The red-hot Toronto Blue Jays take aim at their seventh straight win on Monday when they open a three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre. [url=https://www.cheapredsjerseys.us/]Cincinnati Reds Gear[/url] . Toronto has moved two games up on the New York Yankees in the American League

The red-hot Toronto Blue Jays take aim at their seventh straight win on Monday when they open a three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre. Cincinnati Reds Gear . Toronto has moved two games up on the New York Yankees in the American League East and is atop the division this late into a season for the first time since July 6, 2000. The Jays enter this matchup on the heels of an impressive three-game sweep of the AL West-leading Oakland Athletics. On Sunday, J.A. Happ tossed seven shutout innings, Jose Bautista knocked in two runs and Toronto rolled, 3-1. Happ (4-1) scattered four hits, walked three and struck out seven, and Edwin Encarnacion homered in the Blue Jays ninth win in 10 tries. "Were playing together as a team, pitching good," Blue Jays shortstop Jose Reyes said. "Good defense behind the guys, timely hitting, winning teams do that kind of stuff." The Blue Jays lead the majors with 70 home runs and have homered in eight straight contests. They havent homered in nine consecutive contests since April 27-May 5, 2012. One player who wouldnt mind a few longballs on Monday is righty Drew Hutchison, wholl be shooting for his third straight win. Hutchison followed up his first-ever shutout by beating the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday to improve to 3-3 with a 3.45 ERA. Hutchison has split two starts versus the Rays, pitching to a 5.79 ERA in those meetings. Tampa, meanwhile, will counter with veteran lefty Erik Bedard, who is 2-2 with a 2.63 ERA. Bedard has filled in nicely for the Rays in the wake of injuries to Matt Moore and Jeremy Hellickson and is 2-1 with a 0.96 ERA over his last five starts. Bedard, though, absorbed the loss to Oakland on Wednesday, as he surrendered three runs (1 earned) and just one hit - a home run - over 5 1/3 innings. He also walked three batters. Tampa comes into Mondays opener playing its best baseball of the season as well. The Rays swept the Boston Red Sox over the weekend and have won four in a row. Tampa completed the sweep on Sunday, as Sean Rodriguezs three-run, pinch-hit homer helped power a five-run seventh inning, and Tampa Bay sent the Red Sox to their 10th consecutive loss with an 8-5 decision. Evan Longoria went 3-for-5 with a homer and a pair of runs scored, and Yunel Escobar drove in two while setting off a benches-clearing incident late in the contest. The contentious victory was also Joe Maddons 700th as Rays manager. Joel Peralta (2-3), who blew a two-run lead in the seventh but was rescued by the Tampa offense, was credited with the win. Leading by five in the seventh, Escobar stole third and the Red Sox bench started jawing at him from the dugout. He talked back and started walking toward their bench, before Johnny Gomes ran in from left field and both benches cleared. Gomes, Escobar and Rodriguez were all ejected after the incident. "What was the score, 8-3? It was a five-run lead in the seventh inning. So thats not even nearly as egregious as last year in the playoffs," Maddon said of the incident. Tampa has split four games with the Jays this season. Cincinnati Reds Store . Cammalleri suffered a concussion in the Flames 2-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. The 31-year-old forward did not travel with the team to Carolina. Custom Cincinnati Reds Jerseys . CEO Steve Koonin on Tuesday told the Hawks flagship radio station that he made the decision to discipline Ferry but allowed him to keep his job managing the team. He did not say what the punishment was, but noted that he relied on a law firms three-month investigation of Ferry and him describing Deng as someone who has a little African in him. https://www.cheapredsjerseys.us/ . 1 overall pick in the draft by the Houston Texans, is recovering from sports hernia surgery.TORONTO -- Marcus Ball had to take the long road to realizing a childhood dream. The former Toronto Argonauts linebacker will finally get a shot at cracking an NFL roster after signing a three-year deal with the New Orleans Saints. Ball, wholl turn 27 in July, was undrafted out of Memphis and had to look north to get his start in pro football. "Im very blessed," Ball said during a telephone interview. "Its a fortunate opportunity to be able to achieve one of my ultimate goals and something Ive dreamt about since I was a kid starting out playing football. "This doesnt guarantee anything. I still have to go and fight for a position and spot on the roster but Im looking forward to the challenge." The six-foot-one, 209-pound Ball spent two seasons with the Argos, helping them win the 100th Grey Cup in 12. He recorded 142 tackles, seven sacks, four interceptions -- returning