The Tampa Bay Rays have raised the number of records set in Friday night's game to two. After helping the team set a new single-season staff strikeout record, James Shields has gone on to become the first Ray in franchise history to get 200 strikeouts in consecutive seasons.
Shields has been having a great year. If his numbers hold his strikeouts per nine innings will be the highest it's ever been, and his home runs per nine and total hits given up will be within the top three of his career. He's firmly in control against Toronto, having struck out eight through six scoreless innings.
The Rays' offense is backing him up with enthusiasm, knocking Jays starter Carlos Villanueva out of the game after just 2-1/3 innings, taking him for seven runs on eight hits. They've taken an additional run from Chad Beck and four more from David Carpenter for a 12-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth.
Stick with this StoryStream for updates, scores and more from the Rays vs. Blue Jays series. For more insight and analysis, check out Rays blog DRays Bay.
