Rays make a mess after solid start by Zach Elfin, lose to Blue Jays

TORONTO — If this was Zach Eflin’s final start for the Rays before being traded, he went out in a tough way.

Eflin battled through a 30-pitch, six-batter first inning to last into the sixth, allowing only two runs.

The Rays eventually got back even, but reliever Jason Adam allowed four runs with two outs in a messy eighth and the Rays lost, 6-3, Wednesday at Rogers Centre.

The loss dropped the Rays to 51-51, the staggering 24th time they have been at .500 this season. It could drop them to as many as 5 1/2 games from the final American League wild-card spot.

The Jays jumped out to an early 2-0 lead.

They got one run in the first when Spencer Horwitz doubled off Eflin with one out and scored on a single by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. They added another in the third on a two-out homer by Guerrero, his fifth in his last six games, 11th in 26 and 18th this season.

The Rays eventually got even.

After going 12 up and 12 down through the first four innings vs. Jays starter Yariel Rodriguez, the Rays got their first baserunner when Randy Arozarena doubled to lead off the fifth. Josh Lowe promptly singled him in.

The Rays had a chance for more when Jose Caballero drove a 1-1 pitch deep to left, but Daulton Varsho — who robbed Brandon Lowe on Tuesday — made a leaping catch at the wall.

The Rays got their second run in the sixth. Richie Palacios drew a one-out walk and stole second, then Brandon Lowe walked off reliever Brendon Little with two outs. Arozarena followed with an RBI single.

The Jays rally in the eighth started benignly, as George Springer walked with one out and stole second. One out later, the Rays intentionally walked Guerrero. Justin Turner then laced a liner toward third that Caballero seemed to have a play on but couldn’t grab. That scored one run. A single down the right-field line by Varsho made it 4-2.

It got worse from there, as an Adam pitch that eluded catcher Ben Rortvedt (ruled a passed ball) scored another run. Then, normally sure-handed shortstop Taylor Walls misplayed a popup in shallow left with Arozarena closing in on him.

Eflin has been the subject of trade speculation, given his hefty increase in salary. He’s due to make $18 million for 2025 after making $11 million in 2023 and this season. The Astros, Braves and Cardinals are among the teams expected to have strong interest, with the deadline at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

After throwing 30 pitches in the first inning, Eflin became impressively efficient, needing just 55 more to get two outs into the sixth. He allowed the two runs and six hits while striking out four.