Aranda Powers Rays to Victory: Rays 1, Blue Jays 0

The Tampa Bay Rays love close games. With their 1-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays Friday night, they improved their MLB-best record in games decided by two runs or fewer to 51-32.

The Rays had an early opportunity to score in the bottom of the first. Yandy Díaz led off with a double to center, immediately putting pressure on Toronto's starter, Jose Berrios. A passed ball allowed Díaz to advance to third with one out, setting the stage for an early lead. However, the Blue Jays' defense held firm. Junior Caminero popped out in foul territory, and Jonathan Aranda struck out to end the inning, leaving Díaz stranded.

In the bottom of the third, the Rays threatened again. Díaz drew a walk, and Caminero followed with a double, placing runners on second and third with just one out. But once again, the Blue Jays' defense rose to the occasion. Jonathan Aranda hit a grounder to first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who quickly threw home to catch Díaz attempting to score. Ernie Clement then made a highlight-worthy play to end the inning, making a stop on a groundball headed to left field and making a throw while falling away from second to second base to close out the inning.

Toronto also had their chances. In the top of the fifth, Davis Schneider walked, and Leo Jiménez was hit by a pitch, putting two on with no outs. The Rays made a pitching change, bringing in Kevin Kelly to replace Tyler Alexander after Luis De Los Santos was called out on strikes. Kelly got the Blue Jays to pop up to third, ending the inning without any damage and maintaining the scoreless tie.

The tie was finally broken in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Jonathan Aranda stepped up and launched a towering fly ball over the right-center field wall for his fourth homer of the season. The Rays took a 1-0 lead, a run that felt monumental in such a tightly contested game.

The Blue Jays didn't go quietly. Pinch-hitter Nathan Lukes singled at the top of the seventh with two outs, and Jonatan Clase followed suit, putting runners on first and second. A wild pitch advanced them to second and third, making things interesting. But Manuel Rodríguez, who had just taken over on the mound this inning, kept his composure. He got George Springer to ground out to second, ending the inning and preserving the slim lead.

In the top of the eighth, Toronto threatened once more. Ernie Clement drew a walk and stole second, putting the tying run in scoring position with no outs but would get out trying to advance to third two at-bats later.

The ninth inning was all about closing it out. Hunter Bigge took the mound for the Rays, tasked with sealing the victory. He delivered under pressure, striking out Davis Schneider and pinch-hitter Addison Barger. Nathan Lukes then grounded out to shortstop Taylor Walls, and the Rays celebrated a hard-fought win.

The Rays are five wins away from salvaging the season and finishing .500 with an ultra-long shot to make the postseason still possible.