Tampa Bay Rays crush Toronto Blue Jays 9-4 to win series – MLB Update
Tampa Bay Rays crushed Toronto Blue Jays 9-4 at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario on Thursday, April 19 in the finale of their three match series of the 2012 Major League Baseball.
Rays’ third baseman Evan Longoria once again showed some great hitting skills as he hit a towering two run home run and he came within a triple of the cycle. Desmond Jennings also made a useful contribution with his solo shot and the Rays secured an easy 9-4 win to take the series.
"Like I'll always say, it's about winning," Longoria said. "We've got some good momentum going home. It's a relief to finally hit another one. They feel good when you get a chance to round the bases."
"Today was an outstanding game, one of those career days," Carlos Pena said of Longoria. "It was an awesome game for him."
Jeremy Hellickson won his second start for Tampa Bay, allowing three runs and three walks in just over five innings.
"Overall not bad, but still not as sharp as he can be," manager Joe Maddon said.
The Rays had made an ordinary start to their three match encounter with the Blue Jays, losing the opening game 7-3. However, they made an astonishing come back in the following game to secure a comfortable 12-2 win. With their win over the Blue Jays on Thursday evening, the Rays have now improved their away win-loss record 4-6.
The biggest problem for the Rays this season has been inconsistency. Joe Maddon and his men have looked brilliant at times but produced too many unforced on other occasions.
It will not be fair to say that the Rays were not fully prepared for the regular season as they fought hard in each game of 2012 Spring Training Session. The way they dominated New York Yankees in their opening series of the season is a clear indication of the threats they pose to other teams in American League.
It will be interesting to see if the Rays can bring more consistency into their game play to give themselves a better chance of making through to the playoffs.
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