Thursday, 4 a.m.
This is what Bryan Baker does. He closes.
He smothers hope. He nails doors shut. He shuts off hope.
He makes winning scores stand up.
Baker saved his 36h game Wednesday night, making a 7-6 score stand up against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Rays led 7-1 after four innings, but the Jays spent most of the night chipping away at the lead.
Baker allowed the leadoff runner on with his own error to start the ninth, but he worked his way out of the jam. It was his 25th consecutive save.
The Rays built their big lead on a two-run homer by Yandy Diaz (his 19th), a double by Richie Palacios and bunt singles by Taylor Walls and Chandler Simpson. Junior Caminero brought in a run on a groundout.
Liam Hicks had two hits for the Rays.
The Rays and Jays play again today at 1:10 p.m. at Tropicana Field. Ian Seymour (9-3) will start for the Rays against Shane Bieber (4-2).