The Tampa Bay Rays clinched their series against AL East foe Toronto on Thursday night, winning the final game against the Jays, 9-4. Tampa jumped on Toronto starter Henderson Alvarez early, and then sealed the win with a three-run 5th inning. Alvarez gave up a career-high six earned runs.
Evan Longoria did a lot of damage, coming within a triple of the cycle, and launching his first home run since opening day. Longoria hit a two-run shot in the top of the 6th that traveled 441 feet at the Rogers Centre. He added a double in the 9th inning to finish with 4 RBIs.
Jeremy Heliickson was solid for Joe Maddon on the mound, allowing only two earned rounds in five and two-thirds innings to improve to 2-0. He threw struck out four and threw 106 pitches, and then got a little wild in the 6th inning, loading the bases before J.P. Howell came on and picked him up to get out of the jam unscathed.
Tampa finishes the two-stop road trip at 4-6, but come home to Tropicana Field with a good series win up north. They will host the Minnesota Twins on Friday night with Matt Moore toeing the rubber.
For more on this and every Tampa Bay Rays' series, head over to DRaysBay. And for some perspective from the other dugout you can check out Bluebird Banter, SB Nation's Toronto Blue Jays blog. And as always, you can check out SB Nation's Baseball Nation for more on this and every MLB series.