TORONTO (SNN-TV) – Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his major league-leading 45th home run, Alek Manoah set a career high by pitching eight shutout innings of one-hit ball, and the Toronto Blue Jays routed the Tampa Bay Rays 8-1 on Monday night.
The AL East-leading Rays, outhit 17-2, lost for the fourth time in five games and are 5-7 this month after going 21-6 in August.
Tampa Bay left-hander Ryan Yarbrough allowed seven runs and 10 hits in 2 1/3 innings of early relief. Rays outfielder Austin Meadows hit a home run off Trevor Richards in the ninth, his 25th.
Tonight at 7, the Blue Jays send José Berríos to the mound to face Rays righty Drew Rasmussen, in the second game of the 3-game set.
Yesterday post-game, Rays skipper Kevin Cash raved about the talented Blue Jays squad. “Look, that’s a very solid lineup. Good lineup. That is swinging the bat very, very well coming into this series. They’ve kind of continued that momentum they’ve created back here at home. They had such a good road trip.”
Also, today the Rays announced that last night’s starter, Ryan Yarbrough, was named their 2021 Roberto Clemente Award nominee.