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TB@OAK: Cobb limits A's to one run over seven in win

Pitching has been the key to the Rays' success this season, and they have stepped it up a notch since the All-Star break, sporting the best team ERA in the Majors over that stretch.

Right-hander James Shields was solid in Tuesday's series opener against the Blue Jays -- going eight strong innings for his 10th win in the Rays' 4-1 victory.

Right-hander Alex Cobb will look to duplicate that performance on Wednesday when the American League East rivals continue their three-game set at Tropicana Field.

Tampa Bay's offense also clicked into gear as it snapped a 22-inning scoreless drought with a Sean Rodriguez RBI single in the second inning of Tuesday's win.

Blue Jays manager John Farrell knows exactly what to expect from these Rays. Toronto hasn't won a series against Tampa Bay since August 2010.

"They're a very good team that plays very confidently here. They pitch extremely well, we know we're going to get those elements thrown at us," Farrell said.

Cobb has settled in nicely over his past two starts after a couple of rough outings. He has gone seven innings in consecutive starts and picked up a win -- his first win since July 8 -- against Oakland his last time out.

The right-hander, who will be facing Toronto for the first time in his career, believes he has been locating his fastball better recently as a result of more balance in his lower half.

"I feel good right now. I went through a couple struggles for a couple games here or there, [but] that's gonna happen here in the big leagues," said Cobb, who is 5-8 with a 4.60 ERA. "As long as you learn from that and try not to make the same mistakes, you're fine."

Toronto will counter with Carlos Villanueva, who rejoined the club on Tuesday after being away for a few days tending to a personal matter.

Villanueva started the season as a long-man in the bullpen, but has filled in admirably in the rotation. He takes a 6-1 record and 3.19 ERA into the start.

Rays: Longoria back with Rays
Evan Longoria returned to the Rays' lineup for the first time since April 30 in Tuesday's series opener and went 1-for-3 with a sacrifice fly for his 20th RBI of the season.

The All-Star third baseman missed three months with a partially torn left hamstring and is a welcome addition to a team that has been among the worst in the league offensively.

Longoria served as the designated hitter, which is where he will continue to play for the time being as he's eased back into game action. There is no timetable for his return to the hot corner.

• Fernando Rodney recorded his 33rd save of the season in Tuesday's victory and set a club record for a Rays reliever by pitching his 22nd consecutive scoreless inning.

Blue Jays: Bautista to go for more tests
Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista is set to undergo another MRI on his ailing left wrist in the coming days.

The All-Star, who was eligible to come of the 15-day disabled list Aug. 1, injured his wrist during an at-bat against the Yankees on July 16, and had to shut down his rehab after experiencing some discomfort swinging on Thursday.

Bautista is hitting .244 with 27 home runs and 65 RBIs in 90 games this season.

• Colby Rasmus returned to the Blue Jays' lineup on Tuesday after missing two games with a strained groin and went 2-for-3 -- including his 20th homer of the season.

Worth noting
• Rodney matched Orioles closer Jim Johnson for the Major League lead in saves with his 33rd on Tuesday and is just four off his career-best mark of 37 set in 2009 as a member of the Tigers.

• Blue Jays right-hander Chad Jenkins made his Major League debut on Tuesday and became the 31st pitcher Toronto has used this season, a club record. Jenkins also became the 50th player to don a Blue Jays uniform in 2012, which is tops in the Majors.

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