McClanahan sharp as Rays snap losing streak, beat Jays 6-2

TORONTO -- — Shane McClanahan allowed one run in seven innings, lowering his AL-leading ERA to 1.74, Wander Franco and Isaac Paredes hit solo home runs, and the Tampa Bay Rays snapped a season-long four-game losing streak by beating the Toronto Blue Jays 6-2 in Game 1 of their doubleheader Saturday.

Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman left after he was hit in the right ankle by Franco’s 100 mph line drive in the second. X-rays were negative. The Blue Jays said Gausman had a right ankle contusion.

“We’ll see how he feels tomorrow and go from there,” manager Charlie Montoyo said.

McClanahan (9-3) allowed three hits, walked one and struck out 10, including five of the final six batters he faced.

“He’s a stud,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said of McClanahan. “He’s doing it against a team that doesn’t strike out very much. Just so impressed at the way Mac goes about his business, just stays locked in. It felt like he probably got a bit better as the game went on.”

McClanahan reached double digits in strikeouts for the fourth time. He also struck out 10 in his previous start, June 26 against Pittsburgh.

“Even when I fell behind I still tried to just compete in the zone and let them hit it,” McClanahan said.

McClanahan is the first pitcher in big league history with 19 or fewer earned runs and 133 or more strikeouts through his first 16 starts of a season.

“He’s one of the best pitchers in baseball for sure,” Montoyo said.

McClanahan has not allowed more than one earned run in nine of his past 10 starts.

“It’s incredible,” Franco said through a translator. “I hope he continues to go well.”

Javy Guerra got three outs and Phoenix Sanders finished as the Rays avoided their longest losing streak in a year, a five-game slump from June 27 to July 3, 2021.

The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the first when Bo Bichette doubled and came around on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s base hit.

“After that, there wasn’t a ton going on for (McClanahan),” Cash said.

The Rays loaded the bases in the second but didn’t score. Batting with two outs, Franco laced a ball that drilled Gausman and ricocheted to catcher Gabriel Moreno, who retired Franco at first.

Gausman stumbled forward and fell face down in front of the mound after being struck. He received attention from the trainer before getting to his feet and slowly walking off the field.

Right-hander Casey Lawrence, who joined the Blue Jays as the 27th man Saturday, replaced Gausman in the third. Lawrence (0-1) allowed six runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Paredes homered in the third, his 12th, and Franco connected in the sixth, his fifth.

Randy Arozarena hit an RBI single in the fifth and Rays catcher René Pinto added a two-run single.

Yandy Diaz made it 6-1 with an RBI single in the eighth.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Blue Jays: RH Yimi Garcia (back) felt fine after throwing a bullpen session Saturday. Garcia has been out since June 21.

ROSTER MOVES

Rays: Tampa Bay optioned OF RH David McKay to Triple-A Durham and recalled RH Dusten Knight from the taxi squad. The Rays activated RH Drew Rasmussen (left hamstring) off the IL as the 27th man for the doubleheader, and added RH Cristofer Ogando to the taxi squad.

Blue Jays: Following Game 1, Toronto optioned RH Max Castillo to Triple-A Buffalo and recalled RH Thomas Hatch from Buffalo to start Game 2.

VLAD AND DAD

Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr. threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Vlad Jr. on the day the Blue Jays handed out a dual bobblehead doll featuring the former Expos star and his slugging son.

JAYS LAND BANDA

Toronto acquired LH Anthony Banda from Pittsburgh for cash. The Pirates designated Banda for assignment last week. To make room on the 40-man roster, RH Julian Merryweather (strained left abdominal) was transferred to the 60-day IL.

UP NEXT

Rasmussen (5-3, 3.41) starts Game 2 against Hatch (4-4, 5.12 at Triple-A).

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