The Skinny: The Tampa Bay Rays scored three runs in the first twelve innings of the game tonight against the Jays, but put up five in the thirteenth and final inning. The Rays took their series with their division rival and are now 18-16 on the year.
The Pitching: Edwin Jackson started for the Rays and was almost perfect. Jackson threw eight shut out innings, striking out three but only walking one hitter. Jackson lowered his ERA to 4.04 on the year. The Rays brought on Troy Percival in the ninth to close it out and he just didn’t get it done. Up until tonight he hadn’t given up a run all season, but coughed up three in the 9th to allow the Jays to tie it up. JP Howell threw three scoreless innings to get the win.
The Hitting: The Rays got homers in the fifth and seventh innings to go up 3-0 heading into the ninth inning. After allowing the Jays to tie it up in the ninth, the Rays got five runs in the 13th inning. They went up 4-3 on a Carl Crawford sacrifice fly and then blew it wide open with a Dioner Navarro grand slam to make it 8-3. Navarro went 3-6 with 4 RBI to lead the Rays offense.
What’s Next?: The Rays have wrapped up their series with the Rays and are now getting ready to take on the Los Angeles Angels. James Shields will get the start in the opener on Friday night. Game time is 7:10pm.
