The Blue Jays beat the Rays and move closer to the playoffs

(Toronto) The Toronto Blue Jays took another step toward a playoff spot on Friday night, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 11-4 at Rogers Center.

Alejandro Kirk, Brandon Belt and Matt Chapman each hit a long ball for the Blue Jays (89-71), who outscored the Rays 16-7.

Bo Bichette put in four safety balls and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. added three hits to his total for Toronto, which has won nine of its last 13 games.

Yandy Diaz was the positive element for the Rays (97-63), who are already guaranteed first place among the teams called up and the fourth seed in the Americano. Diaz hit a two-run home run and drove in three times.

The victory strengthened the Blue Jays’ dominance in the second division of drafted teams. She also lowered the magic number to one for the Seattle Mariners, who will face the Texas Rangers later tonight.

The American East section champions, the Baltimore Orioles, have already confirmed their place as the first seed, while the Central section champions, the Minnesota Twins, will be third.

Heading into Friday’s game, the Rangers had a two-game lead over the Houston Astros in the race for the top of the West Division and second place in the AFC. The Astros are also third among drafted teams, one game behind the Blue Jays and one game ahead of the Mariners.

Several playoff matchups are yet to be determined on the final weekend of the season.

The Rays have used several regulars as starters, although this three-game series is essentially a tune-up for the playoffs.

The visitors were aggressive from the start of the game against Blue Jays starter Yusei Kikuchi (11-6), who needed just five pitches to collect the first three outs.

Rays starter Aaron Civale (7-5) was removed from the game in the second inning after allowing Kirk’s eighth home run of the season and allowing the next two batters to walk.

Zack Littell took over and walked George Springer before striking out Belt with the bases all loaded.

Littell struggled in the third inning, allowing back-to-back singles, a walk and a two-run single to Kirk.

Cavan Biggio made it 4-0 for the Blue Jays when he touched home plate after a long sacrifice fly by Kevin Kiermaier.

Rays center fielder Manuel Margot threw a fly that pushed Chapman to second base and moved Kirk to third base. Littell ended the threat by removing Daulton Varsho and Springer.

Belt began the bottom of the fourth inning by hitting his 18th^{It is} four goals this season.

Margot’s rough night continued later when he misjudged a Biggio single. The ball hit the fence, allowing Bichette and Biggio to cross the plate.

Chapman scored 17^{It is} circuit of the season, in the fifth inning. Diaz finally got the Rays on the scoreboard during his team’s four-run sixth inning.

The Blue Jays added insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning after a single by Biggio. The Toronto team added a point in the seventh.

Kikuchi allowed three earned runs, five hits and two walks in five-plus innings of work. He struck out four Rays players.

Chad Green, Yimi Garcia and Jay Jackson pitched in relief for the Blue Jays. pinch hitter Cam Eden struck out in his first appearance in the Majors, in the eighth inning.