• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Rays-Blue Jays Preview

Jul 26, 2009 - 12:07 AM By DAN PIERINGER STATS Writer

Tampa Bay (53-44) at Toronto (47-50), 1:07 p.m. EDT

In the second game of this series, the struggling Toronto Blue Jays put themselves in great position to get a win and improve their dismal record against AL East rivals.

Instead, the Tampa Bay Rays continued their dominance of Toronto with the biggest comeback in franchise history and are on the verge of a three-game sweep.

The Rays look to ride the momentum from a dramatic come-from-behind win and improve to 8-1 against the Blue Jays in 2009 as the clubs meet Sunday at Rogers Centre.

Toronto (47-51) has lost 17 of its last 23 games, and Saturday's defeat was likely the most disheartening of them all. The Blue Jays led 8-0 after four innings but eventually fell 10-9 in 12.

Carlos Pena and Willy Aybar hit solo homers in the ninth to force extra innings, and pinch-hitter Jason Bartlett hit an RBI double in the 12th to cap the biggest comeback in the Rays' 12-year history.

"That was a great game for us," Pena said. "It's an incredible boost to our confidence. ... We're exhausted, but it's better to be exhausted and win than the other way around. We're very happy we were able to come out with that victory."

It was the first time the Rays (54-44) overcame an eight-run deficit and matched the largest lead the Blue Jays have blown, done three times previously. Toronto fell to 11-22 against division rivals.

The Blue Jays could have a hard time improving that record against Rays starter Jeff Niemann (9-4, 3.61 ERA). The right-hander has given up more than three earned runs once in 12 starts since May 7. He's 7-1 with a 2.65 ERA in that stretch, and Tampa Bay has won 11 of those games.

"Our record is outstanding when he pitches, and there's no secret why," third baseman Evan Longoria told the Rays' official Web site. "He throws the ball down in the zone. He's a tough guy to face. I faced him in spring training, and he's not a comfortable at-bat. He's doing a heck of a job for us."

Niemann held the Chicago White Sox to two runs in eight innings of a 3-2 victory Tuesday. He gave up one run in 7 1-3 innings of a 4-1 win at Toronto on June 29.

"He's just very quiet and he goes about his business, and he listens and he works," manager Joe Maddon said. "He does everything right."

Toronto will turn to its own surging rookie by handing the ball to Brett Cecil (3-1, 4.67). The left-hander has pitched 13 consecutive scoreless innings, including seven against Cleveland on Tuesday. He struck out a season-high nine in that game before Scott Downs gave up two runs in the ninth to suffer the 2-1 defeat.

"You've got to trust your stuff and throw it with authority," Cecil told the Blue Jays' official Web site. "Whether it's a breaking ball or it's a changeup or it's a fastball, you've got to throw it with authority. If you don't, that's when you start leaving balls over the plate.

"From my last start and this start, it's definitely taught me a lot. No matter what pitch you're throwing, you've got to be aggressive with it."

Cecil gave up one hit and got two outs in a relief appearance against Tampa Bay on June 30.