The Tampa Bay Rays swept the Toronto Blue Jays in a three game series at Tropicana Field from Tuesday July 7th – Thursday July 9th 2009.

The three losses were all heart breakers for the Jays, as they tried to make ground in the American League East and wild card races. The Jays lost all three games to Tampa by one run.

Tuesday, Blue Jays rookie Marc Rzepczynski made his major league debut against James Shields who started for Tampa.

Marc Rzepczynski was a big surprise for the Jays on Tuesday. Will he get another start?

The rookie faired well against a tough Tampa offense.

Rzepczynski’s final pitching line: (6.0IP, 2 H, 1R, 1ER, 4BB, 7K).

The Jays bullpen lost the game in extra innings, when Brandon League gave up a two run home run to Tampa’s struggling designated hitter Pat Burrell.

Wednesday, the Jays sent big left hander Brian Tallet to the mound to square off against Tampa left hander Scott Kazmir.

Tallet has been struggling for the Jays and Wednesday was no different.

Tallet was rocked by Tampa.

Tallet’s final pitching line: (3.0IP, 11H, 8R, 8ER, 2BB, 4K).

Thankfully, Scott Kazmir did not pitch very well himself (6.1IP, 9H, 7R, 7ER, 2BB, 4K) and the Jays were able to keep the game close until the ninth inning.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, returning reliever Scott Downs gave up the game-winning hit to the hot hitting Ben “Zorilla” Zobrist, who had a big game (3-5, 1HR, 4RBI) for Tampa.

Two heartbreaking losses in two nights for the Jays.

Finally, in the final game of the three game set, things looked promising for the Jays as they sent their ace Roy Halladay to the hill for the afternoon game.

Halladay would square off against former number one overall draft pick David Price, who would start for Tampa.

Halladay pitched his heart out, but the Jays did not provide Halladay with the offense needed to take home the win.

Tampa ended the three game series with a 3-2 win, grabbing a sweep over a struggling Toronto Blue Jays squad.

Halladay’s final pitching line for the game: (7.0IP, 9H, 3R, 3ER, 0BB, 8K).

Price picked up the win with a final pitching line of: (6.0IP, 6H, 1R, 1ER, 1BB, 7K).

The game had to be delayed for twenty minutes, as a thunderstorm knocked out lights at Tropicana Field.

One positive that could come from the Jays three game series in Tampa was the continued success of Scott Rolen.

Rolen is on pace to break Shawn Green’s all time Blue Jays hit streak record of 28 games, Rolen currently sits at 25 games.

BJ Ryan is no longer a Blue Jay. He was released Wednesday.

The “Lind Your Vote” campaign set up by Toronto to send designated hitter/outfielder Adam Lind to the All Star game fell short on Thursday, as Lind was beaten out by Detroit third baseman Brandon Inge for the final spot.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino won the vote for the National League side of things.

In addition, former Toronto Blue Jays closer BJ Ryan was released from his monstrous contract on Wednesday.

Ryan is still owed more than ten million dollars of his salary next season, but in the end, the Jays save money, and rid themselves of a reliever who has been next to useless for them all season.

The Jays are in Baltimore tonight to battle the American League East rival Orioles, before hitting the All-Star break.

Left-hander Brett Cecil takes the mound for the Jays against Baltimore right-hander Jason Berken.

Toronto manager Cito Gaston will miss the first two games of the series while he attends the funeral of his sister Mattie Clarke in Texas.

Bench coach Brian Butterfield will take over the managing duties in Gaston’s absence.