Aranda hit winning homer./TIM WIRT
Saturday, 4 a.m.
It took most of the season, but the Tampa Bay Rays have finally figured out a winning formula.
Shut out the other team.
And wait.
For the second straight night, it worked for the Rays. One night after blanking the Boston Red Sox, 2-0, the Rays
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shut out the Toronto Blue Jays 1-0. In total, the Rays have shut out the other team for 19 straight innings.
Good thing. The Rays had just six hits Friday night, and were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Over the last two nights, the Rays have 13 hits and are 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position.
Against Toronto, the Rays got the only run they would need on a sixth-inning home run by Jonathan Aranda. Aranda hit a 1-2 pitch 411 feet to right-center.
The Rays pieced together their shutout behind six pitchers. Tyler Alexander worked 4 1/3 innings and gave up just two hits. He was followed by Kevin Kelly (1 2/3 innings), Manny Rodriguez (one), Edwin Uceta (two-thirds), Colin Poche (one-third) and Hunter Bigge. Bigge worked the ninth for his first career save.
Kelly is second in the majors with 22 consecutive innings pitched.
Jose Berrios gave up six hits and one run for Toronto.
The Rays and Jays play again today at 4:10 p.m. at Tropicana Field. Taj Bradley will start for the Rays against Yariel Rodriguez.