MLB: Tampa Bay 9, Seattle 1

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Matt Garza's seven innings of one-run ball and Matt Joyce's first-inning homer Saturday paced the Tampa Bay Rays' 9-1 rout of Seattle.

Garza (15-9) scattered eight hits, walked none and fanned five, leading Tampa Bay to its fourth straight win and a 1 1/2-game lead over the second-place New York Yankees in the American League East.

Joyce's two-run clout capped a four-run first inning and the Rays never looked back.

B.J. Upton added a solo shot and two RBI, and Carl Crawford went 3-for-4 with a run driven in for the victors.

Seattle starter Doug Fister (6-13) surrendered four runs on five hits in six innings.

Franklin Gutierrez drove in the only run for the Mariners.