(St. Petersburg) Chris Bassitt became the second American League pitcher to reach 15 wins and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-2 Friday in a duel between the top two teams drafted in the American.

Bassitt (15-8) gave up two runs and six hits, but struck out eight batters in six-plus innings of work.

“That’s how we have to win these baseball games,” Bassitt said. If our pitchers keep us in the game, those kinds of games can happen where we’re just going to try to outplay you. »

Jordan Romano replaced Jordan Hicks in the eighth inning, and allowed a walk to Isaac Paredes. He then retired Curtis Mead on a groundout to preserve the Blue Jays’ 4-2 lead. The right-handed pitcher earned his 36th save in 39 opportunities.

Daulton Varsho homered in a two-run ninth inning for the Blue Jays.

Rays star outfielder Randy Arozarena left the game after the fourth inning with right quadriceps strain. He hit a double in the first inning and scored the first run of the game on Harold Ramírez’s single.

“We still have a long way to go to get to where we want to be, but I think we’re definitely on the right path,” Bassitt said.

Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was back in the team’s lineup for the start of this series against the Rays.

Guerrero, who missed much of his team’s previous two games due to knee discomfort, was issued two walks in three at-bats. He crossed home plate once.