jays would get. After the home run, Dietrich Enns came in to get the final out and pick up his second save of the season.

The Rays now look to win the three game series against the Blue Jays on Tuesday night. First pitch from Tropicana Field is scheduled for 7:10 PM - pregame coverage begins with Jay Recher hosting the Inside Pitch at 6:00 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.

PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES


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