TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays have hired former Tampa Bay general manager Chuck Lamar as a special assistant for amateur scouting.

Lamar was Tampa Bay’s first general manager, from 1995-05, and spent the last three seasons as Philadelphia’s assistant GM of player development and scouting. He was a special assistant to the Washington GM in 2007.

“With over 25 years of experience, we welcome Chuck’s insight and expertise,” Andrew Tinnish, Toronto’s director of amateur scouting, said Friday.

TORONTO (AP)—The Toronto Blue Jays have hired former Tampa Bay general
manager Chuck Lamar as a special assistant for amateur scouting.

Lamar was Tampa Bay’s first general manager, from 1995-05, and spent the
last three seasons as Philadelphia’s assistant GM of player development and
scouting. He was a special assistant to the Washington GM in 2007.

“With over 25 years of experience, we welcome Chuck’s insight and
expertise,” Andrew Tinnish, Toronto’s director of amateur scouting, said
Friday.

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. — Robinson Chirinos hit his first major-league homer and drove in four runs, James Shields pitched into the eighth inning and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 9-1 on Wednesday night.

Chirinos had a three-run shot off Carlos Villanueva (6-3) during a four-run third that put the Rays up 8-1. An inning earlier, he drove in a run with a bunt single.

Shields (10-9) allowed one run and three hits in 7 1/3 innings. The right-hander struck out six and walked three.

The AL all-star was coming off a start last Wednesday where he gave up 10 runs over four innings in a 13-4 loss to Oakland.

Ben Zobrist and Casey Kotchman also homered for the Rays, who are 7-11 over their last 18 games.

J.P. Arencibia homered for Toronto.

Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista had his third-inning pop fly caught by Rodriguez at shortstop for an out after the ball hit the highest of four catwalks at Tropicana Field.

It was the third ball since the stadium opened in 1998 that has struck the “A” ring, about 185 feet above the infield.

Villanueva gave up eight runs and nine hits over 2 2/3 innings.

Zobrist hit a solo homer, Sean Rodriguez bunted home a run, Chirinos drove in a run with his bunt hit and Johnny Damon added a sacrifice fly during a four-run second.

Kotchman had a solo homer before Chirinos’ drive in the third broke open the game.

Matt Joyce made it 9-1 with an RBI single in the seventh.

Arencibia, who struck out in all four at-bats in the Blue Jays’ 3-1 win over Tampa Bay on Tuesday night, cut the deficit to 4-1 with his 18th homer of the season leading off the third. He has six homers in his last 10 games.

Shields struck out Travis Snider with two on and two out in the second. He retired 11 in a row after allowing Arencibia’s homer.

Notes: The Blue Jays would like to get RHP Brandon Morrow around 175 innings this season. “Building block approach,” manager John Farrell said. Morrow (8-5) has worked 112 innings so far. … Rays RHP Wade Davis (8-7), Today’s scheduled starter, is 2-2 with a 2.80 earned-run average in five career starts against the Blue Jays. “They’re aggressive swinging the bat,” Davis said. … Toronto LHP Brett Cecil (4-4) will look to win for the fourth time in his last six starts in Thursday’s series finale. He is 3-1 with a 2.19 ERA over his last five starts, including two complete games. … Toronto LHP Brian Tallet (chest) is nearing his first bullpen session.

Tampa Bay Rays Robinson Chirinos, right, rounds the bases on his three-run home run off of Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Carlos Villanueva, back left, during the third inning of a baseball in St. Petersburg, Fla. (Brian Blanco/Associated Press)

Robinson Chirinos hit his first major league homer and drove in four runs, James Shields pitched into the eighth inning and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 9-1 on Wednesday night.

Chirinos had a three-run shot off Carlos Villanueva (6-3) during a four-run third that put the Rays up 8-1. An inning earlier, he drove in a run with a bunt single.

Shields (10-9) allowed one run and three hits in 7 1-3 innings. The right-hander struck out six and walked three.

The AL All-Star was coming off a start last Wednesday where he gave up 10 runs over four innings in a 13-4 loss to Oakland.

Ben Zobrist and Casey Kotchman also homered for the Rays, who are 7-11 over their last 18 games.

J.P. Arencibia homered for Toronto.

Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista had his third-inning pop fly caught by Rodriguez at shortstop for an out after the ball hit highest of four catwalks at Tropicana Field. It was the third ball since the stadium opened in 1998 that has struck the “A” ring, which located around 185 feet above the infield.

Villanueva gave up eight runs and nine hits over 2 2-3 innings.

Zobrist hit a solo homer, Sean Rodriguez bunted home a run, Chirinos drove in a run with his bunt hit and Johnny Damon added a sacrifice fly during a four-run second.

Kotchman had a solo homer before Chirinos’ drive in the third broke open the game.

Matt Joyce made it 9-1 with an RBI single in the seventh.

Arencibia, who struck out in all four at-bats in the Blue Jays’ 3-1 win over Tampa Bay on Tuesday night, cut the deficit to 4-1 with his 18th homer of the season leading off the third. He has six homers in his last 10 games.

Shields struck out Travis Snider with two on and two out in the second. He retired 11 in a row after allowing Arencibia’s homer. text

The box score for the Toronto Blue Jays’ 3-2 win against the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday night shows that rookie catcher J.P. Arencibia(notes) and left-hander Ricky Romero(notes) each contributed to the cause.

Arencibia hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning, and Romero allowed a run and three hits, and he struck out six.

Arencibia’s homer was key, giving the Jays what became the game-winning run. But, for reasons beyond baseball, Arencibia might consider it one of his most memorable hits ever by the time his career ends.

Arencibia and Romero dedicated the Jays victory to the memory of Ryley James Martin, who died of leukemia a day earlier at 2 1/2 years old. Romero carved a tribute into the mound, while Arencibia (pictured above with Ryley) admitted that the boy was on his mind:

“I shed a few tears after that home run. … Today’s game was for him, and I’m glad we were able to come out on top,” Arencibia said.

Arencibia and Romero met Ryley and his parents when the family was invited on the field before a game at Toronto’s Rogers Centre in early April. The Jays battery played catch with Ryley and helped him swing a bat.

The meeting wasn’t anything like the oft-told, under-substantiated story of Babe Ruth promising a sick little boy he’d hit a home run for him. It was better. It was real. Just a couple of ballplayers engaging one of their youngest fans who would not be alive much longer.

