MLB: Toronto 1, Tampa Bay 0

TORONTO, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Rookie southpaw David Purcey came within three outs of his first complete-game shutout Sunday while leading Toronto to a 1-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

The victory, Toronto's eighth straight, completed a three-game sweep.

Purcey (3-5) gave up six hits in eight scoreless innings with three walks and seven strikeouts.

Reliever Jesse Carlson struck out two of the three batters he faced in the ninth to record his second save.

The game's only run scored on Rod Barajas's one-out, second-inning sacrifice fly.

Six Blue Jays players had one hit, but they stayed alive in the American League wild card chase.

B.J. Upton had three hits and Willy Aybar two for the AL East-leading Rays, whose lead over Boston dropped to two games.

Losing pitcher Matt Garza (11-9) surrendered an earned run and six hits in seven innings with a walk and seven strikeouts.