DUNEDIN, Fla. — The Rays rallied in the eighth inning Saturday night to beat the Blue Jays, 3-1, and extend their MLB-longest win streak to nine.
Manuel Margot delivered the decisive run, singling in Randy Arozarena, who led off with a single, moved to second on an infield out by Yandy Diaz (who earlier in the at-bat spoiled a pitch-out by fouling off a pitch) and to third with a good read and break on a pitch that got away from Jays catcher Danny Jansen.
The Rays (28-19) earlier got a home run from Mike Zunino, a strong five-inning start by Shane McClanahan and solid relief work, including Pete Fairbanks getting out of a two-on jam in the eighth, at TD Ballpark
The nine-game win streak matches the second longest in franchise history. The Rays also won nine in July 2014. The franchise record is 12, a June 2004 run under manager Lou Piniella.
The Rays had a chance to add on with Brandon Lowe, who was intentionally walked, on second and Margot on first. But Mike Brosseau and Ji-Man Choi struck out.
McClanahan, in his fifth career start, allowed one run (on a two-out walk and a Teoscar Hernandez double in the first), four hits and two walks while striking out four. He had runners on base in each inning, but allowed one as far as second in only the first and fifth innings.
Jays lefty starter Robbie Ray was equally effective, keeping the Rays off the board until the fifth, when Zunino laced a ball over the leftfield fence.
That was the sixth homer for Zunino in his past 11 games and his 11th for the season. It also extended his dominance against lefties, as he came into the game with an .800 slugging percentage against lefties that was best in the American League.
The game featured the first appearance of the two newest Rays.
Shortstop Taylor Walls, called up to make his major league debut, collected his first hit with a fifth-inning double, pumping his fist after sliding in to second, and made several strong defensive plays plus an error in the eighth. He added a double in the ninth, went to third on a wild throw, then scored on an errant pitch.
Reliever J.P. Feyereisen, acquired in trade from Milwaukee Friday, worked a three-batter sixth with a strikeout, a walk and a double play grounder.
Center fielder Kevin Kiermaier left the game after four innings due to what the team said was left eye irritation.
