ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Sept. 21 (UPI) -- Luke Scott and Jose Molina combined to drive in seven runs Friday and Tampa Bay produced 16 hits in rolling over Toronto 12-1.
The Rays won their third in a row and improved their slim playoff hopes by moving within 4 1/2 games of Oakland for the second wild card berth in the American League.
Tampa Bay raced to an 8-0 lead through four innings and added four more runs in the sixth to turn the game into a rout.
Scott delivered two-run doubles in both the third and sixth innings. Molina had a two-run homer in the second and drove in another run in the sixth with a fielder's choice grounder. Ben Zobrist opened the scoring with a solo homer in the first.
James Shields (15-9) coasted to the win with seven shutout innings. He gave up six hits and struck out nine.
Carlos Villanueva (7-6) was roughed up for seven runs on eight hits in 2 1/3. It was the Blue Jays' eighth loss in 10 games.
