Bassitt shines as Blue Jays grind out victory against Rays

Backed by a clutch performance from starter Chris Bassitt, the Toronto Blue Jays picked up a big late-season 6-2 win against their division rival Tampa Bay Rays.

Bassitt battled a formidable Rays lineup and pitched 6 2/3 innings, scattering six hits with two earned runs and eight strikeouts. The Rays took an early 1-0 lead courtesy of former Blue Jays prospect Harold Ramirez, who hit an RBI single.

Toronto got on the board in a big way in the top of the sixth inning when Bo Bichette knocked in a run with an RBI single. Alejandro Kirk walked with the bases loaded, and a Glasnow pitch plunked Matt Chapman to give the Jays a 3-1 lead before an RBI single from Daulton Varsho extended it.

Rays third baseman Curtis Mead would cut the lead to 4-2 before reliever and closer Jordan Romano were able to limit any further damage. Varsho would add insurance with a solo home run in the top of the ninth inning, with George Springer adding an RBI of his own. Romano would then shut the door en route to the 6-2 win, earning his 36th save of the year.

Varsho makes it FIVE ???? @DaultonVarsho25 pic.twitter.com/Z1sLDTco17

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) September 23, 2023

Bassitt improved to 15-8 this year, leading all Blue Jays starters in wins.

Toronto is now 4-4 against the Rays this season, with five more games to go. The win gives the Blue Jays some much-needed breathing room in the American League wild-card race, now leading the Houston Astros by one game and the Seattle Mariners by one-and-a-half games.

After being swept by the Rangers from Sept. 11 to Sept. 14, the Blue Jays have rebounded in a big way, winning six of their last seven games, including a sweep of the Boston Red Sox.

The Blue Jays will hand the ball to Hyun Jin Ryu on Saturday. Rays starter Zack Littell will counter. First pitch goes at 4:07 p.m. ET live on Sportsnet.