The encounter lasted only about 20 minutes, but it made a lasting impression on both Jays.

“It was cool for me to interact with somebody like that,” said Arencibia, who held a picture of himself with Ryley after the game. “I remember coming inside and talking to Ricky and saying, ‘Hey, that’s crazy. That kid doesn’t have much longer to live, and we’re here playing this game.’ “

Romero posted several tributes to the Martin family on his Twitter account Wednesday after hearing of Ryley’s death. And just before throwing the first pitch, Romero carved the initials “RJM” into the mound. From the Globe and Mail:

“I felt like today, every time I looked at the back of the mound, I kept looking at his initials, just remembered that time we were playing in front of that dugout, just the smile he had,” Romero said after the game. “It was definitely something you’ll carry with you forever.”

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Related: J.P. Arencibia, Ricky Romero, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, Ballpark Giveaways, Ballpark Mischief

TORONTO – Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Jesse Litsch was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday due to an impingement in his right shoulder.

The move was made retroactive to Thursday, a day after Litsch was wild in a 6-5 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. He hit two batters, made two errors, had three walks and a wild pitch over five innings.

Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Litsch had been dealing with some minor soreness of late.

“It was something that after his last start, just was a little more sharp,” Anthopoulos said. “After (team doctors) examined him, they felt the best thing was just to let it calm down. It was inflamed.”

Litsch, 26, has a 4-3 record and a 4.66 earned-run average over eight starts this season. He has 36 strikeouts and 18 walks in 46 1/3 innings.

Anthopoulos said if everything goes well, Litsch will miss his scheduled start and make one rehab start in the minors before being activated. Right-handed reliever Carlos Villanueva will replace Litsch in the rotation for Monday’s road game against the New York Yankees.

Litsch, a six-foot-one, 225-pound native of Pinellas Park, Fla., is in his fifth season with the Blue Jays. He has a career record of 25-27 with a 4.16 ERA.

The Blue Jays also recalled infielder Mike McCoy from triple-A Las Vegas. He was expected to be available for Saturday’s home game against the Houston Astros.

McCoy has appeared in 19 games for the Blue Jays this season. He has a .238 average with one home run and two RBIs.

TORONTO – Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Jesse Litsch was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday due to an impingement in his right shoulder.

The move was made retroactive to Thursday, a day after Litsch was wild in a 6-5 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. He hit two batters, made two errors, had three walks and a wild pitch over five innings.

Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Litsch had been dealing with some minor soreness of late.

“It was something that after his last start, just was a little more sharp,” Anthopoulos said. “After (team doctors) examined him, they felt the best thing was just to let it calm down. It was inflamed.”

Litsch, 26, has a 4-3 record and a 4.66 earned-run average over eight starts this season. He has 36 strikeouts and 18 walks in 46 1/3 innings.

Anthopoulos said if everything goes well, Litsch will miss his scheduled start and make one rehab start in the minors before being activated. Right-handed reliever Carlos Villanueva will replace Litsch in the rotation for Monday’s road game against the New York Yankees.

Litsch, a six-foot-one, 225-pound native of Pinellas Park, Fla., is in his fifth season with the Blue Jays. He has a career record of 25-27 with a 4.16 ERA.

The Blue Jays also recalled infielder Mike McCoy from triple-A Las Vegas. He was expected to be available for Saturday’s home game against the Houston Astros.

McCoy has appeared in 19 games for the Blue Jays this season. He has a .238 average with one home run and two RBIs.

TORONTO – The Toronto Blue Jays didn’t just throw away their six-game winning streak. They bobbled it and dropped it, too.

The Blue Jays made a season-high five errors in losing 6-5 to the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night. Matt Joyce homered and Elliot Johnson had three RBIs for the Rays, who have won six of seven road games.

“Full moon tonight?” Toronto manager John Farrell asked. “It’s somewhat inexplicable. We’ve been playing very good baseball.”

The five errors were one shy of the team record six they committed on May 13, 1982, at Texas.

Two of Toronto’s errors were charged to first baseman Edwin Encarnacion, who leads the AL with 10 miscues this season. Encarnacion could have had three errors, but Johnny Damon was given a hit after reaching when Encarnacion bobbled his first-inning grounder.

“He had a rough night at first base tonight,” Farrell said. “That’s a fact. We all saw that.”

Rays rookie right-hander Jeremy Hellickson (5-2) won his fourth straight start, allowing four runs, three earned, and five hits in 5 2-3 innings. He walked three and struck out six.

Kyle Farnsworth gave up a run in the ninth when Yunel Escobar’s grounder drove in Rajai Davis, but he held on for his ninth save in 10 opportunities.

Johnson opened the scoring with a two-run single in the second, ending up at third base on the play after two Toronto errors. Jose Bautista’s throw from right field bounced off the second base bag, allowing Johnson to advance to second. He went to third when starter Jesse Litsch’s throw to second sailed into the outfield.

“It was an unusual play, no doubt,” Johnson said. “It’s a little bit different. You don’t really expect that to happen, but things like that do happen, even in the big leagues.”

Johnson scored two batters later on Sam Fuld’s bunt, with Fuld reaching safely when Encarnacion’s high flip pulled Hill off the bag.

After Litsch hit Evan Longoria to begin the third, Joyce drilled the next pitch over the wall in right for a two-run homer, his seventh.

“He just absolutely mangled that ball,” Maddon said.

B.J. Upton followed with a single and went to third when Litsch’s errant pick off throw went down the right field line. After an infield single by Casey Kotchman, Upton scored on Johnson’s sacrifice fly.

Litsch (4-3), who had won his previous two starts, allowed six runs, five earned, and seven hits in five innings, matching his shortest start of the season. He walked three and struck out one.

“It’s not what you want to do, getting the team down in the dumps early,” Litsch said. “You’ve got to go from there. You’ve just got to keep pitching.”

Toronto got one back in the fourth when Corey Patterson led off with a triple and scored on Hill’s grounder.

The Blue Jays took advantage of a Tampa Bay error to score in the fifth. Designated hitter Eric Thames drew a leadoff walk and went to third when Davis’ grounder went off second baseman Ben Zobrist’s glove. Thames scored when Jayson Nix grounded into a double play.

The Blue Jays chased Hellickson with a two-run sixth. Patterson led off with a double and scored one out later when Hill doubled off the wall in left. Encarnacion popped out but J.P. Arencibia walked and Thames followed with an RBI single to center, his first major league hit. Juan Cruz came on and ended the inning by getting Davis to ground out.

Hellickson threw a career-high 120 pitches in his last outing, a shutout win over Baltimore.

“It looked like he was actually a bit tired,” Maddon said. I don’t know if the 120 bothered him from last time or not.”

NOTES: Maddon said LHP J.P. Howell (left shoulder) remains on track to come off the 15-day DL on Friday. … The Blue Jays held a moment of silence before the game to mark the death of former pitching coach Mel Queen, who died last week. … Thames was promoted from Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday when Adam Lind (back) went on the 15-day DL.

“Really commanding performance,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said of Price. “The best game I’ve seen fastball command out of him.”

Price (4-3) is undefeated against the Blue Jays, winning eight times in nine starts. The lefthander allowed four hits and struck out 10 over 82/3 innings.

“He was strong,” Toronto manager John Farrell said. “He kept his velocity throughout the eight-plus innings he was there. I thought he had a lot of strikes on the inside part of the plate. Caught a number of guys looking. Obviously he’s had a lot of success against us, and again that was the case today.”

Price is 19-4 against AL East opponents. Toronto’s first three hitters, Rajai Davis, Corey Patterson, and Yunel Escobar, went a combined 0 for 11 with six strikeouts against Price.

Damon had two hits, which moved him past Steve Garvey (2,599) into 75th place on the career list. His fifth-inning double (490) tied him for 59th place with Mickey Vernon on that list.

The Rays took two of three from the Blue Jays and won their 12th consecutive home series over Toronto, since July 30-Aug. 1, 2007. Tampa Bay has won eight of its last 11 overall.

Price was pulled by Maddon with two outs and nobody on base in the ninth, prompting boos, after Patterson hit an RBI grounder. John McDonald reached second to start the inning on a throwing error by shortstop Sean Rodriguez.

Maddon was concerned about Price’s pitch count, which had reached 118.

Toronto lost for the fourth time in five games.

Rays 3, Blue Jays 1

Toronto 000 000 001 – 1 5 0

Tampa Bay 003 000 00x – 3 7 1

Toronto AB   R   H   BI   BB   SO   Avg.   

 R.Davis rf 4   0   0   0   0   2   .182   

C.Patterson cf 4   0   0   1   0   2   .253   

Y.Escobar ss 4   0   1   0   0   2   .252   

Lind dh 4   0   1   0   0   0   .314   

J.Rivera lf 3   0   1   0   0   0   .218   

Arencibia c 3   0   0   0   0   1   .250   

Encarnacion 1b 3   0   0   0   0   2   .250   

McCoy 3b 3   0   1   0   0   1   .243   

Jo.McDonald 2b 3   1   1   0   0   0   .209   

Totals 31   1   5   1   0   10   

Ricky Romero was good. James Shields was even better.
Shields (2-1) pitched a four-hitter for his second consecutive complete game, Ben Zobrist hit a two-run homer and the Tampa Bay Rays spoiled a strong outing by Romero, beating the Toronto Blue Jays 2-0 on Sunday.
Romero (1-3) got his third straight loss despite allowing just two runs and five hits in seven innings, lowering his ERA to 3.00.
“It’s frustrating losing ball games that we’re in,” Romero said. “I did everything possible to keep us in the game.”
The Blue Jays were blanked for the first time this season and have lost 10 of 14 following a 5-2 start.
“Right now we’ve got a few guys who are trying to do too much,” Toronto manager John Farrell said. “They’re not trusting their abilities and letting the game come to them, particularly at the plate.”
Romero allowed Zobrist’s homer in the first. The Blue Jays have scored just three total runs in his past three starts.
“We’re in a little bit of a funk but I can’t control what they do as hitters,” Romero said.
Romero struck out a season-high 10 and walked just one, retiring 14 of his final 15 batters.
“Classic example of having to get a good pitcher early,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “Once he found himself and he settled in, he started making much better pitches with everything.”
Shields threw just 95 pitches, wrapping up his seventh-career complete game in a brisk 2 hours, 5 minutes. The right-hander also threw a four-hitter against the Chicago White Sox last Tuesday.
“It felt really good,” Shields said. “Obviously, being able to throw back-to-back complete games is something special.”
Over the winter and during spring training, Shields worked with pitching coach Jim Hickey to tweak his delivery, changing the way he steps back when working from the windup and twisting his upper body less when he throws.
“I just simplified things,” Shields said. “I’m a lot quieter in my delivery, I’m not so violent. I think I’m more under control and I think that’s why I’m throwing my offspeed pitches for strikes consistently.”
The Blue Jays were the latest team left baffled by the new-look Shields, who earned his first shutout since May 9, 2008, against the Los Angeles Angels.
“He was throwing strike one and from there he went to a lot of his offspeed,” Toronto catcher J.P. Arencibia said. “His changeup was real good today, he kind of kept everybody off his fastball. He threw his changeup anytime and his curveball anytime, so it was tough.”
It’s the third time in Rays history that a pitcher has won back-to-back complete games. Rolando Arrojo did it in 1998 and Albie Lopez did it in 2000. Tampa Bay starters have worked seven or more innings in 11 of the past 12 games and posted a 2.46 ERA over that span.
Shields struck out seven, walked two and lowered his ERA to 2.35. The Rays won for the 10th time in 14 games following a 1-8 start.
Toronto’s Jose Bautista walked in the first, the 11th straight plate appearance he’d reached safely. Needing one more to tie Lyle Overbay’s team record, Bautista lined out sharply to third in the fourth.
“I finally stopped him, man,” Shields said. “He’s locked in right now and he was all series. Even the line drive to third base that Lopez caught was scorched.”
Zobrist hit his fifth homer of the season and second in as many days. He lined an 0-2 pitch over the left-field wall.
“Other than one pitch, (Romero) was lights out,” Arencibia said. “One pitch just stayed over the plate a little bit. We were trying to go up and in and it just stayed over the plate and (Zobrist) hit it out.”
A switch-hitter, Zobrist hit a three-run shot from the left side of the plate in Saturday’s 6-4 victory.
Shields didn’t allow a hit until Juan Rivera’s groundball single to begin the fifth. Arencibia and Travis Snider struck out before John McDonald lined a single to center, but Shields fanned Mike McCoy to end the inning.
Corey Patterson led off the Toronto sixth with a double down the right-field line, but Shields got the next three batters in order.
NOTES: The Blue Jays placed 2B Aaron Hill (strained right hamstring) on the 15-day DL, retroactive to April 20, and will recall RHP Jesse Litsch from Triple-A Las Vegas to start Tuesday’s game at Texas. … Rays 3B Evan Longoria (strained left oblique) faced live pitching in the batting cages before the game and could take regular BP during this week’s series in Minnesota. Longoria hopes to return during Tampa Bay’s next homestand. … Rays LHP J.P. Howell (shoulder) will make his second rehab appearance Monday at extended spring training.

