The Tampa Bay Rays (24-22) defeated the Toronto Blue Jays (19-24) 4-3 on Friday night in Toronto. It was the third straight win for Tampa Bay, who won the final two games they played in Boston.
It was a memorable night for Rays starting pitcher Tyler Alexander (2-2, 5.17). He retired the first 22 Blue Jays batters he faced - with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning Danny Jansen singled to become the first Toronto base runner of the night.
The Rays had built a 4-0 lead at that point, and would need every one of those runs, as the Blue Jays got three runs off Alexander in the eighth inning before the bullpen was able to limit the damage. All told Alexander ffinished with three earned runs allowed on three hits in seven and one-third innings of work while striking out four and walking none. He threw 105 pitches on the night.
Manuel Rodriguez was able to get the final two outs of the eighth inning, before Pete Fairbanks worked a perfect ninth to hearn his fourth save of the season.
The Rays and Blue Jays now meet in the second game of their three game series on Saturday afternoon in Toronto. Zach Eflin (3-4, 3.91) is scheduled to start for the Rays, and face Kevin Gausman (2-3, 4.95) for the Blue Jays. First pitch is scheduled for 3:07 PM - Chris Adams-Wall begins pregame coverage at 2:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES