Sunday, 4 a.m.
As the season winds down, the starting rotation of the Tampa Bay Rays leaves you wanting more. And, perhaps, wondering what might have been with a bit more offense.
The Rays completed an impressive cycle through the rotation Sunday, beating the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2. And while Taj Bradley wasn’t quite as dazzling as his teammates, he was still impressive in getting his seventh win.
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The Rays have been pretty good on the mound most of the season, but their feeble offense has often gotten in the way, especially when runners were in scoring position. For the last week, however, the Rays have been especially strong.
Bradley went five innings Saturday, and he allowed only four hits (three of them to Vlad Guerrero) and one run.
Consider the rotation of Shane Baz, Ryan Pepiot, Zack Littell, Tyler Alexander and Baz. In their five starts, they went 28 1/3 inning, gave up just 13 hits and four earned runs. They struck out 35 batters.
Also, they won four of five.
Once again, Jonathan Aranda was the key offensive player. He hit a two-run homer in the third, and he has five homers in nine starts.
The Rays also scored on a single by Ben Rortvedt.
Aranda had two of the Rays’ seven hits.
The Rays are now 77-78 on the season. The Rays are now a half-game ahead of Boston in third place in the AL East.
The Rays and Jays play again today at 1:40 p.m. at Tropicana Field. Baz will start for the Rays; the Jays have not announced a starter.