The Blue Jays placed infielder Jayson Nix on the 15-day disabled list Saturday because of a left shin contusion.

Nix suffered the injury on Friday during the second inning of the Blue Jays’ 6-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays’ Sean Rodriguez went hard into second base for a take-out slide, and his spike connected with Nix’s left leg.

Blue Jays manager John Farrell said X-rays were negative, but the contusion forced him to the disabled list.

The Jays called up Mike McCoy from triple-A Las Vegas. He played second base Saturday.

THE HILL TIMES

The Jays will decide on Sunday whether to put infield Aaron Hill on the disabled list.

Hill hasn’t played since Tuesday, when he strained his right hamstring while stealing second base. Hill underwent an MRI test Wednesday but the results were inconclusive.

“He’s going to jog some (Saturday), he’s swung in the cage (on Friday) a little bit,” Farrell said. “He’s feeling some improvement. But I can tell you that by Sunday, we’ll have some definitive answer on his status, either active or retroactive to the DL to create another spot to get another player.”

If Hill goes on the DL, Jesse Litsch will be recalled to start on Tuesday.

If not, reliever Carlos Villanueva will be called on for a spot start.

Litsch pitched three innings for Las Vegas on Friday night, giving up three hits and one earned run. “That keeps him as a definite option for Tuesday,” Farrell said. “And obviously the only way he returns is if we make the determination with Aaron to go to the disabled list.”

TORONTO (AP) – John McDonald hit a walkoff two-run home run in the 11th inning and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-4 on Friday night.

McDonald connected for his first home run of the season against Rays right-hander Adam Russell (1-1).

Marc Rzepczynski (2-0) pitched one-third of an inning for the win as the Blue Jays handed the Rays their second straight defeat.

Toronto’s Jose Bautista hit his fifth home run of the season and finished a single shy of the cycle. He went 3 for 3, walked twice and scored four runs.

Juan Rivera hit a one-out single in the 11th off Cesar Ramos and Russell came on to face McDonald, who homered to left.

McDonald didn’t start the game, coming on defensively in the second after Blue Jays second baseman Jayson Nix was injured in a knee-on-knee collision with Tampa Bay’s Sean Rodriguez, who slid into Nix while trying to break up a double play.

Nix left with a sore left knee and is day to day.

The Blue Jays are already without regular second baseman Aaron Hill, who missed his second straight game with a sore right hamstring. Hill was injured stealing second in Tuesday’s victory over the New York Yankees.

B.J. Upton’s sacrifice fly gave the Rays a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but Toronto tied it in the bottom half. Bautista hit a two-out double that skipped off Sam Fuld’s glove in left, sliding into second just ahead of the throw. Adam Lind followed with an RBI single to center.

Fuld singled, stole second and scored on a hit by Upton in the third, but the Blue Jays tied it again in the fourth when Bautista tripled past a diving Ben Zobrist in right and scored on Lind’s double.

The Rays reclaimed the lead with a two-run fifth. Fuld scored Kelly Shoppach with a triple to right and Johnny Damon followed with an RBI double.

Bautista closed the gap to one with a leadoff homer to left off Jeremy Hellickson in the fifth, then scored the tying run in the eighth as Toronto rallied against reliever Joel Peralta.

Needing just a single for the cycle, Bautista walked on four pitches to begin the inning, moving to second on Lind’s grounder. Bautista was nearly picked off, staying alive when Rodriguez dropped Peralta’s throw. Edwin Encarnacion made the Rays pay by lining an RBI double off the right field wall.

Hellickson matched his career high by working seven innings, allowing three runs and six hits. He walked two and struck out six.

Blue Jays left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes gave up four runs and six hits in seven innings. He walked one and struck out six.

NOTES: Rays LHP J.P. Howell (left shoulder) threw 25 pitches in an extended spring training game Friday. He struck out four and allowed two hits in 1 1-3 innings. … Rays manager Joe Maddon said he would not use Monday’s day off to skip RHP Jeff Niemann, who is 0-3 with a 7.08 ERA in four starts. … Toronto OF Rajai Davis (right ankle) began a minor league rehab assignment at Double-A New Hampshire on Friday, going 1 for 3 with a strikeout. … Blue Jays outfielders Scott Podsednik and Dewayne Wise both started for Class-A Dunedin in a game at Tampa on Friday night. Podsednik has been bothered by plantar fasciitis.

The Tampa Bay Rays entered the game with the only undefeated bullpen left in baseball.

John McDonald ended that run.

Tampa blew its first save and suffered its first defeat when McDonald hit a walkoff two-run home run in the 11th inning and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-4 on Friday night.

McDonald connected for his first home run of the season against Rays right-hander Adam Russell (1-1).

“I liked my fastball matchup against him,” Russell said. “It just didn’t get where I wanted it to go and I paid the price.”

Rays relievers came in 3-0 and 4 for 4 in save opportunities, but ended up beaten by a light-hitting backup infielder.

“McDonald is our kryptonite,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said.

McDonald, who’d never hit a walkoff homer before, said he doesn’t relish facing Tampa Bay’s staff.

“There’s a lot of good pitchers over there,” he said. “You don’t go into Tampa thinking ‘I can’t wait to face (David) Price and (Jeff) Niemann. But anytime you can make a manager feel that way across the other side it makes you feel like you’re accomplishing something.”

Marc Rzepczynski (2-0) pitched one-third of an inning for the win as the Blue Jays handed the Rays their second straight defeat.

Toronto’s Jose Bautista hit his fifth home run of the season and finished a single shy of the cycle. He went 3 for 3, walked twice and scored four runs.

