ST. PETERSBURG — Not lengthy after struggling probably the most lopsided loss in franchise historical past, the Rays made it clear they had been able to overlook about it and transfer ahead. And what higher approach to take action than with their ace to the mound?
Left-hander Shane McClanahan put collectively one other gem on Wednesday evening at Tropicana Field, crusing by way of seven innings and getting sufficient early run help within the Rays’ 7-3 win over the Blue Jays. McClanahan is the primary eight-game winner within the Majors this season, as his newest efficiency improved him to 8-0 with a 1.97 ERA.
McClanahan allowed only one run on 4 hits, placing out seven and not using a stroll as Tampa Bay received for the tenth time in his first 11 begins of the yr. The lefty additionally turned the third pitcher in membership historical past to start a season with an 8-0 document, becoming a member of Matt Moore (2013) and Charlie Morton (’19).
As the Rays appeared to rebound shortly from Tuesday’s 20-1 defeat, McClanahan was in management from the beginning. He retired Toronto’s first 10 hitters so as, and he struck out 4 earlier than giving up a run on back-to-back hits by Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. within the fourth inning.
McClanahan was equal elements efficient and environment friendly. He wanted precisely 11 pitches to finish every of his first 4 innings, by no means throwing greater than 15 pitches in a body as he completed his seven-inning outing — tied for his longest begin of the season — with solely 82 pitches to his title. McClanahan confronted 25 batters, and he solely ran up a three-ball depend on two of them, however neither received on base.
Tampa Bay wound up needing all of these runs, because the bullpen as soon as once more made it attention-grabbing after McClanahan’s exit. Jason Adam allowed two earned runs on three hits and a stroll within the eighth earlier than Kevin Kelly got here in with the tying run on base and induced an inning-ending double play in opposition to Matt Chapman.
Siri and Franco sealed the victory with a pair of RBI singles within the eighth.
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