Kiermaier steals the show as Rays take series from Jays.

Cobb exits early but bullpen and Kiermaier secure series win.

Pitching in his first game off the 10-day DL (turf toe), Alex Cobb would be looking for his team-leading 10^th win of the season in the finale against the Blue Jays. Though he would exit early, Kevin Kiermaier and the Rays bullpen would have his back.

Toronto would send out Tom Koehler to make his first start in a Jays uniform.

With the bases loaded in the bottom of the second, the Rays would strike first as Daniel Robertson would line out to left driving home Corey Dickerson on a sac fly.

In Kiermaier they trust.

The fifth inning would provide quite the show for the crowd at the Trop. A show headlined by one Kevin Kiermaier. With two aboard for Steve Cishek in relief of Cobb, it seemed like Josh Donaldson would hit a two-run double just down the left field line. The ball seemingly caught a piece of the foul line. Upon review – it would be overturned and the lead would be in tact. Donaldson would then walk, loading the bases. Kiermaier would take away not one but two run-scoring hits in platinum-glove style in the inning. The second was on a sinking fly ball to right center field off the bat of Justin Smoak. Kiermaier would lay completely out to make a diving catch and retire the inning shockingly unscathed.

Amazing @KKiermaier39 grab No. 2. pic.twitter.com/ict9Nxbahu

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) August 24, 2017

The Rays bullpen combination of Cishek, Brad Boxberger, and Sergio Romo would shut down the Jays bats.

With two away in the bottom of the eighth, the Rays would get some insurance.

Corey Dickseron would hit a bomb to straight away center for his 24^th home run and a 2-0 Rays lead.

Despite a lead off single, Alex Colome would secure his AL-leading and career-high 38^th save in the ninth.

NEXT UP:

A 10-day, nine-game road trip beginning in St. Louis Friday against the Cardinals (64-62). Rays will send Jake Odorizzi (6-7, 4.74) to the hill for game one.

QUOTABLES:

• Cobb on how he felt after being pulled early: “I felt probably the best I’ve felt in a long time.”
• Romo on his outing: “It’s just extremely gratifying to have a spot at the table.”

CRAZY STATS OF THE DAY:

• The Rays improved to 10-51 when being outhit by their opponent.
• Then there’s this beauty about Kevin Kiermaier:

Kevin Kiermaier is the 4th OF to hit 10+ HRs and post a dWAR over 1 in four of his first five MLB seasons https://t.co/s3Y0748Gq5 pic.twitter.com/zUaCWhUUp8

— Baseball Reference (@baseball_ref) August 24, 2017