The Tampa Bay Rays (76-50) defeated the Toronto Blue Jays (62-66) 7-6 on Wednesday night at Tropicana Field to even the three-game series at a game apiece.
Yandy Diaz hit a two-run homer in the first inning to give the Rays an early lead. Tampa Bay then added five runs in the fourth inning to take control of this game, leading 7-1 after four complete. The Blue Jays answered with four in the fifth and one in the sixth to pull within 7-6, but that would be as close as the Rays would get.
Drew Rasmussen (13-5, 3.01) got the win allowing five runs - all of them earned - on seven hits in five innings of work in which he struck out five and walked two. Bryan Baker worked a scoreless ninth inning to earn his 36th save of the season.
The Rays will now try to win the three-game series against the Blue Jays when they meet in the finale on Thursday afternoon. First pitch on Thursday is scheduled for 1:10 PM - pregame coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting Inside Pitch at high noon on 95.7 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES