by Steve Carney

Tampa Bay took what they learned in the ninth inning of Thursday night's game, and continued the process Friday.

The Rays bats poured it on both Toronto starter Carlos Villanueva and the Jays bullpen, tallying in five innings to handily defeat the Blue Jays 12-1.

Tampa Bay started in the first with a solo homer by Ben Zobrist to take the lead, and added four more in the second thanks to a two-run triple by Carlos Pena, followed by a two-run homer from Jose Molina.

The Rays added two more in the third when a double by Luke Scott plated Evan Longoria and Matt Joyce for a 7-0 lead, and an eighth run in the fourth inning thanks to an RBI single by Jeff Keppinger.

Meanwhile, James Shields cruised through the Toronto, allowing just five hits and walking one while striking out nine to earn his 15th win on the season.

The Rays continued the onslaught in the sixth, as Zobrist led off with a singleand moved to third on a double by Longoria.  A groundout by Joyce plated Zobrist for a 9-0 lead, and after Keppinger drew a walk, Scott's second double of the day brought in both runners to make it 11-0.  A single by Pena put runners at the corners, and Molina's fielder's choice allowed Scott to push the lead to 12-0.

Toronto finally got on the board in the eighth off reliever Brandon Gomes, as Colby Rasmus singled with one out, moved to second on pinch-hitter Yunel Escobar's single, and scored on a double by pinch-hitter Yan Gomes.

Tampa Bay has now won three straight after dropping seven of their previous eight.  The can extend their winning streak to four games with a win Saturday, as Matt Moore (10-11, 3.88 ERA) takes on Brandon Morrow (8-6, 2.98 ERA).  First pitch is scheduled for 7:10, with pregame on 620 WDAE starting at 6:30.