Fri Jul 18 22:08:45 2008

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Zobrist's HR helps Rays put an end to seven-game slide

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St. Petersburg, FL (Sports Network) - Ben Zobrist clubbed the go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh inning, and Tampa Bay snapped a season-long seven-game losing streak with a 2-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Rays (56-39), who have been a huge surprise this season, entered the post All-Star break with a half-game deficit on first-place Boston in the AL East. They improved to a stellar 37-14 as the host and have won 16 of their last 20 at Tropicana Field.

James Shields (8-6) allowed four hits, including a third-inning homer from Adam Lind, over seven innings to win for the fourth time in five starts. J.P. Howell threw two-thirds of an inning. Grant Balfour escaped a jam in the eighth and struck out three batters, nailing down his fourth save of the year.

Shields is 6-1 at home this year and 4-0 lifetime against the Blue Jays..

A.J. Burnett (10-9) pitched well in defeat, giving up five hits, to go with three walks and six strikeouts in seven innings.

Lind homered on a 2-2 pitch to right field with one out in the third, but the Rays, who didn't get a hit in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, finally went ahead courtesy of Zobrist's fourth homer of the year.

Eric Hinske walked with two outs in the seventh, and Zobrist then nailed a first pitch over the wall in right.

Howell got into trouble in the eighth when Lind reached second on a Zobrist throwing error. Joe Inglett's sacrifice bunt advanced Lind to third, but Marco Scutaro grounded out, and then Balfour came on to fan Alex Rios.

Balfour struck out Matt Stairs and Lyle Overbay as part of a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

The Rays had decent opportunities for runs in the first and second innings, leaving runners on second and third in the opening frame, and at the corners in the second.

Game Notes

Overbay had two of Toronto's four hits, while Akinori Iwamura singled twice to highlight Tampa Bay's five-hit night...The Rays are 6-1 versus the Blue Jays this season...Prior to the game, the Rays activated right-handed pitcher Al Reyes from the 15-day disabled list. The team originally placed Reyes on the DL on June 13 due to right shoulder tendinitis.