Juan Rivera hit a one-out single in the 11th off Cesar Ramos and Russell came on to face McDonald, who homered to left on a 1-0 fastball.

McDonald didn’t start the game, coming on defensively in the second after Blue Jays second baseman Jayson Nix was injured in a knee-on-knee collision with Tampa Bay’s Sean Rodriguez, who slid into Nix while trying to break up a double play.

“I didn’t think it was a bad slide,” Nix said. “I would have done the same thing in the same situation.”

Nix left with a sore left knee and is day to day. X-rays were negative.

“I have some pain in the middle of my leg, in the fibula, but the knee is the biggest problem right now,” he said.

The Blue Jays are already without regular second baseman Aaron Hill, who missed his second straight game with a sore right hamstring. Hill was injured stealing second in Tuesday’s victory over the New York Yankees.

B.J. Upton’s sacrifice fly gave the Rays a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but Toronto tied it in the bottom half. Bautista hit a two-out double that skipped off Sam Fuld’s glove in left, sliding into second just ahead of the throw. Adam Lind followed with an RBI single to center.

Fuld singled, stole second and scored on a hit by Upton in the third, but the Blue Jays tied it again in the fourth when Bautista tripled past a diving Ben Zobrist in right and scored on Lind’s double.

The Rays reclaimed the lead with a two-run fifth. Fuld scored Kelly Shoppach with a triple to right and Johnny Damon followed with an RBI double.

Bautista closed the gap to one with a leadoff homer to left off Jeremy Hellickson in the fifth, then scored the tying run in the eighth as Toronto rallied against reliever Joel Peralta.

Needing just a single for the cycle, Bautista walked on four pitches to begin the inning, moving to second on Lind’s grounder. Bautista was nearly picked off, staying alive when Rodriguez dropped Peralta’s throw.

“I thought it was going to bounce so I kind of picked my glove up just a little bit,” Rodriguez said. “I had it snowconed but when I went to turn around it popped out.”

Edwin Encarnacion made the Rays pay by lining an RBI double off the right field wall.

Hellickson matched his career high by working seven innings, allowing three runs and six hits. He walked two and struck out six.

Blue Jays left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes gave up four runs and six hits in seven innings. He walked one and struck out six.

NOTES: Rays LHP J.P. Howell (left shoulder) threw 25 pitches in an extended spring training game Friday. He struck out four and allowed two hits in 1 1-3 innings. … Rays manager Joe Maddon said he would not use Monday’s day off to skip RHP Jeff Niemann, who is 0-3 with a 7.08 ERA in four starts. … Toronto OF Rajai Davis (right ankle) began a minor league rehab assignment at Double-A New Hampshire on Friday, going 1 for 3 with a strikeout. … Blue Jays outfielders Scott Podsednik and Dewayne Wise both started for Class-A Dunedin in a game at Tampa on Friday night. Podsednik has been bothered by plantar fasciitis. … The Blue Jays traded INF Brad Emaus to Colorado for RHP Chris Malone and a player to be named or cash.

TORONTO – John McDonald hit a walkoff two-run home run in the 11th inning and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-4 on Friday night.

McDonald connected for his first home run of the season against Rays right-hander Adam Russell (1-1).

Marc Rzepczynski (2-0) pitched one-third of an inning for the win as the Blue Jays handed the Rays their second straight defeat.

Toronto’s Jose Bautista hit his fifth home run of the season and finished a single shy of the cycle. He went 3 for 3, walked twice and scored four runs.

Juan Rivera hit a one-out single in the 11th off Cesar Ramos and Russell came on to face McDonald, who homered to left.

McDonald didn’t start the game, coming on defensively in the second after Blue Jays second baseman Jayson Nix was injured in a knee-on-knee collision with Tampa Bay’s Sean Rodriguez, who slid into Nix while trying to break up a double play.

Nix left with a sore left knee and is day to day.

The Blue Jays are already without regular second baseman Aaron Hill, who missed his second straight game with a sore right hamstring. Hill was injured stealing second in Tuesday’s victory over the New York Yankees.

B.J. Upton’s sacrifice fly gave the Rays a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but Toronto tied it in the bottom half. Bautista hit a two-out double that skipped off Sam Fuld’s glove in left, sliding into second just ahead of the throw. Adam Lind followed with an RBI single to center.

Fuld singled, stole second and scored on a hit by Upton in the third, but the Blue Jays tied it again in the fourth when Bautista tripled past a diving Ben Zobrist in right and scored on Lind’s double.

The Rays reclaimed the lead with a two-run fifth. Fuld scored Kelly Shoppach with a triple to right and Johnny Damon followed with an RBI double.

Bautista closed the gap to one with a leadoff homer to left off Jeremy Hellickson in the fifth, then scored the tying run in the eighth as Toronto rallied against reliever Joel Peralta.

Needing just a single for the cycle, Bautista walked on four pitches to begin the inning, moving to second on Lind’s grounder. Bautista was nearly picked off, staying alive when Rodriguez dropped Peralta’s throw. Edwin Encarnacion made the Rays pay by lining an RBI double off the right field wall.

Hellickson matched his career high by working seven innings, allowing three runs and six hits. He walked two and struck out six.

Blue Jays left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes gave up four runs and six hits in seven innings. He walked one and struck out six.

NOTES: Rays LHP J.P. Howell (left shoulder) threw 25 pitches in an extended spring training game Friday. He struck out four and allowed two hits in 1 1-3 innings. … Rays manager Joe Maddon said he would not use Monday’s day off to skip RHP Jeff Niemann, who is 0-3 with a 7.08 ERA in four starts. … Toronto OF Rajai Davis (right ankle) began a minor league rehab assignment at Double-A New Hampshire on Friday, going 1 for 3 with a strikeout. … Blue Jays outfielders Scott Podsednik and Dewayne Wise both started for Class-A Dunedin in a game at Tampa on Friday night. Podsednik has been bothered by plantar fasciitis.

TORONTO – John McDonald hit a walkoff two-run home run in the 11th inning and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-4 on Friday night.

McDonald connected for his first home run of the season against Rays right-hander Adam Russell (1-1).

Marc Rzepczynski (2-0) pitched one-third of an inning for the win as the Blue Jays handed the Rays their second straight defeat.

