The Tampa Bay Rays (1-1) defeated the Toronto Blue Jays (1-1) 8-2 on Friday evening at Tropicana Field. The season-opening four game series is now tied up at a game apiece.
The Blue Jays got the scoring started in the top of the third when George Springer hit a solo home run, but the Rays answered in the bottom of the third when Brandon Lowe hit a grand slam. Randy Arozarena drove in a run in the fifth, Jose Caballero drove in another in the sixth, and Yandy Diaz drove in two in the eighth as the Rays pulled away in this game.
Aaron Civale (1-0, 1.50) had a great first start for the Rays, allowing one earned run on six innings of work while striking out six and walking one. Chris Bassitt (0-1, 7.20) allowed five runs, four of them earned, in five innings of work for the Blue Jays.
The Rays and Jays now meet in the third game of the four-game series on Saturday afternoon. Zack Littell is scheduled to start for the Rays, and face Yusei Kikuchi for the Blue Jays. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 PM - Chris Adams-Wall begins pregame coverage at 3:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES