13
ST. PETERSBURG — Matt Garza and two relievers combined on a six-hitter and Carlos Pena hit a home run to lead the American League East-leading Tampa Bay Rays past the Toronto Blue Jays 1-0 Wednesday night.
Garza, 11-7, allowed six hits and three walks with five strikeouts over 72/3 innings for the Rays. Grant Balfour got the final out in the eighth before Dan Wheeler pitched the ninth for his ninth save in 11 chances.
Pena provided the scoring with the homer in the fourth, his 27th of the season and sixth over his past 13 games.
Blue Jays rookie David Purcey gave up five hits and struck out a career-high 11 in eight innings for his first career complete game. The left-hander was coming off a start Aug. 20 against the New York Yankees in which he allowed five earned runs and seven hits in four innings.
Related Articles
Internet Links
Related Information
- New York Yankees
- Tampa Bay Rays
- Toronto Blue Jays
- Grant Balfour
- Rod Barajas
- Matt Garza
- Joe Inglett
- Adam Lind
- Evan Longoria
- John McDonald
- Dioner Navarro
- Carlos Pena
- David Purcey
- Alex Rios
- Scott Rolen
- Matt Stairs
- Vernon Wells
- Dan Wheeler
Purcey struck out 10 and allowed just three hits – two by Pena, including the homer – in the first five innings. He previous high for strikeouts was eight.
The Blue Jays got one hit, including a third-inning double by Joe Inglett, in each of the first four innings, but failed to score.
Garza retired nine in a row after Lyle Overbay's single with two outs in the fourth. Matt Stairs ended the stretch with a two-out single in the seventh. After a single by Rod Barajas put runners on first and second, John McDonald popped out.
Alex Rios and Vernon Wells drew two-out walks in the eighth inning to end Garza's night. Balfour entered and struck out Adam Lind on three pitches.
The announced attendance was just 12,678, the fifth successive Rays' home game with a crowd of less than 20,000.
Notes: McDonald broke his bat when he tapped it on the plate while hitting in the fifth inning. … Rays C Dioner Navarro (tight hamstring) didn't start but was available off the bench. He might sit tonight, too. … Toronto third baseman Scott Rolen (shoulder) could return to the lineup tonight. … Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria (right wrist) swung a wiffle bat and is expected to take batting practice later this week. He hopes to return early next week. … Hall of Famer Cal Ripken threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Ripken Baseball and the Rays announced the purchase of the Class A Florida State League team in Vero Beach, Fla., and plan to relocate the franchise to Charlotte County, Fla., next year.
