The Tampa Bay Rays broke their seven game losing streak by defeating the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night. The win put the Rays back in first place in the American League East after they lost the lead right before the All Star Break. The 2-1 win moved the Rays to 56-39 on the season.
James Shields started for the Rays and was very sharp as he picked up the victory. Shields lasted seven innings and gave up only one earned run. He struck out four batters while walking two and allowing only four hits. Shields is now 8-6 this season. Grant Balfour came on in the eighth inning with two outs and got the final four outs of the game, striking out three batters. He has four saves on the year.
The Rays batters could not figure out the Blue Jays starter, AJ Burnett. They got both of their runs in the seventh inning on a two run homer from Ben Zobrist. Akinoria Iwamura was the only Rays batter with more than one hit as he picked up two hits. BJ Upton struggled as he went 0-4 with three strike outs.
The Rays and Jays will play again on Saturday night. Matt Garza will go up against Roy Halladay of the Jays. Game time is 6:05pm.
