The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 10-9 in 12 innings. After the fourth inning, the Blue Jays led 8-0 after they scored two runs each in the first four innings. David Price, the Rays starting pitcher, only lasted three innings and gave up six of those runs as his struggles continue. The Rays started making their comeback in the seventh inning down 9-1. They scored four runs to come within four runs. Down two in the ninth inning, Carlos Pena and Willie Aybar both hit solo home runs to tie the game at nine. Jason Bartlett had the game winning RBI double in the 12th inning to complete the comeback for the Rays.
Comebacks of this magnitude are becoming a trend in the American League this year. Earlier this year, the Cleveland Indians came back down 10 to beat the Rays. Also, the Baltimore Orioles beat the Red Sox after being down nine runs earlier in the game and the Oakland Athletics beat the Minnesota Twins earlier this week after being down 10 runs. It is evident that the AL have better hitting lineups but these teams have to learn how to shut the door when they jump out to a huge lead.
The Rays have the distinction of being on both sides of comebacks, winning today against the Rays and losing to the Indians earlier this season. This gives the Rays an important win, however, because the New York Yankees lost. The AL East race is between the Yankees, Rays and Boston Red Sox. The Rays are now five and a half games behind the Yankees and four behind the Red Sox. Any of these three teams have a chance to win the division, based on whoever can finish the season strong.
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