Adames, Wendle lead Rays 3-1 over Blue Jays
TORONTO—Willy Adames had two hits and drove in the decisive run, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 on Saturday, their seventh win in eight meetings with Toronto this season.
Aledmys Diaz homered for the Blue Jays, who have lost five of six.
Speedy Rays outfielder Mallex Smith led off the first with a chopper over the mound. Shortstop Aledmys Diaz and second baseman Devon Travis both charged, and then backed off as the ball rolled between them. Smith took advantage of two infielders being out of position to advance to second and was credited with a double. He scored one out later on Joey Wendle's double just inside the right field foul line.
Tampa Bay took advantage of another defensive miscue to double its lead in the second. Kevin Kiermaier led off with a single to center and advanced to second when center fielder Kevin Pillar bobbled the ball. Kiermaier later stole third and scored on Adames' RBI grounder.
Diaz cut the deficit in half with a leadoff homer off Jamie Schultz in the fifth, his 15th. Jesus Sucre hit an RBI single off Ryan Tepera in the ninth to restore the two-run cushion.
Ryne Stanek opened for the Rays, leaving after four outs. Diego Castillo (3-2) pitched 2 2/3 innings and Schultz worked two innings. Hunter Wood pitched the seventh, Pedro Alvorado handled the eighth and Sergio Romo worked a perfect ninth for his 15th save in 22 opportunities.
The Blue Jays had two runners thrown out on the bases in the seventh. Russell Martin led off with a single but was caught trying to steal second. The inning ended when Pillar was picked off first following a walk.
Sam Gaviglio (2-5) allowed two runs, one earned, and six hits in 5 1/3 innings. Gaviglio is winless in 14 starts since a May 25 victory at Philadelphia.