ST. PETERSBURG – The Tampa Bay Rays went out with a bang Sunday afternoon, closing out their 2016 campaign with a 12-3 victory against the playoff-bound Toronto Blue Jays at Tropicana Field.
Joey Butler hit a grand slam and the Rays jumped on Mark Buerhle for nine first-inning runs to complete their season with an 80-82 record under first-year manager Kevin Cash.
Matt Moore (3-4) gave up one run and four hits over six innings for the Rays, who were 77-85 last year with current Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon.
Buehrle failed to become the fifth major leaguer to pitch 200 innings or more in 15 consecutive seasons, and the AL East champion Blue Jays missed out on home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.