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Jays try again for seventh straight win vs. Rays

May 18, 2011 - 2:51 PM (Sports Network) - The Toronto Blue Jays take aim at a seventh straight win this evening when they open a two-game set against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre.

The Blue Jays stopped the Tigers' seven-game winning streak in Monday's opener with a 4-2 victory, but were denied the chance to extend the streak on Tuesday, as the finale of their set with Detroit was postponed by rain.

Still, though, Toronto has won seven of its last 10. A big reason for that, of course, has been the play of Jose Bautista, who leads the majors with 16 home runs and a .370 average and is hitting at a.407 clip with six homers and eight RBI during the winning streak.

"He's as professional, as complete a player, as complete a teammate as you could ever want," Toronto manager John Farrell told the team's website. "So much is made about the performance on the field, but what people don't see is the day in, day out preparation, the care that he has for his teammates. He's a natural leader that people gravitate to, and that's why ... he is a complete player. He's arguably the best player in the game right now."

Another win for the Blue Jays tonight would give them their first seven-game tear since ripping off 10 in a row Aug. 30-Sept. 9, 2008

Getting the call for the Blue Jays tonight will be righty Jesse Litsch, who has won his last two starts. Litsch won for the third time in four starts and improved to 4-2 on the year on Wednesday against the Boston Red Sox, as he allowed three runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings.

"He had good stuff, he used his fastball effectively, showed a little increase in velocity," Toronto manager John Farrell said. "He did another good job."

Litsch, who has pitched to a 4.14 ERA on the year, beat the Tigers two starts ago and is 1-1 in four starts against them with a 2.92 ERA.

Tampa, meanwhile, enters tonight's tilt having lost three of its last four after dropping a 6-2 decision to the struggling New York Yankees on Tuesday. Former Yankee Johnny Damon had three hits for the Rays, who had their lead in the AL East cut to two games over the Yankees.

Tampa starter James Shields (4-2) had his four-decision winning streak halted after giving up four runs -- three earned -- in seven innings. He allowed eight hits and a walk, but struck out nine.

The Rays, though, own the league's best road mark at 13-6.

Hoping to get the Rays back on track tonight will be rookie right-hander Jeremy Hellickson, who has won his last three starts. The 24-year-old hurler had his finest outing as a pro on Friday against Baltimore, as he tossed a four-hit shutout to improve to 4-2, while lowering his ERA to 2.98.

"It was night and day compared to the last time I faced these guys," Hellickson said. "I wanted to come out early and establish my fastball, and me and (catcher John Jaso) were on the same page pretty much the whole game."

Hellickson did not get a decision against the Jays back on April 22 when the allowed three runs and six hits in seven innings.

Tampa has won four of six from the Jays this season.