Rays enjoy another small victory, beating AL-best Blue Jays again

Marc Topkin, Tampa Bay Times on Sep 18, 2025

Published in Baseball

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TAMPA, Fla. — The Rays haven’t won enough games this season, which is why they soon will be officially eliminated from the American League playoff race.

As a result, they have to make the most of their small victories.

For example, beating the American League-best Blue Jays for a second straight game, 4-0 on Thursday, and keeping them from clinching a playoff spot while they were at Steinbrenner Field.

The Rays also are benefiting from having their young players compete against playoff-bound teams.

The Rays took a 3-0 lead in the second with an impressive two-out rally off Blue Jays right-hander Chris Bassitt.

Hunter Feduccia and Carson Williams singled, then burly slugger Bob Seymour — all rookies — hustled to beat the throw on an infield grounder to load the bases.

Chandler Simpson, another rookie, dropped a single into shallow center that scored two. Brandon Lowe followed with a single off second baseman Ernie Clement’s glove to make it 3-0.

Williams delivered a 402-foot homer — his fourth in 24 big league games — to left off reliever Eric Lauer in the sixth to extend the lead to 4-0.

Shane Baz, who lasted only 2 1/3 innings in his previous start, gave the Rays five shutout innings, allowing only two hits with one walk while striking out four.

Relievers Griffin Jax, Kevin Kelly, Garrett Cleavinger and Bryan Baker took it from there, as the Jays were shut out for the first time since June 13 and the fifth time this season.

The Rays improved to 75-78 and with nine games left have to go 7-2 to finish above .500.