The winning streak is over for the Toronto Blue Jays, who look to get back on track Tuesday in the middle portion of a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.
The Blue Jays tied a franchise record with 11 wins in a row, but the streak came to a halt in Monday's 4-1 loss to the Rays. Esmil Rogers was tasked with keeping Toronto's streak intact and couldn't get the job done, as he allowed four runs and seven hits, including three homers in a row in the second inning. Rogers lasted six innings, struck out two and walked three batters.
"Losses are never easy, but we've been on a nice little roll," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "You knew it was going to happen sooner or later."
Jose Bautista was credited with the lone RBI and J.P. Arencibia had two of Toronto's four hits.
The Blue Jays lost for the first time since June 10 at the Chicago White Sox and also had a five-game road winning streak stopped.
Mark Buehrle draws the start for the Jays Tuesday and he has won back-to-back trips to the hill and three of his last four decisions. Buehrle fired five innings of two-run ball in a 5-2 win over Colorado last Wednesday and improved to 4-4 in 15 starts with a 4.60 ERA.
The left-handed Buehrle is 1-3 in seven road starts this season and has enjoyed success in his career against the Indians, going 8-3 with a 4.43 ERA in 20 games (15 starts).
The Rays have won two straight and four of six games, and received a fine performance from Jeremy Hellickson. Hellickson delivered seven shutout innings and allowed just one hit. He did walk four and struck out four.
"Out of all the starts this year that he may have pitched well, tonight was the game that I think may have righted the ship for him," Rays manager Joe Maddon said.
James Loney, Wil Myers and Sam Fuld all went deep in succession during the second inning for Tampa Bay. Luke Scott had the other RBI.
Hoping to keep the momentum going for the Rays Tuesday will be Matt Moore. Moore ended a personal three-game losing streak his last time out and was winless in his previous five outings until Thursday's 8-3 win at Yankee Stadium.
Moore allowed three runs and four hits in 6 1/3 innings to push his record to 9-3 in 15 starts with a 4.13 earned run average. The left-hander has allowed 22 runs in his last four starts and defeated Toronto back on May 8. In five career starts against the Blue Jays, Moore is 2-1 with a 3.33 ERA.
Tampa Bay and Toronto have split eight meetings this season.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.