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 Toronto Blue Jays 13-1 Saturday.
"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.
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."
This time, Davis made sure there'd be no Toronto comeback. The right-hander, who leads AL rookies in wins, allowed one run and seven hits in seven innings, struck out six and walked three.
TWINS 1, INDIANS 0 (12 innings): At Cleveland, Jim Thome hit his 587th homer, passing Hall of Famer Frank Robinson for eighth place on the career list and lifting the Minnesota Twins. Thome hit a 2-0 pitch from Justin Germano (0-2) into the Cleveland bullpen in center field, snapping the Twins' 21-inning scoreless streak. Thome returned to the lineup after missing two games because of a mild abdominal strain and was 0 for 3 with a walk until hitting his fifth homer in his last four games.
ROYALS 8, WHITE SOX 2: At Chicago, Kyle Davies pitched six solid innings, Gregor Blanco and Kila Ka'aihue each had three hits and Kansas City snapped a four-game losing streak. Blanco and Ka'aihue each scored two runs as Kansas City roughed up Edwin Jackson (3-1) on its way to 18 hits. Davies (8-9) allowed one run and five hits, winning consecutive starts for the first time this season. Paul Konerko hit his 34th homer for the White Sox.
ORIOLES 5, TIGERS 3: At Detroit, Adam Jones had four hits and Jeremy Guthrie pitched seven shutout innings to help Baltimore get the victory. Brian Roberts and Felix Pie had three hits apiece for Baltimore. Guthrie (10-13) gave up five hits — all in the first three innings — and one walk. He is 3-0 with a sparkling 0.81 ERA in his last three starts.
ATHLETICS 4, RED SOX 3: At Oakland, Calif., Rajai Davis hit a tiebreaking RBI triple in the seventh inning and Andrew Bailey struck out David Ortiz with the tying run on second to end the game, preserving Oakland's victory. Adrian Beltre doubled in Victor Martinez with two out in the ninth before Ortiz looked at strike three, giving Bailey his 23rd save in 26 chances.
ANGELS 7, MARINERS 4: At Anaheim, Calif., Hideki Matsui homered and Torii Hunter had four RBIs to lead the Angels to the victory over Felix Hernandez and the Mariners. Ervin Santana (16-9) tied a career high for victories, allowing three runs and five hits over 7 1/3 innings.
RANGERS 7, YANKEES 6: At Arlington, Texas: Mariano Rivera blew a save opportunity as Ian Kinsler had the game-tying RBI in the bottom of the ninth, and Texas won it when Rivera hit Jeff Franceour with a pitch with the bases loaded. Vlad Guerrero was 3-for-4 with a couple of RBIs for the Rangers.