ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Brandon Morrow allowed two hits and struck out nine in seven shutout innings Friday, leading Toronto to a 5-1 victory over Tampa Bay.
The Rays fell 2 1/2 games behind Boston in the race for the American League wild card berth. Tampa Bay's playoff hopes have dwindled as a result of four losses in the last five games.
Boston had its game with the New York Yankees rained out earlier in the evening and that contest will be made up as part of a doubleheader Sunday.
Morrow (11-11) walked four, but the only hits he allowed were a one-out, infield single to Matt Joyce in the second and a one-out single to Casey Kotchman in the seventh.
A throwing error by Tampa Bay starter David Price allowed two unearned runs to score in the third and Kelly Johnson had an RBI single later in the inning.
Eric Thames singled in another run in the fifth and Johnson hit his 21st homer of the season in the sixth.
Price (12-13) gave up five hits and five runs in six innings to take the loss.
