Shane McClanahan leads way as Rays beat Blue Jays for 12th win in last 13 games

Marc Topkin, Tampa Bay Times on May 6, 2026

Published in Baseball

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — As Shane McClanahan has pitched increasingly better in his return from 2 1/2 missed seasons due to arm issues, he usually says he feels like he is getting closer to his pre-injury form.

He certainly looked that way Wednesday afternoon, working 5 2/3 shutout innings — in his third straight scoreless outing — while allowing only two Toronto hits and a walk and striking out four.

McClanahan’s performance, plus run-scoring hits by Jonny DeLuca and Chandler Simpson and some clutch relief work, allowed the Rays to continue their torrid tear, with a 3-0 victory over the Blue Jays.

The Rays won their sixth straight and 12th in their last 13 games, improving to 24-12 overall, including a majors-best 22-7 since their 2-5 start.

In doing so, they also extended their streak of games allowing three or fewer runs to a franchise record 13, completed just the third undefeated multi-series homestand in franchise history (2018, 2023), posted their majors-leading fifth series sweep, extended their Tropicana Field winning streak to 12, and moved to 12 games over .500 for the first time since finishing the 2023 season 99-63 en route to the playoffs.

The Rays got two runs in the fourth.

Jonathan Aranda, 11 for 17 in his previous four games, drew a one-out walk. DeLuca laced a double to center that scored Aranda. Ben Williamson grounded a ball up the middle that went off Jays starter Patrick Corbin, with DeLuca moving to third on the out. Simpson followed with a single to right that scored DeLuca.

The Rays took advantage of a Toronto error to add a run in the eighth.

Cedric Mullins led off with a single and went to second on an infield out. After Aranda was intentionally walked, DeLuca grounded a ball to second. Ernie Clement scooped the ball and got the force out at second, but in pursuit of an inning-ending double play threw errantly to first, allowing Mullins to score.

McClanahan was lifted after a two-out walk in the sixth, having thrown only 69 pitches, and with dangerous Vlad Guerrero Jr. coming to the plate.

Kevin Kelly took over and got Guerrero on a fly out to deep right. Kelly allowed a leadoff single in the seventh, got two outs, but allowed another single.

Rays manager Kevin Cash then opted for lefty Garrett Cleavinger. He threw a wild pitch, advancing the runners to third and second, but then struck out Yohendrick Pinango.

Bryan Baker worked the eighth and Ian Seymour the ninth.

The Rays left after the game for Boston, where they open a four-game series on Thursday night.