Rays squeak pass Blue Jays
In a game that saw very few hits and even less runs, the Tampa Bay Rays pulled out a 2-1 win over Toronto on Wednesday in a defensive battle.
After watching the Blue Jays score a 10 runs in a single inning on Tuesday and given that the Rays can explode at any time, it was surprising to see such a low scoring affair. The pitchers' duel between Tampa Bay's David Price and Toronto’s Shaun Marcum was impressive as both aces simply had their way against opposing hitters.
Through the first four innings, the game was scoreless, until John Buck launched a solo homer deep into center field to give to give the Blue Jays a 1-0 led. The Rays responded in the bottom of the inning after Sean Rodriguez homered off Shaun Marcum, to tie the game.
"He's hurt me all year," said Marcum of Rodriguez, who also blasted a second-inning triple. "Seems like every time I face him he gets a hit off of me -- a double, a homer, I don't know what it is. I get ahead of him then I hang a pitch or he works the count until it's in his favour and I have to throw a strike. He's done a great job of barrelling the ball up and hitting in the gap, or hitting it over the fence."
Rodriguez went 3-for-3 at the plate with an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base. The Rays squandered a bases-loaded chance later in that inning and had a chance to add some runs. But they didn’t need it as Evan Longoria sealed the deal for the Rays by driving a grounder up the left side to score teammate Ben Zobrist from second base with the game-winner in the eighth inning to hand Toronto their third loss in four games.
Price (16-6) earned his 16th victory of the season by pitching eight solid innings, allowing four hits and striking out seven batters. Rays second baseman Rodriguez was happy for his starting pitcher. “Unbelievable,” he said. “That's the Price we've come to know and love right there."
Meanwhile Marcum gave up five hits in six frames. "Marcum pitched a good game and so did Price," Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston said. "We just came up a little short." Marcum was replaced by Shawn Camp.
The Rays, who posted their fourth victory in five games, improved their record to 82-51.
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