James Shields helps Tampa Bay Rays beat Toronto Blue Jays 4-1 in series opener – MLB Update
Tampa Bay Rays beat Toronto Blue Jays 4-1 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida on Tuesday, August 7 in the opening game of their three match series.
Second baseman Sean Rodriguez earned an RBI single to right in the second inning to put Tampa Bay on the board. Evan Longoria and Jeff Keppinger also made the most of scoring opportunities in the third to extend Rays’ lead to 3-0. Ben Zobrist doubled to
right in closing stages of the game to deny Toronto any chance of coming back into the contest.
"It's weird going into a game just trying to make it out healthy," Longoria said. "Sometimes it's little things that are important, and today was a huge stepping stone. There was nothing about today that was negative. No setbacks, I felt great."
Starting pitcher James Shields produced another powerful performance as he gave up just a run in eight solid innings. Striking-out six, he improved his win-loss record to 10-7. For Blue Jays, Colby Rasmus connected for a solo home-run in the fourth inning
to score the only run.
"I stayed aggressive," Shields said. "I think I've turned the corner. Hopefully I get on a little roll here."
"I'm just as happy as anyone else that Longo is back," Shields said. "Just to see him back in the clubhouse and see him out on the field. He's the leader in this clubhouse, that's what it comes down to."
In some ways, it will be an extremely important series for both teams. Rays are placed third on the American League East Division standings and they still have a slim chance of reaching the post season.
Manager Joe Maddon will be expecting the players to bring more consistency in their performances so the Rays have their best possibility of making it through to the playoffs.
Blue Jays, on the other hand, are sitting at the bottom of AL East standings but they are just six games behind the second placed Baltimore Orioles. Blue Jays’ Manager John Farrell will be hoping to snatch one of the wild card spots to cheer up their disappointed
fans.
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