Shane Baz, Rays blank AL East-leading Jays to earn split

Tampa Bay starting pitcher Shane Baz crafted five scoreless innings, Chandler Simpson had his second straight three-hit game and the Rays split their four-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays 4-0 on Thursday afternoon.

After being rocked in a 6-4 loss to the Chicago Cubs last Friday, Baz (10-12) was 1-9 with a 6.21 ERA in his past 13 starts dating back to the beginning of July.

However, the right-hander rebounded with a sharp outing, allowing just two hits while whiffing four and walking one for the Rays (75-78), who had played five consecutive one-run games.

Simpson went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Carson Williams was 2-for-4 with a solo homer and two runs and Jake Mangum produced two hits and a stolen base.

The American League East-leading Blue Jays (89-64) got a hit apiece from Nathan Lukes, Daulton Varsho, Ernie Clement (double) and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. They had only three runners in scoring position and were blanked for the sixth time.

After a lengthy second inning, starter Chris Bassitt (11-9) lasted just 4 1/3 innings and surrendered three runs on eight hits. He fanned three, walked two and hit a batter.

Following consecutive singles by Hunter Feduccia, Williams and Bob Seymour to fill the bases with two outs in the second, Simpson looped a single into shallow center for a 2-0 lead. Brandon Lowe then singled to right -- Tampa Bay's fifth straight hit -- to plate Seymour.

After a first-inning single by Lukes, Baz retired 11 of the next 12 batters into the fifth before Varsho's single, but Toronto produced little else.

Williams put the home side up 4-0 with a homer to left, his fourth of the season, leading off the sixth off Eric Lauer.

Rays relievers Griffin Jax, Kevin Kelly, Garrett Cleavinger and Bryan Baker each fired a scoreless inning to complete the club's 11th shutout.

Tampa Bay will host a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox starting Friday. Meanwhile, Toronto visits the Kansas City Royals for three games.