ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. _ The Rays put a good wrap on their more-successful-than-expected season, beating the Blue Jays 9-4 to finish with 90 wins after being predicted by many to lose 100 games.
This was the first time the Rays won 90 since 2013, but the sixth in 11 seasons, since the 2008 name change. Only the Red Sox (7), Dodgers (7) and Yankees (6) have as many.
It also marks just the third time since the 2012 introduction of the second wild-card that a 90-win team missed the playoffs. Also, the 2013 Rangers (who lost Game 163 to the Rays) and the 2012 Rays.
Joey Wendle went 1-for-3 before being taken out, finishing with a .2997946 average, which in theory rounds up to make him the Rays first .300 hitter since Casey Kotchman in 2011 and the team rookie record.
Jake Bauers had three hits and two RBIs on the day, and Tommy Pham also knocked in two runs while extending his on-base streak to 32 games.
After the Jays scored a run in the third, the Rays answered with two. Jake Bauers started the rally with a single, stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on an errant throw. Wendle singled in Tommy Pham for the other.
After the Jays tied it in the fifth, the Rays again responded. Bauers got them started with a bunt single and ended up scoring on a Mallex Smith single to tie it. A Pham triple and a Wendle sac fly made it 5-2.
The Jays got one back and the Rays put up three more in the seventh. A Pham single, Wendle fielder's choice grounder followed by a stolen base and wild pitch, C.J. Cron walk and Brandon Lowe sac fly got one. A Willy Adames single, Austin Meadows walk and Bauers bloop double two more.
Ryan Yarbrough got the win in relief, his 16th.
