Davis wins again as Rays rout Blue Jays, 13-1

TORONTO - Thanks to another strong start from Wade Davis, the Tampa Bay Rays made a six-run inning stand up this time.

Brad Hawpe hit a grand slam, Davis won his seventh straight decision and the Rays routed the Blue Jays, 13-1, yesterday.

"Of course you're going to look at the offensive outburst, but Wade Davis really pitched well today. He permitted that to happen," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "I thought he had really good stuff. He had a good look about him. That set the whole thing up."

Kelly Shoppach also homered as the AL wild-card leaders won for the third time in four games and moved within one game of the Yankees in the AL East. The Yankees played last night in Texas.

Davis (12-9) improved to 3-0 with a 3.24 ERA in four starts since a stint on the 15-day disabled list caused by a strained right shoulder.

"He's come off the injury and I believe he's throwing the ball better than I've ever seen," Maddon said. "I'm talking about last year in September, and I'm talking at any point during this season. I'm talking velocity, depth on breaking ball, demeanor on the mound, awareness. All those things are getting better and that's why he's pitched so well."

Tampa Bay scored six runs in the first inning of Friday's series opener but blew an 8-1 lead before winning 9-8.

This time, Davis made sure there'd be no Toronto comeback. The righthander, who leads AL rookies in wins, allowed one run and seven hits in seven innings, struck out six and walked three.

"I felt good and I felt under control," Davis said. "My fastball was good, my command was good early and I established it. To get a big lead like that, it makes things a little easier."

Davis, who has not lost since June 27 against Arizona, matched Jeff Niemann (2009-10) and Mark Hendrickson (2005) for the most consecutive victories in Rays history.

Hawpe's homer was his second with the Rays, who signed him to a minor-league contract Aug. 27. He went 2-for-5 and scored twice. - AP