Price and Jennings Shine for Rays

It was a record setting day for the Rays as they destroyed the Blue Jays 12-0 on Sunday. Behind seven strong innings from David Price and the hot bat of Desmond Jennings, Tampa cruised to their largest margin of victory since a 15-3 win at Minnesota in April.

The game was not quite as bad as it looks until the Rays put up a six spot in the ninth to really blow things open. David Price made it feel like the Jays had no chance, though. He recorded a personal best and franchise record 14 strikeouts, including two in his final inning of work, the seventh. He allowed just three hits on the afternoon and of the first nine outs, eight were on strikeouts.

As for the offense, Desmond Jennings set the tone, taking the first pitch from Brandon Morrow and launching it over the fence in left. He wasn’t done but that was all Tampa would need. In the second B.J. Upton walked, moved up to second on a wild pitch, stole third and scored on a John Jaso double. Sean Rodriguez then hit a monster blast off Morrow to left and Jennings followed it with his second homer of the day. Jennings finished the day 4-5 adding a walk and two singles. Matthew Joyce was 3-6 on the afternoon and had two doubles, both in the Rays six run ninth.

The victory moved the Rays, at the time, to within six games of the Yankees in the wild card race. The Rays have been an American League best 20-9 since July 28. Despite that stellar play, they still haven’t managed to gain much in the standings, but all they can do is win and watch. Wade Davis takes the mound on Monday with the Rays going for just their second four game series sweep this season.