two for TDs -- and three fumble recoveries. Ball is expected to compete for a spot as a backup safety with the Saints and also play special teams. The club has two other safeties -- Jairus Byrd and Kenny Vaccaro -- on its roster. But Ball said his time in Toronto has prepared him well to compete for an NFL roster spot. "Being in a professional system and figuring out how to be a pro and learning how to be a pro in Toronto really helped me," he said. "Being in such a great organization in terms of ownership, (GM) Jim Barker, (former defensive co-ordinator) Chris Jones and (head coach) Scott Milanovich and being part of that championship mentality taught me a lot." Barker released Ball in February even though Ball was entering the option year of his CFL deal. Ball said hell forever be grateful to the Argos GM for allowing him to pursue his NFL dream. "That just speaks volumes about the kind of guy and person Jim Barker is," Ball said. "He has always believed in me, he has always been there for me and treated me like his own, as has the entire Argos staff and front office, thats what I really appreciated. "This is bitter-sweet because I love Toronto and will always consider Toronto home. Its tough to leave but now I have the opportunity to accomplish my dream." Dan Vertlieb, Balls Vancouver-based agent, echoed his clients sentiments. "Marcus is incredibly grateful to Jim Barker and the Toronto Argonauts for allowing him this opportunity," Vertlieb said. "Jim, in particular, has been a leader and visionary on this issue and in doing so has given Marcus the opportunity to best provide for his family. "Its not something that will soon be forgotten -- Marcus will be forever grateful for his time with the Argos." Last fall, receiver/kick-returner Chris Williams -- also a Vertlieb client -- became embroiled in a dispute with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats regarding his desire to pursue NFL opportunities while still under contract. Williams went to arbitration to be released from the final year of his CFL deal beffore ultimately reaching an agreement with the Ticats that allowed him to sign as a free agent with the Saints. Wholesale Reds Jerseys. Williams is now with the Chicago Bears. Ball is the third Toronto player to sign in the NFL after being released by the club, joining defensive back Nieko Thorpe (Oakland Raiders) and receiver Dontrelle Inman (San Diego Chargers). Thorpe also had time remaining on his CFL deal but Inman was released in December, just over a month before he was poised to become a free agent. Shortly after Torontos 12 Grey Cup victory, Barker released defensive lineman Armond Armstead, allowing him to sign with the NFLs New England Patriots. "Every situation is different," Barker said. "Its my job to win Grey Cups and I do whatever I have to do in order to win Grey Cups. "Ive never let a player go just because Im a nice guy. I do whats in the best interests of this football organization." Barker praised Ball for the contributions he made to the Argos. "Obviously, Marcus Ball is a great football player and you always have room and find a place for great football players," Barker said. "He always brings great energy and hopefully he can go and have a very successful career there." Balls departure adds to whats already been a whirlwind off-season for Toronto. Other players leaving include cornerback Patrick Watkins (free agent, Edmonton), linebacker Jason Pottinger (expansion draft, Ottawa), offensive lineman Joe Eppele (expansion draft, Ottawa), defensive lineman David Lee (free agent, Saskatchewan) and quarterback Zach Collaros (free agent, Hamilton). Defensive tackle Khalif Mitchell was also released to pursue NFL opportunities and remains a free agent. There was a revamping of the coaching staff as well with the departures of Jones and special-teams co-ordinator Mike OShea (head coach, Winnipeg) and assistants Steve McAddo, Jason Shivers, Ed Philion and Craig Davoren (all with Jones to Edmonton). The front office wasnt immune either as player-personnel director Ted Goveia left to become Winnipegs assistant GM. "This league is about change and either you prepare and can handle it or youre not going to be in league very long," Barker said. "The one thing I feel like Ive learned is you adapt to the situation you have. "Wed love everybody back but were dealing in a SMS (salary management system) world and it is what it is. Were proud that two of the three new head coaches came from our coaching staff because it means we have the right kind of people." And the nature of the business, Barker said, is always planning for the day when quality people within the organization get the opportunity to shine elsewhere. "Youve got to have a progression plan and to me, thats part of what Scott and I do," Barker said. "Well talk about replacements for these guys that are here now . . . its all about preparation. "You have to prepare for a worst-case scenario." ' ' '