Toronto’s Jose Bautista hit his fifth home run of the season and finished a single shy of the cycle. He went 3 for 3, walked twice and scored four runs.

Juan Rivera hit a one-out single in the 11th off Cesar Ramos and Russell came on to face McDonald, who homered to left.

McDonald didn’t start the game, coming on defensively in the second after Blue Jays second baseman Jayson Nix was injured in a knee-on-knee collision with Tampa Bay’s Sean Rodriguez, who slid into Nix while trying to break up a double play.

Nix left with a sore left knee and is day to day.

The Blue Jays are already without regular second baseman Aaron Hill, who missed his second straight game with a sore right hamstring. Hill was injured stealing second in Tuesday’s victory over the New York Yankees.

B.J. Upton’s sacrifice fly gave the Rays a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but Toronto tied it in the bottom half. Bautista hit a two-out double that skipped off Sam Fuld’s glove in left, sliding into second just ahead of the throw. Adam Lind followed with an RBI single to center.

Fuld singled, stole second and scored on a hit by Upton in the third, but the Blue Jays tied it again in the fourth when Bautista tripled past a diving Ben Zobrist in right and scored on Lind’s double.

The Rays reclaimed the lead with a two-run fifth. Fuld scored Kelly Shoppach with a triple to right and Johnny Damon followed with an RBI double.

Bautista closed the gap to one with a leadoff homer to left off Jeremy Hellickson in the fifth, then scored the tying run in the eighth as Toronto rallied against reliever Joel Peralta.

Needing just a single for the cycle, Bautista walked on four pitches to begin the inning, moving to second on Lind’s grounder. Bautista was nearly picked off, staying alive when Rodriguez dropped Peralta’s throw. Edwin Encarnacion made the Rays pay by lining an RBI double off the right field wall.

Hellickson matched his career high by working seven innings, allowing three runs and six hits. He walked two and struck out six.

Blue Jays left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes gave up four runs and six hits in seven innings. He walked one and struck out six.

NOTES: Rays LHP J.P. Howell (left shoulder) threw 25 pitches in an extended spring training game Friday. He struck out four and allowed two hits in 1 1-3 innings. … Rays manager Joe Maddon said he would not use Monday’s day off to skip RHP Jeff Niemann, who is 0-3 with a 7.08 ERA in four starts. … Toronto OF Rajai Davis (right ankle) began a minor league rehab assignment at Double-A New Hampshire on Friday, going 1 for 3 with a strikeout. … Blue Jays outfielders Scott Podsednik and Dewayne Wise both started for Class-A Dunedin in a game at Tampa on Friday night. Podsednik has been bothered by plantar fasciitis.

A pair of AL East inhabitants square off tonight up north, as the Toronto Blue Jays play host to the Tampa Bay Rays at Air Canada Centre.

Tampa Bay won 10 of the 18 meetings with Toronto last season and is 24-12 in the last two seasons in this series.

The Rays will also visit Minnesota for three games on their six-game trek and lost out on a chance to sweep the Chicago White Sox in four games with Thursday’s lopsided 9-2 loss at Tropicana Field. Rays starter Jeff Niemann remained winless on the season (0-3) after he gave up six runs — five earned — and six hits in 4 2/3 innings.

“He’s still not back to where we need him to be, but I think he’s on the verge,” said Rays manager Joe Madden. “He’s not far off, in spite of what you may think. Some of the pitches were up, the breaking ball wasn’t as sharp as usual. But then again, he made some really good pitches, too.”

Sam Fuld supplied the runs for Tampa Bay with two hits and two RBI. The Rays lost for only the second time in 10 tries.

Jeremy Hellickson will handle pitching duties for Maddon’s club tonight and is 1-2 with a 4.50 earned run average in three starts. He was previously in action in Sunday’s 4-2 loss versus the Twins and allowed all four runs on six hits in seven innings of work.

Hellickson, a right-hander, was coming off a win at Boston in which he held the Red Sox to a pair of runs over 5 1/3 frames. Hellickson has never faced the Blue Jays in his career.

Toronto has dropped eight of its last 11 games and split a two-game set with the rival New York Yankees this week. After taking the series opener on Tuesday by a 6-5 score in 10 innings, the Jays dropped a 6-2 decision the following night.

J.P. Arencibia homered, Jayson Nix knocked in a run and both Yunel Escobar and Travis Snider ended with two hits for the Blue Jays, who received a rough outing from Brett Cecil. Cecil was banged around for five runs and six hits in five innings with four K’s and four walks.

Cecil, who led the Jays with 15 wins a year ago, was sent to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

“It’s clear that Brett is extremely frustrated,” Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos told the team’s site. “We just think from a timing standpoint, this is the right move for us and also the right move for Brett.

“This gives him a chance to catch his breath a little bit, get his confidence back. I think everyone has seen that the performance is starting to wear on him, and he wants to do as well as anybody and he hasn’t been able to do it.”

Toronto’s Jo-Jo Reyes hasn’t fared so well either in his first stint with his new club and will take the mound Friday night. Reyes is 0-2 with a 6.75 earned run average in three starts and lasted just three innings in last Saturday’s 4-1 setback at Boston.

Reyes surrendered all four runs on seven hits and four walks with three strikeouts. The lefty will make his first appearance against Tampa Bay.

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)—The Tampa Bay Rays hope a strong finish in spring training will help them get off to another quick start in the regular season.

Evan Longoria(notes) homered and B.J. Upton(notes) snapped a seventh-inning tie with a two-run single, helping the defending AL East champions beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-3 on Wednesday. The victory enabled Rays to complete their exhibition schedule with a 15-14-2 record after beginning 1-7-1.

The last two times the Rays had a winning record in spring training, Tampa Bay went on to win the division title.

“I just thought we played well,” manager Joe Maddon said, “and that’s all we’re looking for.”

Elliot Johnson(notes) also hit a solo homer for the Rays. Jose Bautista(notes) had a RBI single and Adam Lind(notes) drove in two runs with a third-inning double for the Blue Jays.

Both teams open the regular season at home on Friday night, with Tampa Bay facing the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto getting started against the Minnesota Twins.

In addition to playing better after the slow exhibition start, the Rays head into their opener with just one player—reliever J.P. Howell(notes), who missed all of 2010 after having shoulder surgery—bound for the disabled list. The left-hander is expected to run some time in May.

