Game 1: The Rays broke open a scoreless game in the 5th with 6 runs and cruised to an 8-2 win over Toronto at Rogers Centre. Josh Carsello went to 19-5, 3.63 with another excellent outing of 7 4 1 1 1 10, taking over the MLB strikeout lead from former Ray Marc Wagner at 241. Willie Bertone went 2 innings and was shaky, giving up a run and getting bailed out by a couple of double plays. Jim Gebers continues to produce whenever his name is written into the lineup, today 3-4 with a double, 2 HRs (#21 and 22) and 4 RBI. Dayle Jenkins had a 2-run single as well.
Game 2: Omar Rodriguez had a big day and led the Rays to a come-from-behind 5-4 win over Toronto. The sweet-swinging OF was 4-4 with 2 steals and the game-tying homer in the 8th (#24) before Jim Gebers and Mike McKee singled and Jaiden Hardaway delivered a sac fly for the game-winner. Daniel Vasquez earlier had a pair of solo homers to give him 38. On the mound Jon Soranno wasn't his best, going 6.2 10 4 4 0 8, but Danny Medina got him out of the 7th and pitched the 8th for his 4th win while Kikuo Kawase put a couple of men on in the 9th but pitched around them for save #38.
Durham Playoff Update: The Bulls squeezed out a 4-3 win in Buffalo to take a 2-1 lead in their best-of-5 opening round series. Dave MacDougall was the hitting star, breaking a 3-3 tie with a homer to cap a 3-4, 2-RBI day. Vinny Willard got the win going 6 6 3 3 0 6 and Chris Toombs went 1 2/3 for the save. Durham will look to wrap it up tomorrow behind Jim Harrell.
Game 3: Today was a rarity of rarities as the Rays lost a 1-0 decision to Toronto at Rogers Centre. What made it even more surprising was the architect of the win was the Blue Jays' Wyatt Banks, who came into the game 3-16, 5.71 yet went 6 shutout innings against the Rays, holding them to 4 hits. Granted, Dayle Jenkins and Danny Ayala were given days off, but Jeff Hayes who filled in for Ayala was 2-3. Josh Hanna was the hard luck loser, dropping to 17-5, 3.67 despite going 6 5 1 1 1 8 with the lone run coming on a 6th-inning Dan Phipps homer. Ron Adams and Mike Thomas each turned in a scoreless inning of relief.
Durham Playoff Update: The Bulls advance to the finals once again with a 6-5 win over Buffalo to take the series in 4 games as they seek their 6th consecutive Governors' Cup. Dave MacDougall homered for the second straight game, a 2-run shot, and Daniel Malone, next year's likely CF for the Rays after Dayle Jenkins goes to free agency, had a 3-run blast. Jim Harrell got the win while Eric Riley notched the save.
Team record: 121-29. Next up: Back to Publix Park to play 3 against the Yankees, who are clinging to a shot at a wild card.
Here's a look at where things stand in the AL races still in question stand with two weeks left in the season (The Rays and Astros have clinched their divisions):
Seattle looks solid for one wild card, but the second is up for grabs, and nobody wants the AL Central but someone will take it.