Game 1: The Rays jumped out to an early 5-1 lead and then hung on to top Toronto 5-4 in the series opener at Publix Park. Orlando Diaz had an RBI double and Rodrigo Aponte an RBI single as they built that lead by the 4th inning and Victor Boria (5-0) was cruising until things got dicey in the 6th. Boria gave up a run and Manny Lopez let one of Boria's men score along with one of his own and the Jays were within one, leaving Boria with a 5.2 8 3 3 0 5. But the pen held strong from there and Devin Tadlock picked up his 2nd save with an uneventful 9th.
Game 2: Another Patented Publix Park Comeback as Rodrigo Aponte walked it off with a 3-run homer in the bottom of the 9th, his 3rd, to give the Rays a thrilling 7-6 win in a game they trailed most of the way. Julio Mattila wasn't bad at 5.2 6 3 3 2 5 but the offense was dormant until Jordan Sailes' 2-run homer (#5) in the 6th and a couple of runs in the 7th got them level at 4. But the Jays got a pair off Jonathan Bolon in the 8th and looked headed for victory until Aponte had his say. Joe Rose (3-1) earned the win in relief.
Game 3: The Rays pulled off their second straight series sweep and sent Toronto to its 8th consecutive loss after a tidy 5-2 win in the finale. Dave Rose (3-2) was in vintage form at 7 7 1 1 0 9 and Devin Tadlock shut the door again for his 3rd save. Meanwhile the bats which came up big yesterday did it again today with Jordan Sailes (#6) going solo and Rodrigo Aponte (#4) delivering a 2-run blast. Angel Gonzales also went deep (#7) with the bases empty in the first.
Team record: 21-10. It's a good thing they swept as the Yankees did likewise to stay 1 1/2 behind them. Next up: A day off then we head to Boston for 3 games.
Some league honors:
And he started May with a homer as well.