“It’s great to go into the season healthy,” Maddon said. “That’s one of your biggest goals. … J.P’s making some really good progress also.”

Longoria homered off Blue Jays starter Jo Jo Reyes. Upton scored on the back end of a delayed steal in the third inning, then delivered his winning hit off Marc Rzepczynski(notes) in the seventh.

Toronto scored all three of its runs off Rays starter Jeff Niemann(notes), who allowed three runs and four hits in four innings. The 6-foot-9 right-hander walked one and struck out two while throwing 65 pitches in his final tuneup for Tampa Bay’s fourth game of the season, at home against the Los Angeles Angels.

Reyes allowed two runs on one hit, walked three and struck out six in four innings. Will Ledezma allowed Johnson’s home run, which made it 3-all in the fifth.

Meanwhile, Bautista went 2 for 2 to finish with a .400 batting average (24 for 60) and a team-high 14 RBIs. Toronto’s 16-14 record was the best among AL teams.

Rays designated hitter Manny Ramirez(notes) was excused from the finale to attend to a personal matter.

“I found out about it two days ago, so we talked and I said there’s no problem, just take care of everything and come back,” Maddon said. “It’s something that he really had to do today, so I was good with it.”

Ramirez is expected to return before Friday’s opener. The 12-time All-Star, one of Tampa Bay’s two biggest offseason acquisitions, batted .311 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 19 exhibitions.

The Tampa Bay Rays hope a strong finish in spring training will help them get off to another quick start in the regular season.

Evan Longoria homered and B.J. Upton snapped a seventh-inning tie with a two-run single, helping the defending AL East champions beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-3 on Wednesday. The victory enabled Rays to complete their exhibition schedule with a 15-14-2 record after beginning 1-7-1.

The last two times the Rays had a winning record in spring training, Tampa Bay went on to win the division title.

“I just thought we played well,” manager Joe Maddon said, “and that’s all we’re looking for.”

Elliot Johnson also hit a solo homer for the Rays. Jose Bautista had a RBI single and Adam Lind drove in two runs with a third-inning double for the Blue Jays.

Both teams open the regular season at home on Friday night, with Tampa Bay facing the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto getting started against the Minnesota Twins.

In addition to playing better after the slow exhibition start, the Rays head into their opener with just one player — reliever J.P. Howell, who missed all of 2010 after having shoulder surgery — bound for the disabled list. The left-hander is expected to run some time in May.

“It’s great to go into the season healthy,” Maddon said. “That’s one of your biggest goals. … J.P’s making some really good progress also.”

Longoria homered off Blue Jays starter Jo Jo Reyes. Upton scored on the back end of a delayed steal in the third inning, then delivered his winning hit off Marc Rzepczynski in the seventh.

Toronto scored all three of its runs off Rays starter Jeff Niemann, who allowed three runs and four hits in four innings. The six-foot-nine right-hander walked one and struck out two while throwing 65 pitches in his final tuneup for Tampa Bay’s fourth game of the season, at home against the Los Angeles Angels.

Reyes allowed two runs on one hit, walked three and struck out six in four innings. Will Ledezma allowed Johnson’s home run, which made it 3-3 in the fifth.

Meanwhile, Bautista went 2 for 2 to finish with a .400 batting average (24 for 60) and a team-high 14 RBIs. Toronto’s 16-14 record was the best among AL teams.

Rays designated hitter Manny Ramirez was excused from the finale to attend to a personal matter.

“I found out about it two days ago, so we talked and I said there’s no problem, just take care of everything and come back,” Maddon said. “It’s something that he really had to do today, so I was good with it.”

Ramirez is expected to return before Friday’s opener. The 12-time all-star, one of Tampa Bay’s two biggest off-season acquisitions, batted .311 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 19 exhibitions.

April 1 Minnesota, 7:07 p.m.

April 2 Minnesota, 1:07 p.m.

April 3 Minnesota, 1:07 p.m.

April 5 Oakland, 7:07 p.m.

April 6 Oakland, 7:07 p.m.

April 7 Oakland, 12:37 p.m.

April 8 at L.A. Angels, 10:05 p.m.

April 9 at L.A. Angels, 9:05 p.m.

April 10 at L.A. Angels, 3:35 p.m.

April 11 at Seattle, 10:10 p.m.

April 12 at Seattle, 3:40 p.m.

April 13 at Seattle

April 15 at Boston, 7:10 p.m.

April 16 at Boston, 1:10 p.m.

April 17 at Boston, 1:35 p.m.

April 18 at Boston, 11:05 a.m.

April 19 N.Y. Yankees, 7:07 p.m.

April 20 N.Y. Yankees, 7:07 p.m.

April 22 Tampa Bay, 7:07 p.m.

April 23 Tampa Bay, 1:07 p.m.

April 24 Tampa Bay, 1:07 p.m.

April 25 at Texas, 8:05 p.m.

April 26 at Texas, 8:05 p.m.

April 27 at Texas, 2:05 p.m.

April 28 at Texas, 2:05 p.m.

April 29 at N.Y. Yankees, 7:05 p.m.

April 30 at N.Y. Yankees, 4:05 p.m.

May 1 at N.Y. Yankees, 1:05 p.m.

May 3 at Tampa Bay, 6:40 p.m.

May 4 at Tampa Bay, 6:40 p.m.

May 5 at Tampa Bay, 1:10 p.m.

May 6 Detroit, 7:07 p.m.

May 7 Detroit, 4:07 p.m.

May 8 Detroit, 1:07 p.m.

May 9 Detroit, 7:07 p.m.

May 10 Boston, 7:07 p.m.

May 11 Boston, 7:07 p.m.

May 13 at Minnesota, 8:10 p.m.

May 14 at Minnesota, 4:10 p.m.

May 15 at Minnesota, 2:10 p.m.

May 16 at Detroit, 7:05 p.m.

May 17 at Detroit, 7:05 p.m.

May 18 Tampa Bay, 7:07 p.m.

May 19 Tampa Bay, 7:07 p.m.

May 20 Houston, 7:07 p.m.

May 21 Houston, 1:07 p.m.

May 22 Houston, 1:07 p.m.

May 23 at N.Y. Yankees, 7:05 p.m.

May 24 at N.Y. Yankees, 7:05 p.m.

