Final
Rays welcome Blue Jays to the Trop
Sep 21, 2012 - 2:57 PMVideo
Tampa's fleeting hopes got a huge boost on Thursday when it rallied from three runs down to post an improbable 7-4 win over the Boston Red Sox in the finale of a four-game set. B.J. Upton's three-run game-winning homer capped a six- run ninth for the Rays, who are now 5 1/2 games back of Oakland for the final AL wild card spot.
"We've been missing a little bit of the magic this year, but it couldn't get any more magical than 2nite," Rays manager Joe Maddon said via his Twitter account. "There has never been any quit here."
Getting the call for the Rays in the opener will be righty James Shields, who is 14-9 with a 3.77 ERA. Shields was roughed up a bit by the New York Yankees on Saturday, as he allowed four runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings.
"I've got some bullets left. I've thrown a few innings this year," Shields said. "But right now, I feel really good. My body feels good."
Shields beat the Jays the last time he faced them and is 10-5 lifetime against them with a 3.40 ERA in 20 starts.
Toronto, meanwhile, will counter with righty Carlos Villanueva, who is 7-5 with a 3.42 ERA. Villanueva surrendered just two runs on four hits to the Red Sox on Saturday, but took a no-decision in 3-2 loss.
"I'm glad I was able to keep the team in it," Villanueva said. "Go deep into the game. It was nice being out there for the first time this year in the eighth inning."
He tossed six scoreless innings to beat the Rays back on Aug. 30 and is 1-2 in eight games (3 starts) against them with an 8.41 ERA.
Toronto is still licking its wounds after a three-game sweep at the hands of the Yankees that culminated with a 10-7 setback on Thursday.
Moises Sierra homered and drove in three for the Blue Jays, who have dropped seven of their last nine.
Aaron Laffey (3-6) was touched for five runs -- four earned -- on two hits and five walks over three-plus innings to take the loss.
Tampa is 11-4 this season against the Jays and has won its last five at home against them.
- TORONTO: 1
TAMPA BAY: 12
Final
Sep 21 10:07 PM - Yan Gomes double to left scored Colby Rasmus with one out. On the play, Yunel Escobar advances to third. Runners on second and third and J.P. Arencibia due up.
Blue Jays 1, Rays 12 Top 8, 1 OutSep 21 9:50 PM - Jose Molina ground ball fielder's choice, first to short scored Luke Scott with two outs. Carlos Pena out at second. Runner on first and Desmond Jennings due up.
Blue Jays 0, Rays 12 Bot 6, 2 OutsSep 21 9:24 PM - Luke Scott double to right center scored Evan Longoria and Jeff Keppinger with one out. Runner on second and Carlos Pena due up.
Blue Jays 0, Rays 11 Bot 6, 1 OutSep 21 9:20 PM - Matt Joyce ground out to first scored Ben Zobrist with one out. On the play, Evan Longoria advances to third. Runner on third and Jeff Keppinger due up.
Blue Jays 0, Rays 9 Bot 6, 1 OutSep 21 9:16 PM - Luke Scott double to center scored Evan Longoria and Matt Joyce with none out. On the play, Jeff Keppinger advances to third. Runners on second and third and Carlos Pena due up.
Blue Jays 0, Rays 7 Bot 3, 0 OutsSep 21 8:08 PM - Jose Molina none-out, two-run Home Run (7) to center scored Carlos Pena. Desmond Jennings due up.
Blue Jays 0, Rays 5 Bot 2, 0 OutsSep 21 7:46 PM - Carlos Pena triple to left center scored Jeff Keppinger and Luke Scott with none out. Runner on third and Jose Molina due up.
Blue Jays 0, Rays 3 Bot 2, 0 OutsSep 21 7:46 PM - Ben Zobrist two-out, solo Home Run (18) to right. Evan Longoria due up.
Blue Jays 0, Rays 1 Bot 1, 2 OutsSep 21 7:23 PM - TORONTO: 0
TAMPA BAY: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Sep 21 7:11 PM
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