July 26-28, 2041: at Toronto (3)
Game 1: The Rays trounced Toronto 11-1 at Rogers Centre in their series opener, getting another solid start from Brad Jackson and blasting three homers. Jackson wasn't dominating but got the job done at 7 7 1 1 1 2 to improve to 16-2, 2.36. Jose Mendez's 2-run homer (#7) in the 3rd was the big early hit, and Josh Alexander (#27, a 2-run shot) and Pat Moyer (#10, a 3-run blast) also went deep.
Game 2: The Jays edged the Rays 4-3 in the second game as Danny Romero relied a bit too much on a shaky-these-days defense, going 6 7 4 4 1 3 with the key hit a fly ball Doug Johns misplayed into a 2-run double in centerfield. Andy Ruggles' 2-run double was the offensive highlight for Tampa Bay.
Game 3: Seth Williams (#14) and Doug Johns (#2) set the tone by homering back-to-back to lead off the game as the Rays went on to take the series from Toronto with an 8-3 win. Williams added two doubles, one of which drove in a run, and Jose Mendez (later in the first for #8) and Pat Moyer (#11) also went yard. The homers backed the fine pitching of Jeff Brockman, who was overpowering at 6 3 1 1 1 8 to go to 16-3, 2.42.
Team record: 81-26. Next up: An off-day then we head to Fenway to take on the Red Sox for 3.
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