May 25 at N.Y. Yankees, 1:05 p.m.

May 26 Chicago White Sox, 7:07 p.m.

May 27 Chicago White Sox, 7:07 p.m.

May 28 Chicago White Sox, 1:07 p.m.

May 29 Chicago White Sox, 1:07 p.m.

May 30 Cleveland, 7:07 p.m.

May 31 Cleveland, 7:07 p.m.

June 1 Cleveland, 7:07 p.m.

June 3 at Baltimore, 7:05 p.m.

June 4 at Baltimore, 7:05 p.m.

June 5 at Baltimore, 1:35 p.m.

June 6 at Kansas City, 8:10 p.m.

June 7 at Kansas City, 8:10 p.m.

June 8 at Kansas City, 8:10 p.m.

June 9 at Kansas City, 4:10 p.m.

June 10 Boston, 7:07 p.m.

June 11 Boston, 1:07 p.m.

June 12 Boston, 1:07 p.m.

June 14 Baltimore, 7:07 p.m.

June 15 Baltimore, 7:07 p.m.

June 16 Baltimore, 12:37 p.m.

June 17 at Cincinnati, 7:10 p.m.

June 18 at Cincinnati, 7:10 p.m.

June 19 at Cincinnati, 1:10 p.m.

June 20 at Atlanta, 7:10 p.m.

June 21 at Atlanta, 7:10 p.m.

June 22 at Atlanta, 1:05 p.m.

June 24 at St. Louis, 8:15 p.m.

June 25 at St. Louis, 7:15 p.m.

June 26 at St. Louis, 2:15 p.m.

June 28 Pittsburgh, 7:07 p.m.

June 29 Pittsburgh, 7:07 p.m.

June 30 Pittsburgh, 7:07 p.m.

July 1 Philadelphia, 1:07 p.m.

July 2 Philadelphia, 1:07 p.m.

July 3 Philadelphia, 1:07 p.m.

July 4 at Boston, 1:35 p.m.

July 5 at Boston, 7:10 p.m.

July 6 at Boston, 7:10 p.m.

July 7 at Cleveland, 7:05 p.m.

July 8 at Cleveland, 7:05 p.m.

July 9 at Cleveland, 7:05 p.m.

July 10 at Cleveland, 1:05 p.m.

July 14 N.Y. Yankees, 7:07 p.m.

July 15 N.Y. Yankees, 7:07 p.m.

July 16 N.Y. Yankees, 1:07 p.m.

July 17 N.Y. Yankees, 1:07 p.m.

July 19 Seattle, 7:07 p.m.

July 20 Seattle, 12:37 p.m.

July 21 Seattle, 7:07 p.m.

July 22 at Texas, 8:05 p.m.

July 23 at Texas, TBA

July 24 at Texas, 8:05 p.m.

July 26 Baltimore, 7:07 p.m.

July 27 Baltimore, 7:07 p.m.

July 28 Baltimore, 7:07 p.m.

July 29 Texas, 7:07 p.m.

July 30 Texas, 1:07 p.m.

July 31 Texas, 1:07 p.m.

Aug. 2 at Tampa Bay, 7:10 p.m.

Aug. 3 at Tampa Bay, 7:10 p.m.

Aug. 4 at Tampa Bay, 12:10 p.m.

Aug. 5 at Baltimore, 7:05 p.m.

Aug. 6 at Baltimore, 7:05 p.m.

Aug. 7 at Baltimore, 1:35 p.m.

Aug. 9 Oakland, 7:07 p.m.

Aug. 10 Oakland, 7:07 p.m.

Aug. 11 Oakland, 12:37 p.m.

Aug. 12 L.A. Angels, 7:07 p.m.

Aug. 13 L.A. Angels, 1:07 p.m.

Aug. 14 L.A. Angels, 1:07 p.m.

Aug. 15 at Seattle, 10:10 p.m.

Aug. 16 at Seattle, 10:10 p.m.

Aug. 17 at Seattle, 10:10 p.m.

Aug. 18 at Oakland, 10:07 p.m.

Aug. 19 at Oakland, 10:07 p.m.

Aug. 20 at Oakland, 9:07 p.m.

Aug. 21 at Oakland, 4:07 p.m.

Aug. 23 Kansas City, 7:07 p.m.

Aug. 24 Kansas City, 7:07 p.m.

Aug. 25 Kansas City, 7:07 p.m.

Aug. 26 Tampa Bay, 7:07 p.m.

Aug. 27 Tampa Bay, 1:07 p.m.

Aug. 28 Tampa Bay, 1:07 p.m.

Aug. 29 Tampa Bay, 7:07 p.m.

Aug. 30 at Baltimore, 7:05 p.m.

Aug. 31 at Baltimore, 7:05 p.m.

Sept. 1 at Baltimore, 7:05 p.m.

Sept. 2 at N.Y. Yankees, 7:05 p.m.

Sept. 3 at N.Y. Yankees, 1:05 p.m.

Sept. 4 at N.Y. Yankees, 1:05 p.m.

Sept. 5 Boston, 1:07 p.m.

Sept. 6 Boston, 7:07 p.m.

Sept. 7 Boston, 7:07 p.m.

Sept. 8 Boston, 7:07 p.m.

Sept. 9 Baltimore, 7:07 p.m.

Sept. 10 Baltimore, 1:07 p.m.

Sept. 11 Baltimore, 1:07 p.m.

Sept. 13 at Boston, 7:10 p.m.

Sept. 14 at Boston, 1:35 p.m.

Sept. 16 N.Y. Yankees, 7:07 p.m.

Sept. 17 N.Y. Yankees, 1:07 p.m.

Sept. 18 N.Y. Yankees, 1:07 p.m.

Sept. 19 L.A. Angels, 7:07 p.m.

Sept. 20 L.A. Angels, 7:07 p.m.

Sept. 21 L.A. Angels, 7:07 p.m.

Sept. 22 L.A. Angels, 7:07 p.m.

Sept. 23 at Tampa Bay, 7:10 p.m.

Sept. 24 at Tampa Bay, 7:10 p.m.

Sept. 25 at Tampa Bay, 1:40 p.m.

Sept. 26 at Chicago White Sox, 8:10 p.m.

Sept. 27 at Chicago White Sox, 8:10 p.m.

Sept. 28 at Chicago White Sox, 2:10 p.m.